Monument Health Nurse, Clinical Experience Coach, Wins Statewide Honor
The South Dakota Healthcare Human Resource Association, (SDHHRA) — an affiliate of the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations (SDAHO) — has recognized Marcia Taylor, RN, Clinical Experience Coach, with the Spirit of Service Award.
This award recognizes an employee who has performed above and beyond the call of duty and has shown extraordinary acts of kindness in the community and/or for patients, visitors or fellow employees. Nominees embody the “spirit of service” through the qualities of kindness, respect, loyalty, dedication and hospitality — all qualities exemplified by Marcia.
Marcia has been in a number of roles in her almost 50 years of service to the Rapid City-based health care system, but as Clinical Experience Coach, she works to ensure that patients have the best experience possible. This includes providing valuable guidance in clinical situations as well as working with patients, families and fellow caregivers to find the best plan of care.
“Marcia is a tireless advocate for patients and their families. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, we have had a lot of discussions about Monument Health visitor policies,” said John Pierce, President of Rapid City Hospital and Market. “We had to ask if we should allow visitors, how many we should allow, if we make exceptions for some patients or if some departments are different than others. Marcia’s concern always centered around what was fair for patients and their families.”
From making arrangements for families of COVID-19 patients to thank caregivers for the care they provided to loved ones, to helping create a program that placed 200 iPads in patient rooms — allowing families another way to communicate with the patient, so that they wouldn’t feel so isolated — Marcia always strives to do what’s best for patients and families.
The Spirit of Service Award is usually presented at the annual SDAHO convention, but the 2021 in-person convention has been cancelled due to COVID-19. Because of this, the award was presented to Marcia by Nicole Kerkenbush, Monument Health’s Chief Nursing Officer, in a small ceremony.
