Please help us congratulate...
Lisa H.
Her
nominator wrote…
I’d like to nominate Lisa from EVS for employee of the month. Lisa always shows a willing to be flexible and help out when and where there is need. She comes with a good attitude and smile on her face. Never complains when problems occur and offers solutions. She’s a great addition to the EVS/ hospital team and we appreciate having her on the team. I would love to nominate Lisa H. for January. She is such a hardworking individual whose dedication keeps our facility running smoothly. She ensures that the ER beds, Lab, and neighboring departments are always maintained to the highest standards. Lisa is incredibly proactive; whether she receives a call or simply anticipates a need, she arrives ready to assist immediately. While many credit our nighttime operations to the NOC staff, Lisa is truly the hidden superwoman who’s behind the scenes efforts keep the entire hospital functioning.
Personal Attributes
Where did you grow up, and what brought you to your current city?
I grew up in Fairfield, CA, moved to Chico for 4.5 years to get my undergraduate degree at Chico State, then to Missoula, MT to get my Doctorate of Physical Therapy. My husband and I wanted to move back to California and he was able to find a job in Redding and that’s how I found Weaverville!
What is a fun fact about you that may surprise people?
A fun fact about me is that I am married to my high school sweetheart/ best friend and we now have a 11 month old son. Also, my family owned and operated a 32 acre walnut farm in Woodland, and I would spend a lot of my summers working on the farm.
What is the best piece of advice someone has given you?
The best advice someone has given me is to have a good work/life balance. Especially in a job where you pour everything into your patients you also have to make sure you’re filling your own cup. Although difficult to maintain, I think it has made me a better PT, wife, mom, and just human when I am able to do things that also fill my own cup.
Career Journey
What drew you to this field, and how did you get started?
I have always wanted to be a PT since I was 10 years old. I grew up playing soccer from when I was 4 all the way through high school and was always active, so I knew I needed to have a job that was more physical. I started in the field by spending hundreds of hours shadowing other PTs, asking questions, and always staying curious and then I got a job as a physical therapy aide in a clinic and I was hooked.
What is your favorite part about your job and why?
My favorite part of the job is definitely the people! I love working with people to help them all achieve their personal goals. There is no better feeling in the world then being a small part of someone’s journey and helping achieve things that they didn’t think was possible.
Is there anything people don’t understand about your job that you wish they did?
I think a couple things that people don’t realize about PTs is the wide range of things we treat from pelvic floor to wound care to vestibular dysfunction, it’s not just orthopedic conditions! PTs have a very wide scope of practice and can help patients with a lot of conditions. I think another thing people don’t realize about physical therapy is that , although PT is magical, you have to put in the work to make change! Our job as PTs is to help give you a roadmap to your own healing.
Perspective on the Organization
What about this job and company appealed to you?
I love Trinity Hospital because of the tight knit community and collaboration between providers. Everyone is so warm and more than willing to help if you have an issue and I believe because of that we are able to provide quality care to every patient!
The DAISY Award® is a special honor given to extraordinary nurses for the compassionate contributions they make every day going above and beyond expectations in science and sensitivity.
Congratulations to
Here's what her nominators said about her:
Heidi Johnson, FNP:
Angie was asked to help with a patient's pain and anxiety management at the end of life and did such a beautiful job of helping the patient pass peacefully. She answered the patient's significant other's questions, comforted both he and the patient, and overall assured that this end-of-life patient had a peaceful passing.
Anonymous:
I would like to nominate Angie for the Daisy Award, recognizing her for her compassion and dedication to improving the lives of others. Angie embodies the spirit of kindness and empathy that is truly inspiring. She creates an environment of trust and healing that uplifts everyone around her. Angie gets to know each and every one of her patients, she will sit with them, hold their hand and listens. You can hear her laughter coming from her patient's rooms. I'll watch her. She plays cards, puts puzzles together, and even finds them donated clothes. One time she went home and got a pair of shoes for a patient who had none. Today one of her patients wanted a piece of cherry pie. He was very happy! in Angie we see the very best of what a nurse can be. Compassionate healer, and unwavering advocate to all. It is an honor to nominate Angie VandenPlas, RN for this well-deserved recognition.
Angie’s compassion, dedication and genuine care for her patients, colleagues, and community make this award so well deserved. Congratulations, Angie!!!
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