LANSING, Mich. – University of Michigan Health-Sparrow has honored non-nursing staff and respiratory therapists who go beyond their clinical duties to deliver compassionate, skillful care.
The BEE Award (Being Exceptional Everyday/Being Extraordinary Everyday) honors non-nursing team members who provide outstanding support to patients, families and nurses. Designed as a partner to the DAISY Award for nurses, the Bee Award acknowledges that nurses cannot function without crucial team support.
Kathryn Wertheimer, a Patient Care Technician in the Oncology unit at UM Health-Sparrow Lansing, received a Bee Award after being recognized by multiple peers and leaders for her excellent work. She always goes above and beyond, is an amazing team player and is often recognized by her patients for her amazing care.
Julie Wood, MSW, a Case Manager in the rehabilitation unit at UM Health-Sparrow Lansing, also received a Bee Award for going above and beyond in caring for patients.
UM Health-Sparrow’s Starfish Award celebrates team members who provide extraordinary, compassionate and skillful care every day. It is based on a poem titled “The Star Thrower” by Loren Eiseley emphasizing that no act of kindness, regardless of how small it might seem, is ever wasted.
Audranell Barker, a Patient Care Technician at the UM Health-Sparrow Lansing Specialty Infusion Center, received a Starfish Award after a patient receiving chemotherapy treatments described her as “a ray of sunshine and hope.” The patient said Barker kept things light, offered compliments, checked in frequently and made the patient’s husband feel comfortable.
Lekasha Brown, a Health Unit Coordinator at the Medical Intermediate Unit at UM Health-Sparrow Lansing, also received a Starfish Award. Brown approaches every shift with a positive attitude and strong work ethic, asking what more she can do to help even on the busiest of days.
Brooklyn Williams, a Support Operations Services Technician at UM Health-Sparrow Lansing, received the Starfish Award for helping to save a patient’s life. While cleaning a patient room, Williams noticed that a patient seemed to be having difficulty breathing. She called nursing staff, who suctioned food from the patient’s throat, likely saving their life.
UM Health-Sparrow’s Breathe Award recognizes a respiratory therapist whose clinical skill and compassionate care are an outstanding role model for patients, their families and team members.
Lynn Brown, a Respiratory Therapist at UM Health-Sparrow Lansing, received a Breathe Award. Brown helped a patient push through pulmonary testing when the patient thought they could not continue. Brown remained kind with the special needs patient, who is 31 years old physically but has the developmental level of an early teen.
Katie Nevins, a Respiratory Therapist at UM Health-Sparrow Lansing working with pediatric patients, received a Breathe Award after dedicating significant time to supporting families in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. She went above and beyond to reassure them, educate them and ensure they felt heard and supported.
To the countless team members who show up with heart, skill and patience when it matters most: UM Health-Sparrow sees you, thanks you and celebrates you.
To learn more, go to UofMHealthSparrow.org.
