CHARLOTTE, MI – University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Eaton has named Roxanne Baker as its 2024 Nurse of the Year.

Baker, a nurse in UM Health-Sparrow Eaton’s emergency department (ED), has been a nurse for ten years, with a majority at Sparrow Health System and the past year at UM Health-Sparrow Eaton. Prior to joining UM Health-Sparrow, she was a military emergency medical technician for the United States Air Force. Baker was recognized for this prestigious honor for her:

• N: Never-ending compassion
• U: Unyielding advocacy for patients
• R: Resourcefulness and creative use of resources
• S: Setting an example for others
• E: Excellence in care to patients and fellow caregivers

“I am extremely honored and humbled to be receiving this award. I must emphasize the sheer gratitude I have for the staff and leadership at UM Health-Sparrow Eaton. Thank you for all the support and for your faith in me,” Baker said.

Said Rachel Latunski, RN, BSN, EMT-P, IC, emergency department manager at UM Health-Sparrow Eaton: “We are extremely lucky to have Roxanne at Eaton. She came to Eaton a year ago with years of ED experience, having worked at the Sparrow Lansing ED, that she has used to enhance our department and the hospital as a whole. Since coming to Eaton, she has not only cross trained as house supervisor but also has been instrumental in helping with education due to her experience and knowledge of emergency nursing and beyond. Roxanne is selfless in both her practice as a nurse and as a valuable resource for her team members.”

Nominated by a fellow team member, Baker’s nomination stated “she has a drive for excellence and advocates for her patients and team members. With a vast knowledge and years of experience, she can safely and accurately assess and treat critically ill patients in a faced paced environment.” In addition to being a great team member who guides and educate younger nurses on the unit, she recently become a basic life support instructor, “which allows Eaton to have more educational opportunities for team members.”

“Roxanne’s passion and dedication to nursing are observed daily in her care she provides to patients and the knowledge she shares with her team.  She strives to enhance the care that is provided to patients through mentoring of those around her and the continued seeking of best practice through education and training.  We are honored and grateful to have Roxanne on our Eaton nursing team,” said UM Health-Sparrow Eaton Chief Nursing Officer Tiffany Friar, RN, DNP, MBA.

               To learn more about nursing careers at UM Health-Sparrow, go to UofMHealthSparrow.org/Nursing.

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University of Michigan Health-Sparrow is Mid-Michigan’s premier healthcare organization and includes hospitals in Lansing, Carson City, Charlotte, Ionia and St. Johns, as well as Sparrow Specialty Hospital, Sparrow Care Network, Sparrow Medical Group, the Michigan Athletic Club, and AL!VE. Sparrow is part of University of Michigan Health. Through the dedication of our 10,000 caregivers, Sparrow pursues a vision to be nationally recognized as a leader in quality and patient experience. For more information, visit Sparrow.org.