Karen Simmons Celebrates 35 Years at CHI St. Vincent with Service Hero Award

Congratulations Karen Simmons, Surgery Scheduler, for being named a CHI St. Vincent Infirmary Service Hero!

Karen Simmons just celebrated 35 years of service at CHI St Vincent. During that time she has spent time in sterile processing, Conifer, and as a surgery scheduler.

There was a need for someone to be in the surgery waiting room and help people until a volunteer arrived for their shift. Her peers immediately thought of her because not only would she take her role very seriously, but she would always be there, and on time.

“Karen didn’t hesitate when we approached her about this huge need for the department,” a coworker said.

“Having this person is extremely critical early in the morning, not only as a patient satisfier, but as a safety net for these patients,” said Robbie Snow, surgery director.

Her colleagues say when she arrives in the morning, she starts organizing the waiting room, meets with patients and their families, and works with the holding staff to stagger patients in to be prepared for surgery as directed.

Recently, Karen approached a patient in the waiting room and she could tell by the way he was holding himself that something wasn’t right. The patient admitted he was having some chest discomfort. The nurses in holding were busy handing a code, so she immediately went to Snow and asked him to come check on this patient.

“Karen is not a nurse, but her quick response that something didn’t seem right, potentially diverted a bad outcome for this patient,” said a coworker.

“I strongly believe that if it were not for Karen’s observations and judgment to notify someone of an issue, this man could have had a very different outcome. I would recommend Karen Simmons to be nominated for a Service Hero Award for having the courage to ask questions and alert the team that there was a patient in distress,” said Snow.