Caregiver Spotlight

Allison Ulstad, RN, clinical coordinator at SMG Urology in Lansing, goes above and beyond to help her patients understand their care.

Lori Thaler, a nurse at SMG Family Residency Mason, goes above and beyond to put the well-being of her patients first.

Kayla Brooke, RN, a Sparrow Hospital nurse, goes above and beyond to care for her patients, listen to their needs, and make them feel comfortable with their plan of care.

Hovita Smith, RN, a Sparrow St. Lawrence Outpatient Surgery nurse, goes above and beyond to make sure her patients feel comfortable before and after surgery.

Jennifer “JJ” Brandt, RN, a Sparrow Hospital Emergency Department nurse, goes above and beyond to be a voice for her patients and to advocate on their behalf. That’s one reason she is this month’s Caregiver Spotlight.

Marci Stier, RN, a nurse at Mary Free Bed at Sparrow, goes above and beyond to listen to patients and put their minds at ease as they undergo rehabilitation.

Rachel Higgins, Inpatient Rehab Scheduling Specialist at Sparrow Hospital, always thinks about how she can help someone else, including giving them her own coat and boots.

Kara Follick, a Patient Care Technician on Sparrow Hospital’s Float Team, goes above and beyond to do “those extra little things” for patients to lift their spirits and help them feel better, including braiding a patient’s hair.

Michelle Nugent, RN, a nurse in the Med-Surg Unit at Sparrow Ionia Hospital, goes above and beyond for her patients and their families, including bringing music to calm a lonely patient.   

Jennifer Parsons is a driver/courier for Sparrow Pharmacy Plus and she is this month’s Caregiver Spotlight. Jennifer loves helping people and has a keen awareness of patient needs. So, when she encountered an elderly woman who was having an allergic reaction and difficulty breathing, she called for help and assured the frightened woman that she would stay by her side until EMS arrived.

Rockey Phillips is one of Sparrow’s many behind-the-scenes heroes who help keep the health system and patient care on track. Rockey, who works for Facilities Management at Sparrow Hospital, goes out of his way to assist everyone, no matter the job, with no complaints, according to his colleagues.

Sara Detlor volunteered to be the primary physical therapist on the COVID floors at Sparrow Hospital at the beginning of the pandemic.