‘I believe that one of the greatest sources of pride for nurses is the positive feedback they receive from the special patients for whom they have provided excellent and compassionate care.’
Guest Author:
Lisa Rowen, DNSc, MS ’86, RN, CENP, FAAN
Chief Nurse Executive, University of Maryland Medical System
Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer, University of Maryland Medical Center
With only Lombard Street between us, UMSON and the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) have a robust partnership that is constantly reflected in the care delivered by UMSON alumni who are now UMMC employees. The compassion and expertise demonstrated on a daily basis by these UMSON-educated staff members illustrate the deep and integrated commitment our two entities have to patient care, education, service, and values. We don’t have to look far to appreciate the fruit of this partnership; take, for example, Sawyer Spurry, MS ’16, RN, CNL, a Clinical Nurse II in UMMC’s Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU).
At a UMMC Great Stories Recognition event in November, Sawyer was recognized for his individual and team contribution toward building a great culture. A UMMC patient wrote:
“My journey at University of Maryland Medical Center began on January 20, 2018. I spent my first two nights in the Emergency Room before transferring to the MICU and the Medical Intermediate Care Unit.
The care that I received in all departments was excellent. It was remarkable how all staff members — including dietary, housekeeping, and the registered nurses — offered the same personal empathetic and competent care. Everyone consistently spoke to me while performing their daily duties and made me feel like I was part of the ‘family.’
While everyone was phenomenal, I must recognize one employee who was a ‘cut above’ all others. MICU nurse Sawyer Spurry exemplified confidence, empathy, and charisma toward my family and myself. He is truly a remarkable young man; his presence was welcomed during my toughest days. It is clear that nursing is his true vocation.
Thank you all again for your fine service.”
I believe that one of the greatest sources of pride for nurses is the positive feedback they receive from the special patients for whom they have provided excellent and compassionate care. In this case, the patient’s commendation of Sawyer validated his commitment to patient- and family-centric care.
Sawyer is just one of many UMSON graduates who make a difference at UMMC. He brings our partnership to life. Through Sawyer and his fellow alumni, our missions converge and result in high-quality and compassionate care to those in need. It is, indeed, a partnership we can all be proud of.
Photo courtesy of UMMC Communications: Spurry (back row, second from left) with other nurses and representatives of UMMC’s Environmental Services and Food and Hospitality Services, including (back row, from left) Kerry Sue Mueller, BSN ’90; Sandy Penn, MS ’11; Donald Jones; (middle row, from left) Sabrina Mikell; Megan Lynn, MS ’08, BSN ’04; Monique Jackson; (front row, from left) Ruth Borkoski, MS ’17; Leah Smith, BSN ’14; and Mary Rice
This article first appeared in the Spring 2019 issue of Nursing For/um magazine.