Southwestern Vermont Health Care Grants 2016 Nursing Awards
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BENNINGTON, Vt. — Karen Hewson has been honored as this year's recipient of the "Search for Excellence" at Southwestern Vermont Health Care.
Every year, SVMC honors a nurse whose accomplishments in the areas of leadership, service and scholarship are worthy of the health system’s highest recognition. Hawsom was celebrated at the SVHC’s 2016 Nurses Week Celebration in May.
Hewson received her associate’s in nursing at Sisters of St. Joseph, a bachelor’s in nursing at Southern Vermont College and a master’s in nursing at the University of Phoenix. She holds additional certifications in emergency nursing, critical care nursing, and post-anesthesia care. She has worked as a nurse for 44 years.
Most recently, Hewson helped develop Southwester Vermont Medical Center’s Transitional Care Program for high-risk patients. The program provides a nurse to accompany patients through the medical system and during home visits with the aim of reducing inpatient admissions.
“I worked in the Emergency Department for 20 years. I had some speculation about what patients were up against in their home environments. Now I get to really see it and help them get over those barriers,” Hewson said. “And I am afforded more time with the patient, which is exactly what they need.”
Honorees are known for excellence in nursing practice, professionalism and development of other health care providers, sensitivity and compassion in their professional relationships. Active in shared governance, committee involvement. In addition, two non-nurse staff were also awarded for their contributions to excellence in nursing: Hospitalist Elizabeth A. Whateley, MD, is the 2016 Magnet Provider, and Gary Strubel, knowledge and instructional analyst, is the Spirit of Magnet honoree.
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