September 2021 | Page 77

included care of the entire person . This culture remained even after she moved on to another hospital and it had a huge impact on how I saw maternity care practiced . When Shirley returned to Memorial Hospital as the nurse manager , we worked very closely . During this time , I started to create the didactic training experience under her guidance and encouragement . She taught me how to be a strong leader , to advocate for patients and their families , and to think outside the box to find creative solutions . When Memorial Hospital closed , we both moved on to Landmark Medical Center . Soon , the center ’ s maternity culture of care shifted to encourage more encompassing maternity care . I have so much respect for Shirley and her work advocating for birth .

Carrie Kenyon

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Wendy Chicoine , MSN , RN

Community / Public Health

NURSE OF THE YEAR

By leading our efforts to care for 60,000 patients and protecting Rhode Islanders during a pandemic , you are helping us build a healthier community . Thank you for everything you do as a leader of Rhode Island ’ s largest health center network .

This included opportunities to work in multiple inpatient and outpatient specialties , which have given me great insight into all aspects of hospital operations with a view to improving outcomes . I am currently a master ’ s degree candidate at Capella University and will graduate in December with a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration . With Kerin ’ s support , I have also been able to participate in the Yale School of Management as well as Yale ’ s Advanced Leadership Academy . This has allowed me to continuously grow as a health care professional while developing and fostering internal and external relationships .

TELL US ABOUT A STANDOUT PATIENT MEMORY . I once received a call from a community member requesting to transfer her spouse from another facility to our hospital for hospice care . The patient kept stating he wanted to “ go home ” but his wife said he was not well enough to go home . I called the director of the nursing facility where the patient was and we put the transfer in place after much “ negotiating ” as the family had to pay out of pocket because it was a personal request . When the patient arrived , I greeted them in the room and he said , “ Thank you so much for bringing me home .” He hadn ’ t meant his house ; he wanted to come to Westerly Hospital , his home , his community . Within hours the patient passed peacefully away with his family at his bedside . � www . providencechc . org

Improving our patients quality of life since 2014

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