EAMC Honors Fallen Director with DAISY Leadership Award and Scholarship
October 20, 2020
Sharon Gess
A year ago today, the EAMC family endured a tragic loss with the unexpected death of Sharon Gess, who was the director of the Emergency Department (ED) and Emergency Medical Services (EMS). Last Friday, EAMC administrators as well as leaders from EAMC’s Emergency Services gathered in the hospital’s boardroom with Gess’ family to honor her posthumously with a DAISY Foundation Nurse Leader Award and announce a new scholarship in her memory.
“It’s hard to think about Sharon and the impact she’s had on this organization, and the many lives she touched,” said EAMC President and CEO Laura Grill. “I can’t say enough about how revered she is, and her tenacity, and how she blessed this organization.” Grill then shared exciting news with those gathered in the room as well as listening in virtually. “I want to announce today that this spring, we will award the first Sharon Gess Nursing Scholarship to an African American female going into nursing or furthering their career here in the nursing field,” stated Grill. “This will be an ongoing scholarship that we will award every year so that Sharon’s legacy and compassion for nursing will live on.”
Grill’s announcement came a few minutes after Amy Rowland, director of Patient Flow and Medical/Surgical Division, and chair of the DAISY Committee, presented the Gess family with a “Healer’s Touch” sculpture that was handmade in Zimbabwe. Rowland also presented them with a certificate that read: “The DAISY Foundation Nurse Leader Award is presented to Sharon Gess in deep appreciation of the compassionate leadership you provided, creating an environment of care that truly makes a difference in the lives of your staff, your patients and their families.”
Jane Fullum, vice president and chief nursing officer, reflected on her relationship with Gess. “One of the most enjoyable and rewarding things about my career has been the opportunity to watch young women and men who demonstrate the ability and desire to lead,” Fullum said. “Sharon Gess was one of those leaders, one I am thankful to have spent over 20 years with. Today, I want us to be able to celebrate Sharon for her accomplishments and the leadership imprint she left on the world.”
Fullum also read a letter that she wrote to Gess in 2011. In part, it read: ‘I want to thank you for the value you have brought to EAMC with your courage and commitment to take on new roles. You embrace any challenge and push yourself to constantly strive to be the best. I appreciate you for your willingness to mentor and coach others. You find value in people and take time to give them honest feedback. You take a stake personally in their future.’
In closing, Fullum stated that “Sharon became part of the fabric of this organization, someone people would seek out for advice and mentorship. She also became a steadfast friend and peer to a group of nurses and nursing leaders. She had a way of helping you hold up a mirror to see your blind spots and to encourage you to challenge yourself.”
Two of the people she challenged were Jeff Parton, manager of the ED, and Austin Bayles, manager of EMS.
“I learned a lot from her,” remembered Parton. “She was very dedicated, and she was passionate. Her love for emergency medicine created a bond between the ER and EMS that was not there before Sharon came in. She was the glue that kind of bonded us together and made us one team. Sharon left a true legacy in the ER that will live on for generations to come.”
Bayles pointed to the leadership style held by Gess. “When I think of Sharon, the word ‘leader’ automatically comes to mind,” said Bayles. “Sharon was truly a servant leader. She would stand beside her people—it didn’t matter if she needed to clean a bed, or start an IV or needed to run a code—she was going to be there and stay there until the job was complete.”
Bayles also spoke of Gess’ positive attitude. “If you ever received an email from Sharon, you know that she had that quote at the bottom that said ‘When I look around and think things over, all of my good days outweigh the bad. Thank you, Lord, I won’t complain.’ We have this posted in our EMS station with the hashtag ‘Think Like Sharon,’ and I truly believe that if you think like Sharon, you will strive to do the best you can in everything you do.”
Following these presentations, Sharon’s mother, Barbara Gess, expressed her appreciation to the hospital and then to a former EAMC nurse manager. “Ms. Becky (Powell) is not here today, but I want y’all to know she played a very important role with Sharon. And I want y’all to thank Ms. Becky for me.” Fullum explained that Powell was Sharon’s mentor. “Becky came to her office years ago when there was an open house supervisor position and said ‘I have this young lady I want you to meet. She’s on the 4th floor and needs to be our next house supervisor.’”
Sharon Gess only child, Mel, concluded the ceremony with her appreciation. “My mom’s greatest impact, especially at EAMC, was her caring spirit and her love of people. As a nurse, as a mom, as a supervisor, she just cared for everyone.” Mel Gess said that the DAISY Award was “such an honor” for her mom, and said it was very fitting that the theme for Emergency Nurses Week (October 11-17) this year was “Heart of Gold” as that described her mom so well.
Regarding the new Sharon Gess Nursing Scholarship, Mel Gess said the announcement had her on the brink of tears. “My mom never needed a pat on the back, but having this scholarship really carries on her legacy. It’s especially meaningful since it is intended for African American females. I know my mom is looking down and that this scholarship means as much to her as it does to my family and me.”
About the DAISY Award
Over 135,000 nurses have received The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses in 4,500+ health care facilities and schools of nursing internationally. Examples of criteria for The DAISY Nurse Leader include:
• Role model for compassion and exemplary practice
• Perceived as extraordinary where attributes of trust, mutual respect, continued professional development and ethical behavior are modeled and supported
• Motivates staff with a shared vision and enthusiasm to achieve better outcomes for themselves and their patients
• A mentor to staff and accessible, available and responsive to the needs of others, encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving for individuals within the context of a team
• Promotes and enhances the image of nursing within the organization, the community and the profession
For more information, visit www.daisyfoundation.org.
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