They juggle multiple tasks and responsibilities, but all are guided by the values of excellence, purpose, compassion and team.
By Maureen Gilmer, IU Health senior writer, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org
Kristin G. Miller has a habit of selecting a word at the start of every year – a word that serves as a mantra of sorts, something to guide her through the days.
This year, the word she picked – quite appropriately – was value.
Appropriate because Miller, director of nursing practice and Magnet program director for Riley Children’s Health, was surprised last week with a Values Leadership Award as a Distinguished Leader.
The Indiana University Health Values Leadership Awards are presented annually to recognize team members who exemplify the IU Health values of excellence, compassion, team and purpose, both at work and in their community.
Others recognized at Riley were outpatient infusion nurse Stacy Nance, labor and delivery patient care assistant Donna Talley and the Nursing Professional Development team.
In selecting “value” for her 2024 theme word, Miller said, “I told my team that as nurses we must demonstrate our value while also living out our values in the work we do every day.”
Too often, the work of a nurse goes unnoticed, she said. Of course, nurses don’t enter the profession for recognition. They do what needs to be done to help people. But appreciation matters.
“The work of the nurse lies in the patient story,” Miller said. “And we’re not always great about telling those stories.”
One of her responsibilities, she said, is to encourage the team she leads to share the work they’re doing and the difference they’re making.
Laura Koke, clinical program manager for nursing practice, nominated Miller for the award, saying her boss commits to the IU Health way every day and advocates for the growth, development and recognition of fellow nurses at all levels.
“Her passion, dedication to excellence and attention to detail are among the reasons that I believe Riley and IU Health are moving toward the vision of transforming healthcare to make Indiana one of the nation’s healthiest states,” Koke said.
“It is an honor to know her, be inspired by her and be led by her. I am positive IU Health is better because she is on our team.”
STACY NANCE
Like Miller, Stacy Nance was surprised by her team with the Values Leadership Award for Nursing.
Previously honored with the Margaret Martin Roth Award for excellence in nursing, Nance spends most of her time in the hematology-oncology outpatient infusion area, but also lends her nursing skills to the cleft and craniofacial clinic team on Mondays.
She is also a mentor, a researcher and a facilitator. Known for her multi-tasking, she quipped: “I have a lot of people straightening my crown and adjusting my cape.”
Like her peers, none of what she does would happen without the team around her, all superheroes in their own right.
“I feel so honored to work with my team at Riley, and I feel like together we’re just able to move things forward,” she said.
For Nance, that also means investing time in health equity efforts, a passion project.
“This past year, I’ve been able to make strides with colleagues to create an interdisciplinary council at Riley to address social determinants of health,” she said. “All in an effort to improve health outcomes for our children at Riley and their families.”
Next summer, she will participate in a visit to Eldoret, Kenya, as part of Indiana University’s AMPATH Global Health program.
Koke describes Nance as innovative, someone who challenges the status quo and strives for excellence in herself and others.
DONNA TALLEY
Donna Talley, recognized with a VLA in the category of professional team member, has been a unit tech, then PCA on the labor and delivery unit at Riley since maternity care moved to Riley from IU Health Methodist Hospital. In all, she has spent more than 20 years at Methodist and Riley, assisting patients as they deliver babies.
Calling herself a jack-of-all-trades, Talley said she loves the nursing team she works with and feels good at the end of every shift, knowing she has done her best.
“I do the best I can do to help the families, the nurses, anyone who needs help,” she said. “This award means so much to me. I was not expecting it, but it really touched my heart.”
Brianna Mosley, manager of clinical operations in the Maternity Tower Labor and Delivery Unit, said Talley always demonstrates leadership within the PCA team.
“She trains all of our new hires to ensure that they learn appropriately so that they have the best chance of success on our unit,” Mosley wrote in her nomination of Talley. “She is always working hard with her co-workers and the nurses to help keep our unit running as smoothly as possible.”
In times of emergency, Talley is always right there, ready to help in any way possible, Mosley said, whether that be gathering supplies, getting blood or helping the family.
“Our entire team is so grateful for all that she does without being asked. She exemplifies our values and is cherished by everyone on our unit.”
NURSING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Also recognized last week with a VLA was the Nursing Professional Development Team, led by Sarah Hardacker, which has driven change in the approach to nursing education and professional growth.
From July 2023 to July 2024, the Riley NPD team welcomed hundreds of new nurses and nursing support team members. In addition, 84 team members have advanced to the coach/preceptor role and 38 nurses moved into charge nurse roles.
“The team has demonstrated exceptional influence in developing others through innovative training programs and workshops,” according to the nomination. “They have facilitated leadership development sessions that have empowered nurses to take on leadership roles and participate actively in decision-making processes. Their dedication to nurturing talent has resulted in a more confident and capable nursing workforce.”
Photos submitted and by Mike Dickbernd, IU Health visual journalist, mdickbernd@iuhealth.org