Firelands Health nominates employee for Health Care Worker of the Year Award
(Sandusky, Ohio) Firelands Health has nominated Kimberly Thomas, BSN, RN, CEN, for the 2023 Ohio Hospital Association’s (OHA) Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year Award.
The Albert E. Dyckes Health Care Worker of the Year Award is presented annually to one Ohio caregiver who personifies a leader, consistently goes beyond the call of duty, exemplifies the mission, vision and values of their organization, and makes a positive impact in their community.
Thomas embodies the Firelands Health mission statement: "Provide excellent healthcare. Promote community wellness. Improve the lives we serve." During her 20 years at Firelands, Thomas has worked in the intensive care unit, emergency services department, COVID-19 unit, and currently works in the digestive health department. Thomas has worked as a nursing supervisor and has taught Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Life Support and CPR. In 2020, she retired from a 22-year career as a life flight nurse.
Thomas’ nomination stated, in part, "Kim is totally aligned with Firelands’ mission, vision and values. Her experience and skillset provide excellent care to our patients that is second to none. Every day that Kim walks through the doors of Firelands Regional Medical Center, she advances the mission by leading by example. She is the epitome of Firelands A.C.E. (Attitude, Commitment, Enthusiasm) Values," said Jennifer Lesch, RN, director of emergency services at Firelands. "Kim willingly works in any area of the hospital that she is needed. She motivates and inspires colleagues daily. She’s kind, caring, and referred to as ‘Momma Kim’ because of her nurturing nature."
Thomas is active in her church and in the Sandusky community, volunteering at the Sandusky Sailing Club and last summer’s Ironman triathlon. Her volunteer work at her church and throughout the community promotes community wellness while improving the lives of the people she serves. Her kind and generous spirit is felt by many.
"I have worked with Kim beginning back in our life flight and ED days together," commented Firelands’ Chief Medical Officer Scott Campbell, M.D. "Everyone always focuses in on how compassionate and caring she is, how she helps the community and brightens the day of every patient she comes in contact with. While that is all true, let us not overlook what a highly skilled and talented nurse she has become over the years. She takes on the most critical care aspects of nursing with ease, is constantly teaching so others can understand, and never turns down a challenge. Kim has gained the respect of many, including myself, by ‘walking the walk’ throughout her healthcare journey."
When asked what motivates her as a nurse, Thomas replied, "I want to go home every day knowing I gave my patients excellent care. I want them to have the care that I would want for my loved one. Having worked in nursing in this community for 45 years, I’ve taken care of generations of family members, friends, relatives and neighbors. Patients find comfort in a familiar face, especially when they may be having the worst day of their life." Thomas went on to say, "I love being part of this team we have at Firelands. Together, we do great things. The COVID-19 pandemic proved that. Thank you for the nomination, it means more than you know to this old nurse."
The award will be presented at OHA’s 108th Annual Meeting & Education Summit in June.
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