News and Events

Nichols Honored at Statewide Health Care Employee Recognition Program

MADISON (May 3, 2007) In partnership with the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA), Madison, Hudson Hospital participated in the statewide Health Care Employee Pride essay contest and invited applicants from hospital employees during the month of March.

Congratulations to the Hudson Hospital award recipient Lacinda Nichols, of the hospital’s registration and scheduling department. Nichols’ essay caught the eye of the judges for the respect and integrity it conveyed around the rewards of patient care:

“…every day I encounter at least one person, one patient, one family member that I can say I made a difference for…no matter how big or small my effort, it is the appreciative look in their eyes that say it all.”

Lacinda and members of her family were awarded a night’s stay and expenses paid at the Kalahari Resort and Water Park in Wisconsin Dells on April 26 along with her manager, Tracy Nelson. Both Nichols and Nelson represented Hudson Hospital along with 68 award winners from across the state and attended an awards banquet at the resort on April 26.

The program, sponsored by the Wisconsin Hospital Association (WHA), is designed to celebrate the health care workforce and recognize their “truly amazing” contributions to the health of their communities, according to Wisconsin Hospital Association President Steve Brenton.

“People who work in hospitals are among Wisconsin’s most dedicated and valuable employees. It takes special people to care for others and our communities are richer, safer, and healthier places to live because of these professionals,” Brenton added. “Whether they are on the front lines, or supporting those who deliver patient care, every health care employee helps improve the health status in the community where they live and work.”

Employees were asked to describe what led them to choose an occupation in health, and why they decided to work in a hospital. Hundreds of health care employees submitted essays. A committee at each health care facility selected the winning essay, and that person was honored at the recognition banquet on April 26.

The recognition program is co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Society of Healthcare Human Resources Administration, the Wisconsin Organization of Nurse Executives, and the Wisconsin Healthcare Public Relations and Marketing Society.

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Lacinda Nichols’ Essay Follows:

"I’ve had many roles in the health care field. At age 19 I became a nursing home certified nursing assistant. In 2001 I was hired by Hudson Hospital as an OB tech. Then two years ago I took a full time position as a surgical/GI scheduler and registrar.

To be honest, I find my current position more fulfilling than I had ever imagined. I not only schedule appointments for patients, I am their source to the information they forgot to ask, didn’t think to ask, or felt too silly to ask their doctor.

I was in the 7 th grade when I had my first surgery. It was a diagnostic mystery that ended in a hip surgery. The next year I had my appendix removed the day after Thanksgiving. My first two children were born by Cesarean Sections followed by 4 Vaginal Births, of which one was a twin birth. These events all have one thing in common. The health care staff I encountered gave me the opportunity to excel in my role as a front line health care worker. From the moment a patient walks into a facility, each person they come in contact with will leave an impression that is connected to the health care field.

Every day I encounter at least one person, one patient, one family member that I can say I made a difference for. In some instances it is as easy as helping someone find their way. In others it is coordinating a surgical date with a pre-op appointment after speaking to four different insurance representatives to give patient the piece of mind that we are in network and that this procedure will be covered. Now matter how big or small my effort, it is the look in their eyes that says it all: Thank you."

Lacinda Nichols
Scheduler
Hudson Hospital, Hudson