Adena medical staff recognized for their commitment to care

     Two outstanding nurses at Adena Health System have been nominated for Cameos of Caring awards, which will be presented later this year in a competition among nurses from throughout central Ohio.

     Jason Jones, RN, was chosen as this year’s Cameos of Caring Nominee and Alicia Kammler, CNP, was chosen as the Cameos of Caring Advanced Practice Nominee. They were among five people recognized during last week’s Adena Nurses Day Awards presentation.

     Both Jones and Kammler will join other outstanding nurses who were chosen by their respective hospitals as Cameos of Caring nominees. One Cameos of Caring award will be presented in each of the two categories during a gala recognition dinner in October in the Greater Columbus Convention Center.

     Jones, a registered nurse in Adena’s Intensive Care Unit, was nominated based on his “patient-centric” approach to care, his support of patients and their families, and his commitment to providing quality care “that exceeds expectation.”

     He was among the first registered nurses from Adena to be trained for the health system’s open heart program and has since helped train other RNs in the ICU. Along with his CCRN certification, he has a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

     “He is definitely a role model for nursing professionalism and the drive for continuing education,” said one of those who nominated him for the Cameos honor. 

     Kammler, a nurse practitioner in the Adena Health Center – Jackson Family Practice & Pediatrics, was nominated based on her commitment to maintaining “open communications between physicians and patients,” enabling her to develop strong relationships with patients and her ability to identify patient concerns.

     “Alicia is a very positive and compassionate person who has made the patients feel comfortable and a part of her family,” according to someone who nominated her for the award.

     Three other awards also were presented during last week’s awards presentation. Debbie Bagnall, RN, in the Women’s and Children’s Center was presented the Power of Change Award for being in the forefront of multiple changes made in the center.

     The awards goes to a staff nurse or a member of the nursing team who has initiated a positive change that has impacted Adena’s employee and patient experience.

     Among other things, she championed the introduction of electronic medical records in the center and was instrumental in helping to evaluate the use of certain pain medications for women having C-sections.

     Tammy Zickafoose received the Jeremy Williams Outstanding PCA award. The award honors the late Jeremy Williams, an extraordinary Patient Care Association at Adena prior to his death.

     Zickafoose was recognized for the compassionate care she consistently provides to patients and her “cheerful, smiling and polite” disposition. Moreover, “She always brings forward ideas to improve the work flow and is willing to act (on behalf of improvement.”

     Dr. John Gabis received the Mentorship Magic award. Dr. Gabis, executive director of the PACCAR Medical Education Center on the campus of the Adena Medical Center, was recognized for his unyielding willingness to help others.

     “He passes words of encouragement, sage advice and recognition without directing or promoting his own agenda… He is a visionary and passes along the desire to see positive changes and new opportunities,” according to one of those who nominated him for the special honor. 

     “Each of these extraordinary people goes out of their way each day to help others. They are wonderful examples of the exceptional care that we strive to provide here at Adena and throughout southern Ohio,” said Denise Minor, Adena’s Chief Nursing Officer. 
 

About Adena Health System

     Adena Health System is an independent, not-for-profit and locally controlled healthcare organization serving the needs of 10 counties in south-central Ohio and employing more than 2,000 people. Adena provides specialty services typically found in larger medical centers, like open heart surgery, cardiac catheterization, cancer care and advanced orthopedic procedures, including reverse shoulder surgery, total joint replacement and minimally invasive spine surgery. The health system is based in Chillicothe, OH.