Melissa Bland from Delta Health Nominated for State-Wide Nightingale Award

March 16, 2018 – This year, Delta Health’s nominee to the Nightingale Event was medical/surgical nurse Melissa Bland. She was nominated for the category of Advocacy. Melissa looks at all aspects of the patient’s care, which includes bedside products that can provide additional comfort while the patient is in the hospital. She believes it is important to spend “real” time with the patient and allow them to voice their concerns, fears, and expectations. For Melissa, “This is what it is all about.”

“I would like to congratulate Melissa on her nomination and thank her for her excellence in nursing care. She is an advocate for her patients, anticipating needs, and going above and beyond the required expectations. Melissa is just one example of the many nurses’ that go above and beyond every day for the people that come to Delta Health for care,” commented Jody Roeber, RN, MSN, Chief Clinical Officer at the Delta hospital.

On March 10, 2018, the Western Colorado Annual Nightingale Awards Banquet was held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Grand Junction. This event honors nurses who best exemplify the nursing values of Florence Nightingale, a 19th-century nursing pioneer. Nurses across the State from all areas of nursing are nominated and recognized by their peers, managers, family or patients for their dedication to the Nursing profession. The State Nightingale Committee recognizes the clinical “beside nurse” and nursing leaders for the categories of Advocacy, Leadership and Innovation. This year there were 29 nominees from the Western Slope and six winners (Luminaries) will go on to the State Nightingale Event in Denver in May.

“Delta Health is very proud of their nominee and is blessed to have such a dedicated nursing staff that goes above and beyond for their patients and their community,” added Ramona Frazier, RN for Employee Health and Core Measure Coordinator at Delta Health.