Mercy South Announces Daffodil Award Winners

Congratulations to Kelly Todd, patient care technician, who earned the Daffodil Award for the outstanding care she provides with the oncology unit on 8 East.

A patient’s wife nominated Kelly by writing: “Kelly was always so respectful of my husband’s limitations due to Parkinson’s. She made sure that once she completed her tasks that he was comfortable. She’d ask if he needed anything else. I was always so glad to see her walking into his room for her shift. Her positivity strengthened me during a stressful situation.”

Congratulations to Amira Spijodic, unit secretary, who earned the Daffodil Award for the outstanding care she provides with the emergency department.

Elarial Phillips, RN, clinical supervisor, nominated Amira by writing: “The emergency department was extremely busy and had very limited space to move patients through. Our unit secretary, Amira, made sure she was helping cleaning rooms, answering call lights and helping with rounding on patients. During one of her rounds, she came across a patient whose family was very concerned and Bosnian speaking. During the interaction, she discovered that patient was not looking ‘okay’ and alerted me... On my assessment, I speedily arranged for the patient to receive the care they needed. Due to Amira being persistent and going above and beyond in assisting the team, she assured the patient received the necessary care.”

Congratulations to Karen Franke, patient care associate, who earned the Daffodil Award for the outstanding care she provides with the same day surgery team.

A co-worker nominated Karen by writing: “Karen was kind enough to walk with my patient and her husband around the parking lot until they could find their car. They had forgotten where it was parked. She spent 35 minutes with them even though her shift had ended.”

Congratulations Aziz Oric, nurse technician, who earned the Daffodil Award for the outstanding care he provides with the surgical stepdown unit

A co-worker nominated Aziz by writing: “Aziz came from another floor to interpret for a confused, angry gentleman. After they talked, he laid down and went right to sleep. Great job!”

Congratulations to Katie Nash, nurse technician, who earned the Daffodil Award for the outstanding care she provides with the cardiovascular progressive care unit (CVPCU).

A patient’s husband nominated Katie by writing: “I came to visit my wife, and when I went to leave, Katie saw how I can’t walk. I am disabled. Katie took a wheelchair and was kind enough to push me. She pushed me to my car. My car was parked in the front of the hospital. That is a long way to the front, and then to my car. She went totally out of her way. What a kind and nice person she is.”

Congratulations to Katrina Lloyd, patient care associate, who earned the Daffodil Award for the outstanding care she provides with the cardiac-medical intensive care unit and cardiovascular intensive care unit (CMICU/CVICU).

A co-worker nominated Katrina by writing: “Katrina is an all-star patient care associate. She is a hard worker, and she supports the nurses and the patients in the CMICU/CVICU 110%. Katrina was originally hired as a mobility tech for CVICU. Her job was to get heart patients up and ambulating post-op. Once COVID hit and the heart patients were moved to alternate locations away from the COVID ICU, Katrina remained in CMICU and took care of COVID patients. She changed her whole role without complaint in order to best serve the patients and co-workers of the unit. Several times over the past two years, we have had surges where the entire unit was COVID. This is extremely difficult work when every patient you care for is on contact/droplet/airborne precautions. Katrina really stepped up to the challenge because this was where her help was needed most. She acts as a preceptor to new PCAs/nurse techs hired into the unit. She is great with patients and families, and she cares about patient safety and quality patient care. Katrina is truly an asset to the unit and to Mercy South. Thanks, Katrina for all you do to serve!”

Congratulations to Stephanie Blaskow, patient care associate, who earned the Daffodil Award for the outstanding care she provides with the post-anesthesia care unit.

Several co-workers nominated Stephanie by writing: “Steph volunteered to clean patient rooms on an evening we had multiple patients waiting 8 hours plus in the PACU. She went above and beyond her duties as a PACU tech. We all appreciate her, patients included!”

Congratulations to Erycca Sanders, nurse technician, who earned the Daffodil Award for the outstanding care she provides with our float pool team.

A co-worker nominated Sanders by writing: “Erycca transported a patient up from the emergency department to 8100 hall. The room was marked clean, but it was still dirty. Erycca took it upon herself to begin sanitizing the room before housekeeping could get there. This is just one example of the excellent work Erycca does every day!”

Congratulations to Star Jones, EKG technician, for earning the Daffodil Award for the outstanding care she provides with our echocardiography team.

A co-worker nominated Jones by writing: “Star did an EKG on 5 West where the patient was wet due to incontinence and there was no one available at the moment to clean him up. Star took it upon herself to clean the patient and gave him a full bath. She changed all his linen and cleared his bedside table. Star went far beyond her job as EKG tech. The family told us it was the best care they have received since their father was admitted.”

Congratulations to Maddie Gotto, nurse technician, for earning the Daffodil Award for the outstanding care she provides with our neuro stepdown unit.

Angela Key, a co-worker with the neuro unit on 8 West, nominated Gotto by writing: “Maddie took care of a patient on her unit. He came to our floor after 40 days. Maddie comes to visit him every day. She takes time to feed him and bring him snacks. Maddie has a way of getting the patient to calm down and be in a better place mentally. She takes time from her busy schedule to check on him and see if he needs anything. If he needs to be changed, she changes him, even when he is not her patient. Maddie shows such compassion and care for him. It means a lot to him to see her, and she makes sure he does see her. Maddie goes above and beyond and is amazing.”

Congratulations to Alison Kluck, behavioral health tech, for earning the Daffodil Award for the outstanding care she provides with Hyland Behavioral Health.

Congratulations to Xena Al Rifaie, patient care associate, for earning the Daffodil Award for the outstanding care she provides on the neuro unit on 8 West.

A patient’s relative nominated Xena by writing: “She is being recognized for her compassion, empathy, care, positive attitude, friendliness, personality and connection to the patient and family. My father needed extra care and compassion. He has dementia and gets agitated and scared while changing him. He hurt her wrist and she still continued to take exceptional care of him. She made sure he ate by taking extra time with him. She is an angel and a blessing from God!”

Congratulations to Austin Alexander, patient care associate with the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU), who earned the Daffodil Award for the outstanding care he provides.

Becca Schnitzer, a co-worker with the orthopedics unit, nominated Alexander by writing: “Austin heard a patient choking and immediately ran into the patient’s room and performed the Heimlich maneuver, getting a large piece of food out of the patient’s airway. A rapid response, then code blue, was called. Thanks to Austin, the patient was okay!”

Congratulations to Aida Dedic, patient care associate, who earned the Daffodil Award for the outstanding care she provides for our medical surgical unit on 5 West.

A patient nominated Dedic by writing: "Aida was always there – always popping into my room to see if I needed anything. She was there if I pushed my button and if I didn’t push my button. She was so nice and friendly – she made me feel like I’ve known her forever. She was willing always to go the extra mile. She would pop in and remind me to order breakfast or dinner. She would help open my meal packages and take my tray away when finished. I’ve never seen anyone work as hard as Aida. She was always ‘on the go’ and helping everyone on 5 West. No job was too big or too small for Aida. She has the ability to go just like the Energizer bunny! And, she is such a friendly, compassionate person. She definitely strives to go above and beyond providing the best care. Thanks, Aida!”

Congratulations to Eric Ray, patient care associate, who earned the Daffodil Award for the outstanding care he provides with our surgical stepdown unit.

A co-worker with the medical stepdown unit nominated Ray by writing: "Today, Eric was pulled to medical stepdown, and I cannot say enough about how incredibly lucky we are to have him. While having a busy morning, which included three rapid responses, Eric truly went above and beyond. Even through a lot of action this morning, he remained joyful and positive. During all of his interactions with patients, you could see how much he really cares. He really made sure they were well-taken care of and had everything they needed. Medical stepdown co-workers and patients were very happy to have him working here today. Surgical stepdown can share him any time! Thank you, Eric, for all your hard work and dedication!”

Congratulations to Josh Cooper, patient transporter, who earned the Daffodil Award for the outstanding care he provides throughout Mercy Hospital South.

The co-workers on 8 East nominated Cooper by writing: "Josh always comes to the floor with a big smile and positive attitude! He is always willing to help and go above and beyond. His positive energy is contagious. It’s hard not to smile when he’s around. We need more people like Josh. He’s the best!”

Congratulations to Kyle Lough, paramedic, who earned the Daffodil Award for the outstanding care he provides in the emergency department.

A co-worker nominated Lough by writing: "Being at the greeter desk can be very stressful and overwhelming most days. I look forward to knowing Kyle will be there because he is so helpful! He goes with the flow and handles the stress and pressure better than most. He always has a great attitude and is always willing to help. He treats everyone with dignity and respect. Kyle is a very important player to our team, and all too often, he does not get the recognition and appreciation he truly deserves! Kyle, I respect and appreciate your hard work so much!”

Janette Mitchell, nurse extern, earned the Daffodil Award for the outstanding care she provides in the neurology unit (8 West) and oncology unit (8 East) at Mercy Hospital South.

A co-worker nominated Mitchell by writing: "I was floated to 8 West and I was in a room struggling to clean a patient. Janette was walking by, saw my need and came straight in to help. She was so kind, very helpful, and through the day, she answered my questions. She made me feel welcome. I look forward to working with her again."

Tiera Dunning, behavioral health tech, earned the Daffodil Award for the outstanding care she provides in the acute adult unit at Hyland Behavioral Health at Mercy Hospital South.

A patient nominated Dunning by writing: “Tiera has an amazing, sweet, kind-hearted spirit. She always displays a positive attitude and dignified spirit. She is always doing her job and helping others with whatever it may be. I’ve never seen her without a smile on her face!”

Carroll Ridolfi, patient care associate, earned the Daffodil Award for the outstanding care she provides on 4 South (cardiac telemetry) at Mercy Hospital South.

A patient’s daughter nominated Ridolfi by writing: “While everyone here was fantastic, Carroll, my mom’s patient care associate, was amazing! She had such patience when my mom was confused and agitated. She stayed with her to talk and play tic-tac-toe and help her to calm down. She checked on her frequently and stayed with her for a long time when visiting hours ended and my mom was upset. In my eyes, she went above and beyond standard level of care. She knows how to handle confused patients with grace.”

Jesse Hoxworth, patient care associate, earned the Daffodil Award for the outstanding care he provides on 4 South (cardiac telemetry) at Mercy Hospital South.

A patient’s relative nominated Hoxworth by writing: “Jesse was always happy and smiling when he came in the room. He would talk to my mother-in-law and make her feel happy. His attitude is contagious. He was very attentive to her needs and never failed to ask if we needed anything else. He went above and beyond and really made you feel like he loves what he does. He should be commended!”

Alison De Lange, patient care technician, earned the Daffodil Award for the care she provides in the emergency department at Mercy Hospital South.

A co-worker nominated De Lange by writing: “Alison was sitting with a patient with special needs who was very active and needed extra care. Alison worked with the patient and was very patient, polite and understanding with him. She did everything she possibly could to make him comfortable and cared for. Being in registration, I can observe a lot and she is one of the most patient and hard-working techs I have seen.”

Christine Sudduth, behavioral health tech, earned the Daffodil Award for the outstanding care she provides at  Hyland Behavioral Health Center at Mercy Hospital South.

A co-worker nominated Sudduth by writing: “Christine performs amazing work every day! She is dedicated to seeing everything through and finds a way to get the job done well. Christine provides excellent care, service and dignity to all, implements safety procedures in accordance with Mercy policy, and communicates effectively with oncoming staff. We are truly thankful for her passion and commitment to safety and quality for our patients and staff.”

Rachel Woodley, OB Technician in the Mother/Baby unit, earned the latest Daffodil Award for the outstanding, compassionate care she provides.

A patient nominated Woodley by writing: “Rachel came into my room at a point when my pain was not controlled and led to a lot of emotions. Not knowing much about the situation, she listened and helped come up with a plan that worked for me. Her extra level care and compassion is what I needed. Being able to help manage and identify emotional needs is critical and is why Rachel deserves my nomination.”