Nancy Farrand & Annette Campbell
Nancy Farrand, R.N. and Annette Campbell, R.N., have a love of their job and for children. They run the Score 1 for Health, a community health and education program of The University of Health Sciences that has touched the lives of more than 50,000 Kansas City area children since 1996.
As co-coordinators of Score 1 for Health, Farrand and Campbell lead teams of UHS clinical faculty and medical students, as well as nursing and dental student teams from across the community in conducting health screenings in area elementary schools. The program has touched more than 10,000 children in 32 Kansas City elementary schools.
"This program is successful thanks to the strong commitment UHS provides, and because our community and school partners are dedicated and concerned about the children we serve," Farrand and Campbell said.
Farrand joined Score 1 for Health, which was con-ceived by former Kansas City Chief Deron Cherry and the late Robert G. Ricci, D.O., a UHS alumnus, in 1993. Campbell whose dedication to children's health was strengthened by her own child's diagnosis with cystic fibrosis, joined in 1998. Cherry has continued to support the program through the Deron Cherry Foundation. Funding support is also received by Bayer Corp., the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and NFL Charities.
"Nancy and Annette personify the University's core values of leadership, humility, faith and positivity, integ-rity, compassion and service," said University President and Chief Executive Officer Karen Pletz, J.D. "They lead as examples to others. They do so quietly, without acclaim. Their faith has grown the program so that it reaches more needy children whose success stories abound and can be shared with others. They never seek attention, yet they give much and have benefited many. Compassion is a hallmark of every interaction."
Karen Kopischke
Karen Kopischke, R.N., M.S., N.N.P., smiles as she talks about the tiny babies she cares for in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Overland Park Regional Medical Center. She is a neonatal nurse practioner-- a specialized nursing field focusing on the care of newborn high-risk infants.
Kopischke said the babies in the NICU are so tiny and fragile to look at, but they are tough as nails. In just a few short weeks, many of the babies grow out of being critically ill.
"It's just wonderful to watch the babies get bigger and act more robust and mature with each new day," she said. "Many children go home to grow up and live happy, healthy lives."
Caring for infants in the NICU involves getting to know the families of the patients.
"I really joy helping these families realize their dreams by being able to take home these babies. It is so hard to see a family whose heart has been ripped out by having a sick baby."
That's why Kopischke continually raises the bar for herself, fellow parishioners and bedside nurses. She works with the nursing staff encouraging them to expand their knowledge base and to grow as nurses. She also coordinates the involvement of the hospital's NICU that monitors trends in premature babies throughout the nation.
In 2003, Karen was selected as a board member for the National Association of Neonatal Nurses and was recognized locally for her professional work as one of the 10 recipients of the 2003 Heart of Healthcare Award. In her free time, Kopischke volunteers for the March of Dimes and educates the public about prematurity in babies.
Margaret White
Just when she thinks she's seen it all there is something new that comes up when she works with patients at the Pulmonary Clinic at Truman Medical Center. Yes, there are times when White thinks to herself it's time to get out of nursing. Then she takes a deep breath and heads into to work again and that's when she finds a special patient who makes her glad she's a nurse. For White, what goes around comes around.
White is someone who goes above and beyond to help the underserved patients who come to Truman Medical Center. It is not unusual for her to drive a patient home, deliver sample medications or go to a pharmacy and pick up prescriptions and deliver them to a patient who has no family.
She said several of her clients/patients don't have transportation and they need the medicine--and if that is stopping them from getting better then she feels obligated to help them out.
"She is tireless and really an angel for the patients in the TMC pulmonary clinic. As recently as last fall, she and I both went at separate times to the home of a long-term TMC patient who was dying of lung cancer and sat with the family and held the patient's and the family's hand," said Sandra Willsie, vice president for Academic Affairs and Dean, The University of Health Sciences-College of Osteopathic Medicine. "She does this after-hours, on her own time, and never asks for recognition." She's truly a hero.
Angie Knackstedt
Angie Knackstedt, R.N.C., B.S.N., says her job has evolved from being a staff and charge nurse into educating thousands of people on how to keep children healthy and safe. She joined Children's Mercy Education Department in 1984. She has created or led innovative patient and family education programs for various departments, off-site clinics and Children's Mercy South and Children's Mercy Home Care.
To help educate parents about childhood illnesses, Knackstedt, came up with the "Care Card" program at Children's Mercy. The program began in 1991 and today there are more than 400 topics discussed on the cards. She has also chaired the Patient/Family Education Committee for 10 years and also co-chairs the Nursing Ethics Committee.
She's a leader in coordinating and developing an annual Back to School conference for school nurse professionals. More than 200 nurses attend this conference each year.
"This past August we talked about diabetes and asthma in children and how to help these students when they are at school," Knackstedt said. "The school nurses got to see the latest equipment to help them on the job. It also serves as a great networking time for school nurses to connect." She has worked with the Safe Kids coalition since it began in the 1980's and currently serves as chair of the Maternal Child Health Coalition and is active in the coalitions' immunization program.
Knackstedt is also a breast cancer survivor, serves on the board of the Cancer Association and is active in their Relay for Life and pink ribbon luncheons.
Deb Kueker
Deb Kueker When patients want to find Deb Kueker, R.N., head nurse for the Urology Clinic at KU Medical Center, they do it by telephone. She's been in patient care for 30 years and feels it is very important when working in a big institution such as KU Med that patients can call and talk to a live person. She stays many nights until 9 p.m. answering phone calls from the patients.
"I spend time with patients from all over the state via telephone especially when they are getting tough diagnoses of cancer or are facing surgery," Kueker said. "This is when they're asking many questions and I always try to be there for them." Kueker is known throughout the State of Kansas as one of the best nurses in urology. She is often sought out as a speaker at national conventions and is published in the area of enterostomal nursing. She has also served as a research coordinator for a multitude of clinical trials.
"The patients adore Deb and constantly speak of how gentle and helpful she is in their care," said J. Brantley Thrasher, MD. "I don't believe anyone is more deserving of this honor (Hero in Healthcare) than Deb Kueker. If I am unfortunate enough to get sick, I only hope that I am fortunate enough to have a nurse
Marcia McCoy
Marcia McCoy, R.N., M.S.N., uses every type of medium she can to get the word out about cardiovascular health for women. She's a frequent speaker to both lay and professional audiences; she's been on TV, radio, and in the newspaper. Not to mention hosting a national forum with the First Lady of the United States, Laura Bush.
McCoy is proud to say she's been a nurse for 30 years with 21 years in cardio- vascular critical care. She's really a pioneer for heart health in women. With her knowledge and passion, she helped open the country's first Women's Cardiac Center, where she serves as director. The center has educated and empowered more than 30,000 women in the Kansas City area about their risk for heart disease. What is unique about McCoy is that she tells women it is OK to get involved in their health. By making appropriate health care choices for themselves and their loved ones.
"I tell women to take a proactive role in taking care of their health," McCoy said. "What I do for myself dies with me. But, what I do for others lives on and is eternal. I talk about health care education. Because we take health care for granted. Lets be proactive. Education is power."
She also leads a community public access defibrillation initiative, which strives to have Kansas City recognized as one of the top ten "Heart Safe Communities" in the United States by 2005. These defibrillators are now in many workplaces, churches, restaurants, sporting events and other public places.