A legacy of ingenuity, philanthropy and empowerment
A legacy of ingenuity, philanthropy and empowerment
The HCA Healthcare family is privileged to honor those among us who showed up in remarkable ways for their patients and communities this year.
At HCA Healthcare, we are fundamentally in the people business. Caring for our patients and communities starts with you — the colleagues who bring our mission to life. We are who we are because of you. And every year, we have the opportunity to celebrate those among us who truly embody our purpose and values.
HCA Healthcare Awards of Distinction is our prestigious annual ceremony dedicated to honoring the service of some of our most extraordinary colleagues. After several years of uncertainty, it was a privilege to host this year’s ceremony live at our corporate offices in Nashville, Tenn., for the first time since 2019.
As Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr., is often quoted as saying, good people beget good people. HCA Healthcare’s incredible pool of talent is made up of individuals who are actively advancing the healthcare field. Whether through innovative ideas, extraordinary acts of kindness or a selfless commitment to the wellbeing of others, this year’s honorees are making an indelible impact on the lives around them.
Meet each of this year’s HCA Healthcare Awards of Distinction finalists and recipients.
Manager, Software Engineering
ITG Technologies, Nashville, Tenn.
10th ANNUAL INNOVATORS AWARD RECIPIENT
Nathan’s HCA Healthcare career dates to 2016, when he was an intern in the Data Science shop. His willingness to learn and eagerness to help whenever needed made such an impression that he was hired several months after his internship ended.
His first project, Sepsis Prediction and Optimization of Therapy (SPOT), is a platform used across HCA Healthcare to provide continuous sepsis surveillance. In addition to leading the front-end development of the application, Nathan also built a performance dashboard, supported the enterprise implementation and was key in providing timely customer support.
This work provided the springboard for a broader program using machine learning to more quickly detect other critical or life-threatening conditions in patients, such as shock, complications after surgery and early signs of deterioration.
Nathan is the architect behind that enterprisewide program, which is called NATE, or Next-Gen Analytics for Treatment and Efficiency. “He is the Nate of NATE. He is not only the name, but the spirit of the thing,” says Edmund Jackson, Ph.D., former vice president, chief data scientist and chief data officer.
“Nathan lives the HCA Healthcare mission daily. His innovation has not only saved countless lives, but he has infused this culture throughout his department,” says Adam Mindick, MBA, CNMT, senior director, Clinical Solutions & Engagement, Clinical Services Group.
Child Life Specialist
Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center, Idaho Falls, Idaho
49th ANNUAL FRIST HUMANITARIAN AWARD RECIPIENT, EMPLOYEE CATEGORY
The sole child life specialist for a robust pediatric program, Diana is everywhere, serving children and their parents in the pediatric ICU, pediatric ER, pediatric OR, burn center and medical imaging departments.
A member of Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center’s (EIRMC) Employee Advisory Group (EAG), she organized the hospital’s 2021 canned food drive and sculpture that won the company’s $10,000 contest. She uses her personal vacation time to help run a camp for kids with cancer. Diana also volunteers with Heartstone, a local grief organization. Two evenings a month, she leads group sessions for children who have suffered loss.
“It is a privilege to recommend Diana,” says Jeff Sollis, CEO of EIRMC. “If anyone embodies the values of this award — remarkable concern for the welfare of patients, performing extraordinary acts of kindness, commitment to community service and humility — it’s Diana.”
Regional Medical Center, San Jose, Calif.
49th ANNUAL FRIST HUMANITARIAN AWARD RECIPIENT, PHYSICIAN CATEGORY
Dr. Nchekwube has dedicated his life to providing care to those most in need in the Bay Area. He’s described as a modest doctor with a kind and unwavering dedication to high-quality and impactful care for the underserved. His contribution to humanity includes several health-related patents, including ones for Parkinson’s disease, cancer, inflammation, viruses, material science and an anti-malaria treatment.
He also developed an agricultural pestcontrol system for developing nations, which entails capturing flies and converting them to fertilizer. He and his wife adopted two sons of a former trauma patient, raising the boys to embrace their Hindi birth culture. Both have done well, one graduating from U.C. Berkeley and the other graduating from U.C. Irvine.
“Dr. Nchekwube embodies the physician befitting this award,” says Tarannum Guller, M.D., Regional Medical Center’s chief medical officer. “He goes above and beyond the clinical duty in the care of our patients. In a career that spans three decades of service, he has lived our mission to its truest core.”
Volunteer
TriStar NorthCrest Medical Center, Springfield, Tenn.
49th ANNUAL FRIST HUMANITARIAN AWARD RECIPIENT, VOLUNTEER CATEGORY
A 27-year fixture on the Pink Lady team, “Ms. Jo” has given more than 41,000 hours of her own time to patients and their families, setting a hospital volunteer record. At a mere 93 years old, Ms. Jo still works two shifts every week at the information desk. During her time as a Pink Lady, she has served in several areas, spreading her love and compassion. Her volunteer experience includes the surgery waiting area, where she served as the all-important family liaison — keeping loved ones updated on how the procedure is going.
Her face is often the very first one that visitors see upon arrival at the hospital, and she wears her pink coat with pride. Ms. Jo is a calming and steadfast presence, escorting families and other guests to their destinations while using light conversation to help put their minds at ease during sometimes anxious situations. She has continued to volunteer even after her own health challenges, including triple bypass heart surgery, a broken pelvis and two broken vertebrae.
“We are blessed to have a very robust auxiliary program, and the volunteers really make us who we are,” says TriStar NorthCrest Medical Center’s CEO, Randy Davis. “The smiles, willingness to assist and immediate compassion set the tone for our culture. Ms. Jo is the very epitome of a Pink Lady.”
Medical City Plano, Plano, Texas
7th ANNUAL EXCELLENCE IN NURSING AWARD RECIPIENT, PROFESSIONAL MENTORING CATEGORY
Sarah’s desire to help others — including her fellow nurses — is innate.
She is known as someone to turn to for advice or guidance. Other nurses look to her leadership and describe her as always positive, smiling and willing to help. Nurse leaders know her to be a gifted and innovative problem-solver.
But Sarah’s observation of the students at her children’s school prompted her to propose a program to support nurses. Students at the school participate in a buddy system, where older students help the younger ones. Inspired, she crafted a program where nurses mentor each other.
The launch of her Nurse Connection Mentor Program drew 13 mentors and 14 mentees. In addition, four new roles were approved to help facilitate the program to support new nurses. Sarah leads the program, which has proven successful.
“She is truly a model of nursing excellence and exemplifies her love for compassionate care, peer guidance, mentoring and continuing clinical education,” says Damita Williams, Senior Vice President and CNO of Medical City Plano.
Deputy Ward Manager
London Bridge Hospital, U.K.
7th ANNUAL EXCELLENCE IN NURSING AWARD RECIPIENT, COMPASSIONATE CARE CATEGORY
She is known as “Sister Nadia,” or simply “Sister.”
Nadia’s reputation as a kind, compassionate and skilled nurse is widely known among her colleagues and patients. Colleagues describe her as a role model and a trusted leader. Her patients’ accolades include anecdotes about how she makes them feel at ease and her calm competence.
In fact, the impression Nadia makes landed her at Windsor Castle in 2019 to attend a special ceremony in the presence of the queen and other members of the royal family.
Nadia treated a patient who had suffered complications from Type 1 diabetes. She provided such outstanding care that the patient, whose father was close to the royal family, extended an invitation to the prestigious Garter Ceremony, which is held annually.
“It was the most amazing day, and one that I will never forget,” Nadia said.
Innovators Award Finalist
James Kelley
The Wellington Hospital London, U.K.
Made improvements to treating tracheostomized patients, limiting exposure to airborne viral particles.
Innovators Award Finalist
Kaitlyn Corey
Doctors Hospital of Augusta
Augusta, Ga.
Modified and adapted the structure of PVC pipe frames used to position burn patients’ limbs after skin graft procedures.
Frist Humanitarian Award Finalist, Employee Category
Evelyn Khumalo, R.N.
The Portland Hospital
London, U.K.
Supports a school in Zimbabwe founded
by her father in 1926 by donating books,
clothing and money for various needs.
Frist Humanitarian Award Finalist, Employee Category
Michael Holman,
R.N., SCRN
St. David’s
Medical Center
Pflugerville, Texas
Involved in his church, local food
pantry, and international and
domestic medical mission trips.
Frist Humanitarian Award Finalist, Volunteer Category
Charles Eames
Memorial Satilla Health
Waycross, Ga.
Logged 10,000+ service hours over 30
years. Greets visitors, reads to toddlers and
sings to seniors, while dressed as Elvis.
Frist Humanitarian Award Finalist, Volunteer Category
Jeanne Burvant
Tulane Lakeside Hospital
Kenner, La.
Serves as a NICU cuddler, supports parents
during the adoption process and takes in
babies in the process of being adopted.
Frist Humanitarian Award Finalist, Physician Category
Adewuni Seyi Ojo, M.D.
Medical City Arlington
Arlington, Texas
Organizes pop-up medical clinics, created
a foundation for orphans and widows, and
goes on international medical mission trips.
Frist Humanitarian Award Finalist, Physician Category
Nadia Blanchet,
M.D.
Chippenham &
Johnston-Willis Hospitals
Richmond, Va.
Travels to St. Vincent and the Grenadines
to treat children. Also brings children
to the U.S. for medical procedures.
Excellence in Nursing Award Finalist, Professional Mentorship Category
Diarmuid Bennett,
R.N.
The Harley Street Clinic
London, U.K.
Respected and described as approachable,
skilled and caring. Mentors and develops nurses
and is known as an excellent problem-solver.
Excellence in Nursing Award Finalist, Professional Mentorship Category
Olivia Ross,
R.N.
Chippenham Medical
Center
Richmond, Va.
Made onboarding and precepting
improvements as a nurse leader and mentor
and created a program for new ICU nurses.
Excellence in Nursing Award Finalist, Compassionate Care Category
Vicki Juarez,
R.N.
HCA Florida Raulerson
Hospital
Okeechobee, Fla.
Distributed hair care kits to COVID-19
patients, and even washed and
braided their hair to boost morale.
Excellence in Nursing Award Finalist, Compassionate Care Category
Ellen Henahan,
R.N.
Los Robles Health System
Thousand Oaks, Calif.
Provides compassionate care for patients
at the end of their lives and is described as
focused, knowledgeable and a great listener.
