Jennifer exemplifies Atrium Health’s mission through her leadership, compassion, and unwavering dedication to her patients and colleagues.

Improving Health
Jennifer’s commitment to clinical excellence became profoundly evident when a patient with stroke-like symptoms arrived after an extended stay in the emergency department. As charge nurse, Jennifer ensured the patient was comfortable, established rapport, and completed a thorough assessment to understand her baseline. They quickly formed a bond, sharing stories and discussing hopes for recovery. The patient, moved by Jennifer’s compassion, cried with gratitude.

The following day, Jennifer noticed subtle changes in the patient’s speech and immediately alerted providers. Her swift action led to the timely diagnosis of an active stroke, making the patient eligible for a lifesaving thrombectomy. Jennifer’s deep neuro expertise, vigilance, and meaningful connection with the patient were instrumental in preventing a potentially devastating outcome. After the procedure, the two reunited, both recognizing they were in the right place at the right time. It was a moment that perfectly reflected Jennifer’s belief that nursing is a calling—one she answers with heart and skill every single day.

Elevating Hope
Jennifer’s compassion extends far beyond the bedside. She demonstrated extraordinary commitment to a long-term patient by coming in on her day off to coordinate care, personally providing clothing, and collaborating with the interdisciplinary team to ensure a safe and dignified transition after discharge. She even created a comprehensive handoff tool for the receiving facility’s nursing staff, ensuring seamless continuity. Thanks to Jennifer’s dedication, the patient continues to thrive. Her actions reflect a profound understanding that healing is not just clinical, it is also about dignity, stability, and hope.

Advancing Healing
Jennifer wears many hats and regularly steps up to support her team, picking up extra shifts, organizing education, and identifying opportunities for improvement. Noticing a gap in stroke education, she transformed traditional presentations into an engaging, accessible video. Her clinical expertise, combined with creative innovation, made the information memorable and effective, empowering staff to better educate patients and families on stroke symptoms and timely response. Jennifer’s work elevated a critical clinical skill into a powerful learning experience.

For All
Jennifer embraces collaboration and fosters strong relationships across sister units. She works seamlessly with Charge Nurses, Nurse Managers, Neurology, CHG, and Staff Medicine, and her involvement in the neuro service line highlights her dedication to interdisciplinary partnership. She organized a meaningful event during a neuro service line meeting, screening Everybody’s Work, a film exploring diverse patient and nurse experiences. Jennifer facilitated a thoughtful discussion on equity, inclusivity, and creating supportive environments for both patients and colleagues. She also ordered culturally appropriate hair products for long-term stroke patients, ensuring their dignity and personal identity were honored during hospitalization.

Jennifer’s impact is profound and far-reaching, felt in her clinical excellence, compassionate advocacy, commitment to education, and dedication to equity. She embodies Atrium Health’s mission to improve health, elevate hope, and advance healing for all.