Southwest Health System is proud to celebrate Sheri Willburn as Southwest Health Systems 2024 Employee of the Year. Sheri has been a dedicated member of our team for nearly 32 years. Sheri has worked in multiple departments of the hospital, including Med Surg as a staff/charge nurse, Same Day Surgery, and Case Management for the last 8 years. Lisa Gates, Chief Nursing Officer, shared her admiration for Sheri, stating, "I have had the honor of working with Sheri in all of these roles, from being her teammate who she calls in to work a shift, to being her teammate in Same Day Surgery, and now her leader in Case Management. Sheri embodies the core nursing characteristics we would all want for ourselves and our families if we needed healthcare. She is also the peer all of us want when we start our shifts, knowing that our day will be better with her beside us." Sheri embodies the essential qualities of a nurse with compassion, advocacy, quality of care, and addressing personalized patient needs. Our mission is to provide the highest quality of care by bringing excellence to our practice every day. Sheri is truly a pillar of these characteristics. Sheri was nominated by her peers who said the following in their nomination: “Have you ever thought about what you would do if your loved one were hospitalized? What happens when it's time for your family member or friend to leave? What would happen if the person you care about most wasn't ready to go home and live alone? Southwest Memorial Hospital has a great discharge planner. Sheri Willburn, a beacon of resilience, helps navigate all the options for patients when it is time to be discharged and continue the healing journey. She works tirelessly to advocate for patients. There are many ways to define a good nurse. In general, it means bringing your best qualities to work to promote positive patient outcomes and striving to strengthen the nursing profession. All while you seek solutions to improve patient care and advocacy. This is Sheri! She embodies the essential qualities of a nurse: solid communication skills, empathy & compassion, critical thinking & problem solving, attention to detail, and integrity & advocacy. In reviewing these qualities, Sheri encompasses them in her daily practice, nurturing these virtues within her daily nursing practice as a discharge planner. Sheri Willburn is the epitome of being a nurse. She is kind, caring, and a strong patient advocate. Sheri has shown incredible communication and multitasking skills with department, community, and family members. She has incredible knowledge of insurance and placement centers to provide the best care for our patients. She is available to answer questions and discuss difficult situations in a pleasant manner. Sheri plays a critical role in our patient's safe discharge. She is a joy to work with, and we are happy to have her here.”
