University Hospitals

In her early 20s, Lucille B., Nurse Manager, UH Lake West Medical Center, remembers seeing an ad in the newspaper for nursing assistants at a local nursing facility. At that moment, she knew she’d found where she belonged. And so began her nursing career. After earning her ADN, she applied to UH Lake West Medical Center. She wanted to work in the community where she lived. This very week, Lucille celebrated 29 years at UH Lake West! “What I love most about nursing is the natural connection between people. Being exactly who you are, no pretense,” Lucille shares. “That’s nursing - being able to make a difference in someone’s life, in their day, at that moment by using the knowledge you gained in school and your innate gifts of compassion and empathy. For me, there is also a spiritual side that connects me to my purpose. I know in my heart it’s my “calling.” It’s not enough to want to help people. Nursing is raw. You have to want to understand each patient and go above and beyond to help them through such a vulnerable time in their lives. I once heard that if you stitch together the memories of the patients you’ve taken care of, you will have woven a beautiful tapestry. My career has taken me from staff nurse to facilitator, to ANM, and finally to manager. My tapestry is rich and colorful.” Pursue your calling at UH. https://lnkd.in/e-HJgQ3D

As part of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on April 27, University Hospitals hosted collection efforts at 11 locations throughout Northeast Ohio. We saw a total of 280 people, which yielded 45 boxes of unused or unwanted medications. It was the highest turnout we’ve seen in two years. Also, as part of our collaboration with Project DAWN, which provides free Narcan kits and education to the public to help reduce opioid overdoses in the community, we handed out 90 boxes of Narcan and 170 fentanyl test strips across all collection sites. To find a location for one of UH’s nine year-round prescription drug collection sites, visit https://lnkd.in/gVbuv5m2 #prescriptiondrugtakeback #reduceopioidoverdose #medicationdisposal

Today we shine a spotlight on Meghan Neely, RN, who is being recognized as a Bravo Award winner for providing Service Excellence as a patient advocate at UH Cleveland Medical Center. Through the Cliff Appreciates program, UH CEO Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS, Jane and Henry Meyer Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair, likes to recognize our non-physician caregivers who stand out for living the UH values with the Bravo Awards. Meghan is being lauded for providing Service Excellence and is being praised for providing exceptional follow-through with regard to a particular patient. In fact, throughout this process, the patient noted that she always approached every situation with an amazing attitude that included grace, optimism and understanding which left the patient feeling extremely grateful. The patient went on to say that “There are not enough words in the Webster’s Dictionary to heap upon her all the praise she deserves.” We decided to chat with Meghan to learn more about her and how she lives the UH values: How do you live the UH values? The UH values are at the core of patient advocacy. All patients are treated with the highest level of compassion. Following up and ensuring their concerns are addressed with integrity in order to provide service excellence builds trust. What is one thing that you wish people knew about your job? There are always many sides to every story. We investigate in order to figure out what happened and why the patient perceived the situation the way they did. How do you make things better for the people to whom you are providing care? Actively listening to patient concerns, following up and providing feedback when appropriate, helps patients reach a better understanding of their experiences. It also allows UH to have a better understanding of the patient’s perspective and improve our processes, which impacts all patients. What do you find most rewarding in your role? It is inspiring when follow-up from a patient concern results in process improvement, impacting the experience for all future patients and improving workflow for caregivers. Tell me about a particular patient experience that was memorable. There was a young patient with advanced cancer who required admission every few weeks for treatment. Her husband was very angry at their situation, at life, and with the world in general. He would call frequently when she was admitted. I think making him feel heard and me actively following up on his experience, concerns and suggestions made them feel acknowledged. What started as anger quickly transitioned into appreciation and constructive feedback with each call. I think of them often. #UHProud #greatplacetowork #caregiverspotlight #serviceexcellence

When Kayla R., Assistant Nurse Manager, UH Parma Medical Center, was a little girl, she was inspired to become a nurse because of how a nurse cared for her great-grandmother. Even though she never learned her name, Kayla knew she wanted to be like that nurse when she grew up. Now, she’s inspiring other nurses just like the nurse who first inspired her. “I believe I inspire other nurses by setting an example and having a positive attitude,” Kayla shares. “I like to stay current on my own clinical knowledge and expertise so I can offer support to my peers and team. Empowering nurses to stick together is the best tool we have. When we motivate, inspire, and teach one another how to be better, we will continue to empower each other to be the best we can be.” If you want to work somewhere that empowers both patients and employees to be their best, join the UH team! https://lnkd.in/d4T_j-Ja

Katelyn G., Registered Nurse Level I, UH Geauga Medical Center, always knew nursing was what she wanted to do. Katelyn loves being able to care for and connect with others during some of the most vulnerable times of their lives. “I love being the person they can rely on,” she shares. In fact, she strives to be someone both her coworkers and patients can rely on every day. “Everything I do is centered around trying to create a team. I try to make sure that everyone's voice is heard. I want to make sure that people really understand that they can trust and rely on me to help them with what they need. I try to always help anyone who needs it and put a smile on people's faces!” At UH, our nurses lean on each other to provide the best care possible — to our patients and each other. Be a part of our caring culture where nurses thrive. Join us! https://lnkd.in/e-HJgQ3D

Calling all RNs - Save the Date!  Take your nursing career to the next level and join us on Wednesday, May 15th, from 9 am to 3 pm for our Virtual RN Recruitment Event. Hosted by UH Elyria Medical Center, UH Parma Medical Center, and UH St. John Medical Center, this event offers you the chance to be part of a team that values your growth and ability to make a meaningful difference. Earn up to $8K in sign-on bonus. Don't miss this opportunity to provide care within your community. Register today! https://lnkd.in/epmFEVru #UHNursing #UHProud #UHCareers

Did you know the month of May is dedicated to nurses? In honor of National Nurses Month and National Nurses Week, which starts on Monday, we’ll be introducing you to some of the incredible nurses of University Hospitals! Join us over the next few weeks as we highlight nurses who make a difference through the ways they care for patients, mentor the next generation of nurses, and foster a legacy of excellence and compassion. Then, join our nurses in their mission to advance the science of health and the art of compassion. https://lnkd.in/dWJMuU5W #UHNursing #UHCareers #UHProud

#UHProud

Research shows that patients do better when their caregivers look like them. According to UH CEO Cliff A. Megerian, MD, FACS, Jane and Henry Meyer Chief Executive Officer Distinguished Chair, a key quality in creating an optimal patient experience is having caregivers who look like the patients and communities we serve. It’s also an important step in improving health inequities. Learn what University Hospitals is doing to retain and recruit caregivers who can provide an excellent patient experience while at the same time creating a diverse workforce in his latest Health Care & Leadership blog. Read more below: https://lnkd.in/gUWbYT7Z #Patientexperience #recruitmentandretention #workforcediversity #healthequity #healthcareleadership

Digestive diseases are a significant and growing health burden worldwide. Better methods of prevention and treatment are urgently needed. At UH Digestive Health Institute, clinicians and investigators are leading the way in this disease field with scientific research and clinical trials aimed at improving patient outcomes. UH, for example, is an integral member of the Cleveland Digestive Diseases Research Core Center, established in July 2015 with a 10-year grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). At the same time, UH and colleagues are embarked on a new five-year, $11.2 million NIH study of how Barrett’s esophagus, a precursor to esophageal cancer, develops — with an eye toward formulating new treatments. Other research efforts include studying the effect of artificial sweeteners on patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – a condition that affects more than 3 million Americans, as well as which dietary interventions may have an effect. Teams at UH are also using “big data” to look at the possible link between medications in patients with IBD and other conditions, including patients affected by COVID-19. Read more at https://lnkd.in/gxSGcER3 #digestivedisease #digestivehealth #IBD #clinicaltrials #patientsfirst