May 2010
Malinda
Young
,
BSN, RN
Conroe Outpatient-Based Clinic
Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center
Houston
,
TX
United States

 

 

 

I would like to nominate Malinda Young RN, Conroe Clinic, for the May 2010 Daisy Award.
Ever wonder how you can keep going ever day, when staffing is horrible, needs and responsibilities pile up and attitudes plummet.  Well you get really lucky with an RN who not only steps up to the plate wherever needed but smiles about it and holds patient care always high above expectations.  There are leaders in the front of the pack, clearly designated  in their  management and charge nurse roles, but then there are leaders from within the center of direct patient care staff.  Ms. Young has a heart of gold.  How lucky we were that Ms. Young was chosen four years  ago to fill a Conroe Staff Nurse position. 
She lead the way to Conroe Clinic exceeding Hypertension Goals for the Conroe Clinic.  She is always looking for new best practices to enhance patient participation and compliance to wellness goals. She establishes strong professional relationships with her patients and her report with them is contagious to other staff observing her interactions. During some of the most trying situations you can hear her say, “Well bless his little heart, he is having such a hard time” Ms.  Young has also reached beyond expectations, personally purchasing and supplying snacks and juices for our diabetic and hungry patients in clinic, especially needed as there are no vendor foods available in the CBOC.  She has maintained a constant supply for any and all staff to access whenever needed. 
Malinda Young has for the past 2 years purchased over 3 dozen new jackets for our Veterans who come into clinic with old and tattered jackets, or no jackets at all.  She has worked with all the clinic staff and Volunteers making sure that those in need have a jacket to keep them warm and healthy during the Cold.
 
The attached picture is Ms. Young with her VA Colleagues once again stepping above and outside the normal patient care realm, participating as a supporting  member of the Lone Star World War II Honor Flight to Washington D. C. this month.   There were 115 WWII Veterans taken to Washington D.C. to see their WWII Memorial.  The trip started at 4 am Saturday returning at 2 am Sunday. 
 
She truly shines as a representative and ambassador for Nursing  and the VA.  She truly holds me and this clinic up.  This kind of employee is a blessing, a pleasure and I am proud to be her colleague.