Sparta Community Hospital’s Nursing Staff held their annual Nurses Shining Star Awards during National Nurses Week, May 6-12.  Hospital staff nominated their favorite shining star nurse or nursing support employee throughout the week in celebration of Nurses Week.

The following employees were the 2022 Shining Star recipients.

ER Registered Nurse, Keri Impastato, has been chosen by her peers to receive a Shining Star recognition for 2022. Keri has been employed at Sparta Hospital since November of 2014.

“Keri briefly worked in the Med Surg department before transitioning to the Emergency Department.”  States Paula Cunningham, ER Supervisor.  “Keri is an amazingly skilled nurse and a fierce patient advocate. She goes above and beyond to provide exceptional care to our ER patients. Keri often works extra shifts to help-out, not only in the ER but the Med Surg Department as well.  A co-worker had this to say about her.”  “Keri is an exceptional nurse, coworker, and friend. She is so compassionate and treats every patient as though they are her family (or neighbor). There isn’t anything Keri won’t do to help out.”

“Keri is a very valuable piece of the ER group that makes up an outstanding team who work so well together to provide care to the communities we serve.” Continues Cunningham.  “We are blessed to have worked alongside her for many years and look forward to many more.  We appreciate Keri for her continued commitment and feel she is very deserving of this recognition.”

 

 

 

ER CNA, Ward Clerk, Taylor Hepp, has been chosen by her peers to receive a Shining Star recognition for 2022. Taylor has been employed    at Sparta Community Hospital since December of 2018.

“Taylor’s position involves clinical and clerical duties, as she is one in a group of five individuals that work alongside

the physicians and nurses to assist in the care of our patients.”  States Paula Cunningham, RN, ER Supervisor.  “Taylor is currently furthering her education and manages to balance that with work and will make herself available anytime she is needed.  She has also assisted in the Med Surg department many times.  Taylor’s positive attitude, caring nature, and dedication to the Emergency Department staff and patients makes her very deserving of this recognition. She is truly valued and appreciated.”

 

 

 

Med Surg Registered Nurse Elizabeth Bruce has been chosen by her peers to receive a Shining Star recognition for 2022. Beth has been employed at Sparta Hospital since September 2019.

“We are very proud of Beth for notonly her commitment to Sparta Community Hospital, but her Military achievements as well.  States Lori Clinton, Chief Nurse Executive. “Beth enlisted in the Illinois National Guard in 1999 as a Medical Administrative Technician.  She obtained the rank of E7 and was commissioned as an officer during COVID Duty in 2020.  Her current enlisted title is ‘Nurse’, and we think she is a fabulous one.”

“Following are a few of the many things that her co-workers and our providers had to say about Beth.”

“Beth is very attentive to details and in tune with any little problems her patients may have.”

“She will do anything she needs to do to care for her patients.”

“Beth always has a patient first mentality and never a, that’s not my job, attitude.”

“She is very helpful to the CNA’s.”

 

“Beth always works more than her required shifts and helps in the ER when needed.”

“For these reasons and many more, we feel that she is very deserving of this recognition, and she truly is an asset to this organization. We hope to work alongside Beth for many years to come and appreciate her continued dedication.”

 

 

OR Registered Nurse, Susan Brown, has been chosen by her peers to receive a Shining Star recognition for 2022. She has been employed at Sparta Community Hospital since October 2014.

“Susan works in the operating room as a surgical first assist, circulator, and pre/post op nurse.” States Leslie Ferrari, RN, Surg

ical Services Director.  “During the pandemic, Susan has also worked on the Med Surg floor to  help with staffing.  Since she has been working with staff outside the operating room, others have noticed the wonderful care she provides patients.  Susan being a wonderful addition to our staff has been mentioned by several staff members from different departments.”

“She is always eager to learn and expand her knowledge for the well-being of her patients.”

“Susan’s caring nature and pleasant demeanor makes her very deserving of this recognition.” Continues Ferrari.  “We hope to continue to work alongside Susan for many more years and appreciate her continued dedication.”

 

 

OR support staff, Malia Rodgers, Operating Room Technician, has been chosen by her peers to receive a Shining Star recognition for 2022.  She has been employed at Sparta Hospital since March 2018, at this time.  Malia worked at Sparta Community Hospital several years ago and moved on to Barnes Hospital to be a Surgical Tech on the Spinal Floor, but eventually wanted to come back to Sparta Community Hospital where she was able to be closer to home.

“Malia is a very determined young person with a lot of ideas to benefit her patients and the hospital.”  States Leslie Ferrari, RN, Surgical Services Director.  “During covid, she began to do clerical tasks on the Med Surg floor.  Malia being a wonderful asset to the organization, has been repeated multiple times.  She is always willing to work extra when needed.”

“We hope to work alongside Malia for many years to come.” Continues Ferrari.  “We appreciate her continued dedication, and her desire to help patients and staff makes her very deserving of this recognition.”

 

 

 

 

CNA, Victoria Welton, has been chosen by her peers to receive a Shining Star recognition for 2022. Victoria has been employed at Sparta Community Hospital since November of 2021.

“She always displays a positive attitude that makes her a pleasure to work with.”  States Lori Clinton, Chief Nurse Executive.  “She is always willing to help and keeps very busy caring for our patients.  She has been recognized by patients for going above and beyond to deliver exceptional care.  A co-worker stated that Victoria never complains when asked to help and is always sweet to the patients and staff”.

 “Victoria’s positivity and work ethic models the Sparta Community Hospital Standards of Behavior.”  States Clinton.  “That is what makes her very deserving of this recognition.”