Sara Allred, BSN, RN

I would like to commend Sara Allred for the way she consistently embodies our values of serving with empathy, partnering in health, and doing the right thing. Sara is an exceptional caregiver who demonstrates professionalism, composure, and compassion in even the most challenging situations. She creates a safe and supportive environment for both patients and staff, and her ability to remain calm under pressure makes a meaningful difference in patient care and team dynamics. Most importantly, she consistently does the right thing, acting with integrity, compassion, and a clear focus on patient and staff safety.

Sara truly exemplifies what it means to serve with empathy. During a particularly challenging situation, we were caring for a patient with a significant history of mental health concerns who was being verbally and physically aggressive toward staff and himself. The patient had exhibited violent behavior toward multiple staff members, was verbally abusive, and was spitting at caregivers. For the safety of both the patient and staff, restraints were required. Sara stepped in and approached the patient with patience, respect, and clear communication. She was able to connect with the patient in a way that helped him feel heard and understood.

As a result, the patient became calmer, stopped yelling and using profanity toward staff, and was able to communicate his concerns appropriately rather than acting out. Sara remained present with the patient, helping him relax and refrain from pulling against the restraints, which improved overall safety. Sara also demonstrated strong partnership in health by helping facilitate communication between the patient and the care team. Her approach allowed the patient to engage in a more appropriate and productive way, making it safer for staff to continue providing care. Her ability to de-escalate a high-risk situation and restore a safer care environment reflects her clinical judgment, professionalism, and commitment to quality care. Her ability to turn a high-risk situation into a safe and therapeutic interaction is a reflection of the kind of caregiver we all strive to be.