Haley Hefley, specialty nurse at UnityPoint Clinic Surgery – Fort Dodge, received the A.C.E. Award at UnityPoint Health – Trinity Regional Medical Center.

She was nominated for the award by Dr. Laura Miegge, of UnityPoint Clinic Surgery – Fort Dodge. Hefley is described as continuously going above and beyond for team members, providers, and especially patients.

The A.C.E. Award stands for Always Committed to Excellence and recognizes individuals for one specific, exemplary action. Hefley received the award for assisting a patient with breast cancer needing surgery as soon as possible.

“I saw the patient on Thursday afternoon in the clinic, and Haley was able to get them scheduled for Monday,” Miegge said. “She worked very diligently to ensure everything was in place, so this patient could have surgery on Monday. Unfortunately, there was a minor possibility of a setback with the patient’s insurance and receiving prior authorization for the surgery. Haley was continuously in communication with the insurance company to ensure the authorization was taken care of prior to surgery and it wouldn’t be delayed.”

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Jessica Bailey, an advanced registered nurse practitioner with UnityPoint Clinic Kenyon Road Gastroenterology, recently received the A.C.E. Award.

Hefley went above and beyond by coming in on Sunday to ensure the clinic received the prior authorization via fax. It was received by the clinic when Hefley came in on Sunday.

“Haley was able to call the patient with the positive news and let them know that surgery was scheduled as planned for Monday,” Miegge said. “The patient was so happy and thankful Haley came in on the weekend to make sure this was taken care of to avoid a delay in patient care. Haley’s response when thanking her for going above and beyond was, “the patient was so appreciative and happy, and that’s all that matters“.”

The surgery team describes Hefley as a compassionate, caring and kind nurse to everyone she encounters in the workplace. Her nurse leadership skills have driven her to become an exceptional role model to her peers.

“As a provider, it means a lot to be able to trust a team that is always going above and beyond to make sure everything is in place and taken care of on such short notice – and to be able to give the best patient care,” Miegge said. “Haley continues to do this for all patients she encounters and is always initiating everything she can to give the best patient care and experience here at UnityPoint Clinic Surgery.”

Bailey wins ACE award at UnityPoint

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Speech therapist Kathy Hanley was named the May Employee of the Month.

Jessica Bailey, advanced registered nurse practitioner, UnityPoint Clinic Kenyon Road ­ Gastroenterology, received the A.C.E. Award at UnityPoint Health-Trinity Regional Medical Center.

She was nominated by her leader, Amy Castro, senior clinic administrator, for performing unexpected, selfless acts, which are above and beyond the job description and expectations in her role as a nurse practitioner.

The A.C.E. Award stands for Always Committed to Excellence and recognizes individuals for at least one specific, exemplary action.

At UnityPoint Health, team members can recognize each other through an online ‘Honoring YOU’ system. Bailey was recently recognized as a top Honoring YOU sender.

‘We ended up discussing Honoring YOUs at a meeting, and Jess took the opportunity to share tips and tricks to encourage the team to send more Honoring YOUs. The next morning, Jess brought in doughnuts with a note on them stating ‘You make the difference. Send an Honoring YOU to someone who made a difference in your week and get a doughnut!’ This seems so simple, yet is inspiring others to not only show appreciation, but also spread cheer and thankfulness to others, which is contagious. This reaches so much farther than just to her team in which she spoke with, but the trickle down is endless.”

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Patient Care Technician Megan Fisher recently received the ROSE Award.

Castro notes Bailey is deserving of an A.C.E. Award due to her selflessness and genuine care for team members.

“This has recently been displayed as Jess is donating her PTO to a team member who was unable to take a full 12 weeks of maternity leave for her first child,” she said. “Though this individual was very adamant against using Jess’s time, Jess’s persistence prevailed, and her timeout has been adjusted to allow for partial return for an additional four weeks.”

Hanley named Employee of the Month

Kathy Hanley, speech therapist, at Trinity Rehabilitation Services, was named the May Employee of the Month at UnityPoint Health – Fort Dodge.

Hanley was nominated by Susan Quade, Trinity Rehabilitation Services manager.

“Kathy is the queen of greeting cards,” Quade said. ” She sets out cards for all to sign and loves recognizing team members. Kathy even helped organize a gathering of outpatient team members when saying goodbye to Highland Park and hello to Entrance C at Trinity.”

While she is the primary speech therapist, Hanley openly admits to the areas she doesn’t excel at and will help find other providers to help with diagnoses she isn’t comfortable treating.

“Kathy feels the patient needs the best care, so she will help find it,” said Quade. “She is a strong advocate for UnityPoint Health and helps promote all services Trinity has to offer. She encourages everyone to do their best, share their concerns and communicate out to all as needed.”

Hanley leads Stroke Club and is a consistent member of the DNV Stroke Team.

“Kathy is passionate about her stroke patients and works to ensure she has a strong program to share with members each month,” Quade said. “She has a heart of gold and the patient at the forefront of every decision.”

Fisher receives ROSE Award

Megan Fisher, patient care technician in Acute Care, received the ROSE Award at UnityPoint Health – Trinity Regional Medical Center. She was nominated by a patient’s daughter.

Her nomination reads:

“My mother was an RN in the Trinity Nursery for many years. She was hospitalized, confused and unable to get her thoughts out. She had aphasia and needed the assistance of one to two people whenever she was up. Megan walked in the room after I pushed the call light so Mom could use the restroom. She was ready to do whatever was required. Megan was kind, patient, gentle and unhurried. After caring for Mom’s needs, she ordered her some food as Mom was unable to call the kitchen as was offered to other patients. Megan is an example of what all caregivers should be like.”

The ROSE Award stands for Recognition Of Service Excellence and is handed out to patient care technicians who consistently demonstrate excellence through clinical expertise, extraordinary service and compassionate care.