ENDO ALL STARS

Southern Hospitality: Carraway Methodist Medical Center Endoscopy Team Shines

Patricia Johnson

Found in the heart of Birmingham, Ala., endoscopy team members at Carraway Methodist Medical Center use their faith to help patients get through anxiety before procedures.

"Each nurse is unique in the care they provide for the patients," says Barbara Turner. "Pat Gracie, a GI technician whose lab coat is adorned with angels, often prays with fearful patients before procedures. The nurses enjoy the work atmosphere of the GI lab and they stay when they get here. We joke about our department motto: Our business is looking up every day."

Turner says to complement the 150 years of combined nursing experience her staff offers are a team of physicians who are easy to work with.

"Staff turnover is very low, which we contribute to working with two great physicians," she says. "Ralph Lyerly, MD, and Charles Dasher, MD, have a combined total of 64 years of experience. We also have a great director, Kuruvilla George. Both physicians are very well known in the field of gastroenterology. Dr. Lyerly, chairman of the Department of Medicine, may be found attending numerous committee meetings, Dr. Dasher, chair of the credentials committee, may be found in X-ray, doing an ERCP to prevent a patient from having surgery."

Turner says the 10-member staff has become like family, celebrating the holidays in each other's homes and always remembering birthdays. Also, their friendships have improved the care of patients by providing a more welcoming environment.

"The excellent physician and nursing care has contributed to an increase in patient load and we have outgrown our area. The procedure total for one month is approximately 500. The physicians and nurses have requested a move to a larger area so we can have more space. Everyone in the GI lab is great to work with and it's easy to be a manager when everyone works so well together. Our main goal is providing excellent care for each patient."

Awesome job, Carraway Methodist Medical Center endoscopy team members!

Patricia Johnson: All Star with Lifetime Dedication to Nursing

Patricia Johnson, RN, has worked for more than 30 years in some facet of nursing, including 15 years' experience in the endoscopy suite.

Coworker Kathy Street says Johnson is an Endo All Star because of her "dedication to the job."

"She is a dedicated employee who works long hours and goes above and beyond the call of duty," Street writes. "She started the 'My Music and Me' once a month in-service that employees enjoy greatly."

Johnson is a clinical coordinator at Columbus Regional Medical Center in Columbus, Georgia and is also the chairperson elect of the Western Division Gastroenterology Society. She is married with three adult children and also has grandchildren. Her life goals include finishing her BSN.

Bravo, Patricia! Your hard work has not gone unnoticed!

For more information, visit: www.carraway.org. 

For an Endo All Star application, email: kdonley@vpico.com or visit: www.endonurse.com.

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