Frankfort, KY (March 12, 2009) - Frankfort Regional Medical Center recently announced Bryan Shouse, MD, and Rita Taylor, RN, CGRN, as the 2009 "Physician of the Year" and "Nurse of the Year", respectively, at the hospital's 6th annual "Nursing Year In Review" held at the Capital Plaza Hotel in Frankfort. Crystal Gilbert, RN, was named the recipient of The DAISY Award from the hospital for the first quarter of 2009. Dr. Shouse is a board certified general surgeon with Capital Surgical Clinic in Frankfort. Ms. Taylor serves as a certified gastroenterology registered nurse in the Endoscopy Center at the hospital, and Ms. Gilbert serves as a registered nurse in the Emergency Department.
The annual Physician and Nurse of the Year awards were developed in 2004 to recognize quality physicians and nurses that demonstrate collaboration, a drive for excellence, charity, and passion for delivering care to patients. Both nursing and medical staff nominates and votes on each of the awards. The DAISY Award is a nationwide program, in collaboration with The American Organization of Nurse Executives, which rewards and celebrates the extraordinary clinical skill and compassionate care given by nurses every day.
"The opportunity to recognize excellence in clinical practice creates a sense of teamwork and cooperation between our physicians and nurses," said Chip Peal, Chief Executive Officer. "Dr. Shouse, Ms. Taylor and Ms. Gilbert are caring professionals who have served the hospital and the Frankfort community for many years. We are fortunate to have them as a part of our team."
Sammie Wolf, Chief Nursing Officer, stated, "Quality patient care is driven by quality physicians and nurses. The relationship between nurses and physicians is inherent to excellent patient outcomes. This year Dr. Shouse and Rita Taylor exemplify these qualities that we admire and emulate."
Dr. Shouse received his medical degree from the University of Louisville. He completed an internship and residency from the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia. Dr. Shouse has served as the ship's surgeon on the USS Enterprise and a staff surgeon at the Naval Medical Center. He is a volunteer faculty member at the University of Kentucky Medical Center Department of Family Medicine, and has served as chief of surgery at Frankfort Regional Medical Center. Dr. Shouse has authored and researched various articles for professional periodicals and is an active member of the Kentucky Medical Association, Franklin County Medical Society and American Medical Association. He is an associate fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
A quote from a nomination form stated that Dr. Shouse "is extremely appreciative of the work we [nurses] do. He always thanks us. He is self sufficient - if he needs something and the nurse is busy, he will get the supplies he needs himself. He looks out for the best interest of his patients and nurses".
Another quote stated that "Dr. Shouse demonstrates the desire to provide quality patient care. He teaches staff on a daily basis, and encourages them to further their education. He has supported the hospital's research projects and the implementation of new modules. He is professional and compassionate to his patients and family members."
Rita Taylor has been employed at Frankfort Regional Medical Center since 1996, where she began her career as a nurse technician. She received her Associate of Nursing from Kentucky State University in 1998. After receiving her nursing degree, Ms. Taylor served as a nurse on the medical-surgical unit, and was promoted to charge nurse of the unit in 2001. In 2003, she transferred to the hospital's Intensive Care Unit, and in 2005, she transferred to the Endoscopy Unit, where she remains today.
Ms. Taylor is credentialed in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS). She serves on numerous hospital committees, and helps implement many new procedures. She also volunteers her time at numerous locations, including a free healthcare clinic.
One of Ms. Taylor's nomination forms stated "her enthusiasm is without equal. She is excited about doing endoscopy whether it's during the day, weekend, or middle of the night. She is constantly thinking of ways to improve patient care, either by making it more efficient or by improving quality."
Crystal Gilbert began working at the hospital in 2000 as a unit clerk/tech in the Emergency Department. She received her Bachelor of Nursing from Eastern Kentucky University in 2003 where she transitioned to a registered nurse in the Emergency Department. Ms. Gilbert has worked as a charge nurse in the department, and holds certification in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and Emergency Nurse Pediatric Certification (ENCP).
One of Ms. Gilbert's nomination forms stated that she "...shows compassion and dedication to each and every patient that walks through the door. She is an excellent co-worker that you can always depend on. She is also an extremely intelligent person, and a wonderful role model to all who know her."
"The DAISY award is utilized to honor and celebrate nurses who consistently demonstrate excellence through their clinical expertise and extraordinary compassionate care, and they are recognized as outstanding role models in our nursing community," said Sammie Wolf.
Frankfort Regional Medical Center is a partnering hospital with the DAISY Award, and will award a nurse each quarter based on nominations from patients, visitors, nurses, physicians, other hospital staff and volunteers who witness this commitment to a remarkable patient experience.
The DAISY foundation was established in 2000 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes who died of complications of the auto-immune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) at the age of 33. DAISY stands for diseases attacking the immune system. During Pat's hospitalization, his family was awestruck by the care and compassion his nurses provided. One of the goals they set in creating a foundation in Pat's memory was to recognize extraordinary nurses everywhere who make an enormous difference in the lives of so many people by the super-human work they do every day.
To learn more, go to http://www.daisyfoundation.org/.