OSKALOOSA — Five Mahaska Health Partnership nurses: Sharon Ferguson, of Oskaloosa; Darlene Keuning, of Otley; Stacy Noel, of Hendrick; Giles Seuferer, of Milo; and Diana Sherman, of Oskaloosa, have been named to the sixth annual listing of “100 Great Iowa Nurses.”
Recipients will be honored at a special celebration recognizing National Nurses Week on May 2 in Des Moines. The Iowa Nurses Association, Iowa Nurses Foundation and Iowa Hospital Association partner each year to create this list, which celebrates nursing by honoring 100 nurses from around the state. Nominations are submitted by colleagues, patients, doctors and friends. According to the 100 Great Iowa Nurses award committee, nurses were selected because their “courage, competence and commitment to patients and the nursing profession stand out above all others.”
MHP CEO Jay Christensen said the 100 Great Nurses designation is meaningful because it is independent, outside recognition of the excellence found in MHP’s nursing staff. “Nurses selected for this honor represent many sectors of healthcare, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, schools and medical offices,” Christensen said. “It’s truly outstanding that five percent of the outstanding nurses recognized in Iowa are at Mahaska Health Partnership.
“The compassion, high quality care and leadership our nurses provide is truly exceptional. We are so proud and thankful that we work with many great nurses and because of their care, our patients benefit.”
In her role as Diabetes Nurse Educator at MHP, Ferguson started a free monthly diabetes support group to help her patients learn how to live with the disease. She reestablished the Diabetes WISE program and continues to make adaptations that fit each patient’s individual needs. Her nomination states, “She has worked especially well with those challenging cases, and excels at educating her patients. She makes sure they have the knowledge and tools needed to make healthy lifestyle choices. Many patients and community members have benefited from Sharon’s knowledge and the compassionate care she gives to each individual, treating them like family.”
Keuning is MHP’s Chief Nursing Officer. She was recognized for being a true symbol of the nursing profession and a strong leader who believes in empowering staff to accomplish great things for MHP patients. “She makes sure the nursing staff uses best practices and strives to improve core measures and patient outcomes throughout the organization,” her nomination stated. “She has been a nurse for 39 years and has worked at many large hospitals before joining MHP. She leads with her knowledge of best practices, JCAHO and CMS requirements. Darlene is the nursing leader who has taken our organization to new levels with patient satisfaction, quality and safety.”
As team leader for One Day Surgery, Noel is a great role model and leader in the department. A nurse for 15 years, she is constantly mentioned by patients as an outstanding nurse. “She took great care of me and my family” and “She made me feel special like I was the only patient in the hospital” are just two of the many comments MHP has received. Her nomination states that she has a great ability to put people at ease and to feel more comfortable during a stressful time in their lives. “She is a consummate professional who exhibits outstanding technical and people skills. She is respectful, caring and she possesses great nursing skills.” Noel also volunteers at the Oskaloosa Free Clinic.
Seuferer is the Director of Surgical Services. His nomination states that although he is busy as a director, he always takes time daily to visit with patients who are having surgery. “Giles has an innate ability to lead and inspire staff to be better every day. He uses his knowledge and experience as a leader and an OR nurse to try to make positive change happen daily. With every decision he makes, he asks how it will affect the staff and most of all, our patients.” It also noted his strong leadership and calm demeanor when tackling issues, which is a positive example for all to follow. When a problem arises, he takes it as an opportunity for improvement.
Sherman has been a nurse for more than 30 years, holding a variety of management positions before assuming her current role as the Director of the Med/Surg/Critical Care Unit. “In the three years that she has held this position, the unit has undergone a transformation and is currently leading the way in both quality indicators and patient satisfaction,” the nomination states. “Diana has been personally cited for her mentoring and ability to positively impact staff with her knowledge and management skills.
She currently participates and leads many committees and improvement process teams, including medication safety team, fall reduction and patient satisfaction, to name a few.”
