Shelena Chisolm named Nurse of the Year

 Several Atrium Health Floyd nurses were honored during National Nurses Week, held to recognize those who see nursing as more than just a profession and selflessly answer the call to compassionately care for others.

The annual celebration ends every year on May 12, Florence Nightingale’s birthday.

Shelena Chisolm, a teammate at Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center, was named Nurse of the Year.

Others recognized for nursing excellence include registered nurses Nikki Willis, Emergency Care Center; Will Kirkland, Inpatient Pre-op/Post-Anesthesia Care; Hope Couch, Pediatrics; Alfreda Mitchell, Floyd Behavioral Health; Katie Wingate, Inpatient Rehab and Rhiannon Nicholson, Medical/Surgical nursing.

Sheila Bennett, senior vice president and chief of patient services at Atrium Health Floyd, said she has personal reasons to thank Chisolm. The nurse cared for Bennett’s mother before she passed. Chisolm experienced her own loss and told her family member she would know angels were near when she saw butterflies.

“She told my mother ‘You’re my butterfly,’ so she gave me the imagery of butterflies that has comforted me the past two years since I lost my mother,” Bennett said. “I’m so grateful a nurse gave me this comfort.”

A teammate who nominated Chisolm for Nurse of the Year wrote “Shelena’s dedication to excellence in nursing is INSPIRING and keeps me energized and focused on the growth and development of our cardiac stepdown team.

Comments for the following nurses came from nomination forms:

Nikki Willis
“She is the most compassionate person and one of the smartest nurses I have ever met. It is such an inspiration to see such an amazing, beautiful and selfless family work together to help others! We are truly blessed to have them all!”

Will Kirkland
“Will Kirkland is definitely an earth angel who goes above and beyond every shift he works. Will was awarded a DAISY Award last May for his care …His smile and kind gestures during patient care puts his patients’ anxiety at ease and makes them feel comfortable and welcomed.”

Hope Couch
“Hope is a nurse who is true to her name. Whenever a child is admitted to the Pediatrics unit, she is there to greet them with a smile and give them a little hope. …..Several families have made positive comments about Hope’s gentle bedside manner, her attentiveness to detail, and her overall care of precious little children.”

Alfreda Mitchell
“She leads by example. She never asks anyone to do something she wouldn’t do. She is a great leader and sets a wonderful example for all staff members. Ms. Alfreda is amazing and takes pride in caring for the clients and the staff.”

Katie Wingate
“Katie has been willing to come in and work when the staffing need is critical, and our patients and teammates need her there. She has embraced the concept of leading by example on the floor by helping solve problems….We are grateful she shares her skills and her dedication with us at the Atrium Health Floyd Inpatient Rehab Unit.”

​Rhiannon Nicholson
“She is always an advocate for the patients. I have seen her pray with patients at their request. She is truly an unsung hero.”

Lacey Hobbs, RN, received the Nursing Excellence Award at Atrium Health Floyd Polk Medical Center.

Hobbs is the clinical nurse supervisor of the outpatient infusion clinic and the congestive heart failure clinic.

“She is dedicated to progress that will provide our patients with the health care they need and deserve, while also providing the staff in the department with an enjoyable and efficient workplace. Our patients genuinely love Lacey.”

Haven Patterson, RN, received the Nursing Excellence Award at Atrium Health Floyd Cherokee Medical Center. Patterson was praised for her efforts to go above and beyond the call of duty to visit patients. She was referred to as a strong leader who sets a good example for her teammates.