Published: May 9, 2023
LANSING, MI – A registered nurse at E.W. Sparrow Hospital has been honored with the Michigan Health & Hospital Association’s (MHA) Q2 Keystone Center Speak-up! Award for advocating for a patient recovering from a cesarean section.
Cheryl Kay, a nurse in Sparrow’s Labor and Delivery Unit, is the third Sparrow caregiver to receive the honor since the award began in 2016, a reflection of Sparrow’s commitment to quality and safety.
The patient had a low urine output but Kay advised a physician to delay a rapid fluid infusion since the patient had preeclampsia. As a result, the new mother did not receive the infusion and had a normal recovery.
“Caring for a mother so that she can care for her baby is one of the most fulfilling aspects of my job,” Kay said. “I’m proud to be able to advocate for my patients to ensure their quickest and fullest recovery so they can confidently tend to their new baby.”
Sparrow nurse Cheryl Kay displays her Speak-up! Award from the Michigan Health & Hospital Association.
Honoring Sparrow nurse Cheryl Kay are (from left) James Dover, President and CEO, Sparrow Health System; John Pirich, chair, Sparrow Health System Board of Directors; MHA CEO Brian Peters; Kay; MHA Vice President Sarah Scranton; and Paul Entler, D.O., Sparrow Chief Clinical Officer.
The MHA Keystone Center Speak-up! Award is given out quarterly to celebrate caregivers or teams in Michigan hospitals demonstrating a commitment to the prevention of patient or staff harm and to empower caregivers to speak up on behalf of patient and caregiver safety. At Sparrow, the health and safety of our patients, caregivers, and visitors is always our top priority.
“Team members like Cheryl consistently exemplify the high safety and quality standards we set for ourselves at Sparrow Health System,” said Paul Entler, D.O., Sparrow Health System’s Chief Clinical Officer. “She deserves to be recognized for acknowledging the complexity of her patient’s condition and ensuring all aspects were considered in their treatment plan.”
The MHA presents the Speak-up! Award quarterly to nominees from throughout the state.
“It is clear through Cheryl’s actions that the Sparrow Health System team is dedicated to advancing the quality of patient care, and we are thrilled to be celebrating her commitment,” said MHA CEO Brian Peters.
For more information about Sparrow’s quality care, visit Sparrow.org.
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Sparrow is Mid-Michigan’s premier health care organization that includes hospitals in Lansing, Charlotte, St. Johns, Ionia and Carson City as well as Physicians Health Plan, Sparrow Care Network, Sparrow Medical Group, the Michigan Athletic Club, and AL!VE. Sparrow is affiliated with Michigan Medicine through the Sparrow Children’s Center and with Michigan State University’s three human health colleges. Through these partnerships and the dedication of our 10,000 Caregivers, Sparrow pursues a vision to be nationally recognized as a leader in quality and Patient experience. For more information, visit Sparrow.org.