6 minute read
Staff Shout-Outs
“PATIENT LETTER TO 5TH FLOOR STAFF AT MHST
To all the nurses, PCAs and staff who have cared for Virginia this last month (Beth, Michelle, Sam, Natasha,
Danila, Ari, Felicia, Sulema, Aunjulie, Robert, Oni, Anna, Isaiah, Lauren, Amber, Rafael, Jacob, Jeanne, Ketya, Nia, Veronica, Brandon, Melissa,
Nicole and Yancy): We want to sincerely thank you for all that you have done to care for Virginia during these very long four weeks. We were continually impressed by your professionalism and comforted by your kindness and empathy. Perhaps you do not need to be told, but it needs to be said: You are such good people. But more than just being good, you do good. Every day. You let your goodness touch others. You are an extension of God’s care, an extension of his healing hands and heart. You are truly God’s angels here on earth.
Please know that we will remember you. You will be in our prayers, as you continue to face all your challenges with dignity, grace and compassion. Thank you. Sincerely,
Peter and Virginia Canestaro
AMY CAMERON,
Clinical Educator for our non-ICU cardiac service lines, has been with us less than a year and has very quickly excelled in her role! She has been recognized by all of her education teammates, as well as her nursing leaders. Everyone wonders how she does all that she does because she seems to do it all from supporting her CPCU, Cardiac Tele, and Cath Lab’s staff education needs, to also leading her education team with the PAL program, Orientation organization, and ANPD poster creation. We are very grateful she chose to join our team!
- Jennifer Shelby, Market Director of Clinical Excellence, Methodist Hospital and Methodist Children’s Hospital
RAMONA MILLER
is a CNC on the Neuro floor. We had a patient come back after his stay with us just to say thank you to her. He and his mom were so grateful for the compassionate care she provided, they wanted to show her that he is doing well and they feel she had a hand in that.
- Xiomara Buchhorn, Director Medical Surgery Nursing | Stone Oak
MARISA MEDRANO NATALIE TORRES
is a strong OR Circulator who goes above and beyond for her team on a consistent basis. She is an excellent resource and is well respected by her team. Natalie handles critical situations with ease and is an example to all.
- Monique Van De Walle BSN, RN, Director of Surgical Services, Methodist Children’s Hospital
“JOHNATHON LEWIS
is a ‘homegrown’ Respiratory Therapist within my team. Johnathon started as a Monitor Tech back in 2020, and eventually, we brought him on as an RT Extern. Johnathon worked toward becoming a registered therapist, and after passing both board exams, he joined our team as an RT. He’s turned out to be one of the best RTs my team has had. He is extremely dedicated, committed, and hard-working. I am so proud of how far he’s come, and I’m so grateful to have such a great person on our team. Johnathon is one of a kind.
- Andrew Garza Director of Respiratory Therapy at Methodist Hospital | Atascosa
started as a brand new PCT on 02/18/2019 and has been attending nursing school. She is now a new RN in the residency program at Northeast Methodist. Her journey from the beginning has been here with our department, she never left Methodist!
- Kate Cherubin, Director of Cardiovascular Thoracic Surgery | Northeast
“Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant is proud to share that JAMES “SMITTY” SMITH
was the recipient of the Texas Association of Addiction Professionals (TAAP) 2021 Hall of Fame Award. This award is in recognition of Smitty’s “body of work in the field of addiction counseling, prevention, education, intervention and treatment, and his dedicated service to TAAP and his outreach to the recovering community”. Smitty is only one of 24 recipients and the First African American to be inducted into TAAP’s Hall of Fame. Smitty began his career as a Chemical Dependency Counselor while serving in the United States Army. After 23 years of service, he eventually joined the Behavioral Health Department at Methodist Hospital | Specialty and Transplant in 2000, leading the department’s specialized substance abuse intensive outpatient program since. Throughout his years, he has served on several local and state TAAP Boards and Committees in various roles, including President of the San Antonio chapter and Executive Council for the State. He is currently a member of the Cultural Diversity Committee. Smitty has provided educational training for organizations across the state, including the University of Houston and Texas A&M University. Smitty’s preferred treatment approach is evidence-based practice, and he particularly enjoys the family aspect of our program stating, “I want the family to know that in addition to the patient, I am supportive of them and want them to understand that they aren’t responsible for the patient’s addiction”. He continues, “I enjoy what I do and I believe in what I do. The patients make it worthwhile”. In his free time, Smitty enjoys spending time with his wife, traveling to see his family, including his son, daughter-in-law, and grandson, and reading.
JOZEF PIOTROWSKI
is a jack-of-all-trades and works in both the Nurse Administrator role as well as the Rapid Response RN role. He has been focusing on several performance improvement projects to enhance the RRT process and provide better care for our patients. He always has the best attitude and is so flexible with his schedule to meet the needs of the team!
- Crissy Womble, Director of Clinical Operations, Methodist Hospital
“I remember the day I interviewed
MARK RANET,
or “Mark R,” as I call him. I saw him as a calm, determined, and dedicated person eager to join the team and work hard for his patients. Patients have recognized him as calm yet firm, encouraging them to do more and attain their goals. Recently we had a patient whose sister was getting married. Though the patient could not attend the wedding, Mark was determined to find a way for his patient to participate in the wedding. After asking the patient’s sister for a Zoom link, Mark helped set it up in his room to sit and watch. On the wedding day, Mark came in to work with festive signage, a white shirt, and a black bow tie for the patient to wear. When the wedding started, the patient was nicely dressed in his shirt and tie and had signage in the background for the festive occasion; that is who Mark is!
Mark is also in charge of our department’s “Fun committee.” He organizes fun events, food, recognizes holidays or birthday parties, and “just because” events! He does this willingly and without complaints. He also won the “Most Grateful staff member” award in our department for all his efforts to make the department a loving and caring environment for all! Mark is also one of three employees who have spearheaded our Total Joint Program launching soon. I am very grateful for Mark, and I’m glad that the patient and his family recognized him too!
