HCA Excellence in Nursing Award Recipients

Jul 26, 2019 at 03:55 pm by Staff


HCA Healthcare's knowledgeable and compassionate nurses are on the front line of patient care. Every day, nurses make the greatest single contribution to quality patient experiences, and no one embodies HCA Healthcare's commitment to patients more than nurses. HCA Healthcare supports its approximately 94,000 nurses by investing in their careers through learning opportunities and leadership development programs. HCA Healthcare is creating an environment where nurses have the ability to grow and practice at the top of their license, making HCA Healthcare a desired career destination for top nurses.Created in 2014, The HCA Excellence in Nursing Award recognizes the intrinsic value of the nursing practice in advancing HCA Healthcare's mission to care for and improve human life. With categories for professional mentoring and compassionate care, the HCA Excellence in Nursing Award recipients each receive a $5,000 gift and $5,000 donation to the charity of the recipient's choice.

Recipients of this year's HCA Excellence in Nursing Award are: Abby DeSesso, MSN, RN, Reston Hospital Center in Reston, Virginia; and Sheandi Richins, BSN, RN, CEN, TCRN, Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho.

"Nursing is a true calling, and I am incredibly proud of the HCA Healthcare nurses who provide compassionate care to our patients each day," said Jane Englebright, senior vice president and chief nurse executive for HCA Healthcare. "The recipients of this award are particularly remarkable individuals who set the standard for what it means to care like family--for our patients and each other."

Abby DeSesso, MSN, RN, received the HCA Excellence in Nursing Award in the Compassionate Care category. DeSesso is an ICU clinical coordinator and senior charge nurse at Reston Hospital Center. Throughout her six years with the hospital, she has demonstrated an outstanding ability to connect with patients and their families. DeSesso is known to have an endless supply of arts and crafts for the children of patients to help entertain them and make them less afraid in the ICU. She is known for finding unique ways to inspire hope for her patients. She often coordinates with respiratory and physical therapy team members to set-up the necessary equipment and medical devices to make it possible for ventilated patients to spend an afternoon outside enjoying the sunshine.

Sheandi Richins, BSN, RN, CEN, TCRN received the HCA Excellence in Nursing Award in the Professional Mentoring category. Richins has worked at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center for more than 15 years. In her role as emergency room clinical educator, Richins takes enormous pride in helping her colleagues reach their potential. She developed the New Graduate Emergency Room Program and the Primary Trauma Nurse Development Pathway, and created the "Outstanding Preceptor of the Quarter" award as a way to encourage fellow nurses. She uses her passion for fitness to support colleagues in need, including hosting a Zumbathon event to raise money for a colleague with brain cancer.

For more information about the HCA Healthcare Awards of Distinction, please visit www.HCATodayBlog.com.

Sections: Grand Rounds