BOONE, Iowa—Dena Sytsma, Family Birth Center Director at Boone County, has received the Iowa Hospital Association’s Hospital Hero Award for demonstrating exceptional commitment to care and service. Dena is one of 11 employees of Iowa hospitals to receive the 2021 recognition.
Since 2007, the Hospital Heroes program has celebrated employees who have acted courageously in a moment’s crisis or who have selflessly served their hospitals and communities through their careers. Hospital Heroes are nominated by their peers—more than 40 nominations were submitted this year—and award recipients are selected by other state hospital associations. Hospital Heroes are recognized during the Iowa Hospital Association’s Annual Meeting in October.
Dena was nominated by several co-workers from Boone County Hospital. One of the individuals that nominated Dena says, “For as long as I have known Dena, she is a committed employee who is continuously striving for excellence in patient care and professional development of herself and her staff. Dena excels in communication with internal and external customers, building strong effective relationships, and providing resources and support to her team so they can provide outstanding patient care to those they serve. Dena recognizes the importance of evidence-based practice in the delivery of patient care and commits herself to keeping current on OB related protocols.
She accomplishes this through membership to professional organizations and networking with other hospitals and won’t hesitate to propose changes or establish new protocols when necessary.
Dena truly is passionate about nursing and providing the best care possible to her patients while also being an outstanding nurse leader. She represents the best traits of a fellow nurse and nurse leader in everything she does. I admire her integrity, dedication, professionalism, and most importantly how she leads by example to be a role model for others.”
The Iowa Hospital Association is a voluntary membership organization representing hospital and health system interests to business, government and consumer audiences. All of Iowa’s 118 community hospitals are association members.
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