No matter the situation, Jessica Stroh always finds the right way to show people she cares
"Jessica is an exceptional nurse and one of those people who brings humor and light at just the right moment. This could be to a patient with a difficult diagnosis, a new staff member who is overwhelmed, or a colleague having a tough day."
September 13, 2022
Jessica Stroh, RN. Photo by Donn Jones.
Jessica Stroh, RN, a patient care coordinator in Neurology’s Movement Disorders Clinic, was honored with a Credo Award at the virtual August Leadership Assembly, but she is quick to direct the spotlight elsewhere.
“I work with some amazing colleagues,” she said. “Physicians, nurses, the administrative team… I just think I come to work and do my job. The fact that somebody thinks it’s worthy of an award is great.”
And her affection doesn’t stop with her colleagues – she cares deeply about the patients in the clinic, too.
“I love the patients we take care of,” she said. “I really feel like we help people navigate their illness in a way that they appreciate.”
The appreciation certainly flows back to Stroh, as well.
One of those nominating Stroh wrote: “Jessica is an exceptional nurse and one of those people who brings humor and light at just the right moment. This could be to a patient with a difficult diagnosis, a new staff member who is overwhelmed, or a colleague having a tough day. But her knowledge and concern provide a perfect balance, and people come away feeling that she cares for them.”
A specific example of her care for patients and colleagues, as well as her leadership and advocacy, involved researching and educating the clinical staff in the clinic about depression and suicidal ideation among some patients.
“In collaboration with social work and the neurology nursing team, she developed an algorithm with resources for her neuroscience nursing colleagues to use as a guide when they encountered these stressful and high-risk conversations,” the nomination said.
Here’s how one of those writing in support of her nomination summed it up: “The way Jessica works exemplifies the ideal point of service care we’d like for every single patient, every single time. When there is a need, she is creative and unstoppable in the way she advocates for our patients.
“She is, hands down, one of the most committed and sincere individuals I have ever worked with.”
If you are a VUMC employee, you can nominate a colleague for an Elevate Credo Award, Five Pillar Leader Award, or Team Award. Visit the Elevate website to fill out a nomination form. Employees demonstrate credo behaviors when: they make those they serve the highest priority; respect privacy and confidentiality; communicate effectively; conduct themselves professionally; have a sense of ownership; and are committed to their colleagues. Elevate award nominations are accepted year-round. If a nomination is received after the cut off for an award selection period, the nomination will be considered for the next period. VUMC Voice will post stories on each of the award winners in the weeks following their announcement.
