UF Health St. Johns

Linda Grantham, RN, has been awarded the UF Health St. Johns DAISY Award for Q3 2024! This international honor celebrates nurses who go above and beyond in providing exceptional care. Linda’s patient, Barbara, shared how her nurse’s kindness and regular check-ins made all the difference during her stay on the 8th floor of UF Health Flagler Hospital. From ensuring comfort to sending her off with a heartfelt hug and words of encouragement, Linda truly embodies the spirit of compassionate care. Grantham describes receiving the DAISY Award as “truly an honor,” and it reminds us that exemplary nursing isn’t just about medical skills—it's also about compassion and support.

UF Health Flagler Hospital is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its chaplain program, a key part of patient care since 1999. Over the past 25 years, hospital chaplains have provided comfort and emotional support to countless patients, their families, and staff. Bill Platko, chairman of the chaplain steering committee and a retired cardiologist at UF Health Flagler Hospital, has been involved with the chaplain program since 2019. He reflected on his experience as a physician, expressing gratitude for the support of volunteer chaplains who helped not only his patients but also himself. After retiring, he felt a strong desire to give back and joined the nearly two dozen volunteer chaplains who have dedicated themselves to serving the spiritual needs of patients and staff over the past twenty-five years. To read more about our chaplain program and the many contributions of this dedicated group, visit https://lnkd.in/enwcGUtF

Today we celebrate Christel Lautenschlager, a nurse in our SICU, who has been recognized as the Employee of the Month. Christel is being celebrated for going above and beyond in her care of an international family, forging a connection through a shared language that helped ease fears and contribute to an even greater patient-family experience. Thank you, Christel, for being a beacon of support for this family during an otherwise challenging time.

Wishing you a wonderfully spooky and safe Halloween from our staff to our NICU babies. Have a fa-boo-lous time! ?????

Meet Anne Adams, an 83-year-old retired acupuncturist from St. Augustine. When she noticed a change in her health, she visited her doctor, leading to tests that revealed ductal carcinoma in situ, a form of breast cancer. Thanks to the swift action of her health care team at UF Health, Anne learned that the cancer had spread more than initially thought, but they caught it just in time. With Dr. Christine Routhier’s support, she underwent a one-sided mastectomy just a week later. Reflecting on her journey, Anne said, “I was treated as a person rather than a patient. The care was wonderful, and my concerns were taken seriously.” Now recovering at home, Anne’s story reminds us to stay vigilant about our health and to consult a physician if you notice any changes that are out of the ordinary. To read Anne's whole story, please visit, https://lnkd.in/ejWxYQ7x UF Health

In October, we wear pink gloves to honor breast cancer survivors, remember those we’ve lost, and support patients on their journey ?? UF Health | Medline Industries, LP

We are excited to announce that Renee Lewis, a Financial Advocate at UF Health Flagler Hospital, has received the Hibiscus Award for her exceptional non-clinical care for a patient and their family! A heartfelt nomination submitted by a patient shared how Renee went above and beyond, collaborating with a referring physician’s office to ensure timely admission. Renee even stayed past the end of her shift to personally escort the patient to their room, exemplifying true compassion and commitment. In her acceptance, Renee expressed, “I’m so honored to receive this award but I couldn’t do this job every day without my incredible team.” Congratulations, Renee! Your commitment to providing high-quality patient experiences is valued and appreciated.

A heartwarming moment took place in St. Augustine when Hurricane Milton's arrival coincided with the birth of Nova Reign at UF Health Flagler Hospital. Nova arrived at 1:10 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9, just a few hours before Hurricane Milton made its way to Florida, bringing unexpected excitement to parents Katelyn and Christopher. “Delivering our baby and then riding out a hurricane was not part of the plan and certainly unexpected,” said Katelyn. “We watched the palm trees blowing from our hospital room window and felt safe the entire time. Nova let us sleep throughout most of the storm, thankfully.”

Suzy Eddy, RN, has dedicated her time and talents to the cardiac rehabilitation at UF Health Flagler Hospital since 2008, watching the program grow considerably during that time. Recently, she was named Employee of the Month for helping to train new nurses while maintaining her high standards for compliance and patient satisfaction. Her peers said, "She continues to do an excellent job taking care of patients to ensure their safety while always being pleasant and inspiring confidence in her co-workers and patients." Congratulations, Suzy!

Sheri Fulkerson has volunteered with the UF Health Flagler Hospital Auxiliary for 23 years, dedicating 30,000 hours of service. Over the last several months, she has provided support for the team at the Wellness Center, which offers cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation and wellness programs. The Wellness Center is grateful for Sheri's commitment to volunteering and recognizes her as a valuable asset to their team. "She brings diligent attention to detail and energy to our programs and team, and we are grateful for her time and effort," said wellness center manager Scott Hayford. "I have found my community here. I genuinely enjoy my time with the team," said Sheri. Congratulations, Sheri, on this incredible achievement, and thank you for your commitment to our patients, staff, and this community. Learn more about why Sheri became a volunteer at https://lnkd.in/e7_uN8Bb.