2024 Recipients

Amber Arons, Camilla Bantum, Omero Carrillo, Celerina Diestro, Kellie Galbraith, Jen Jeffries, Cindy Llewellyn, Megan Lyford, Jeremy Miller, Ellen Noble, Jessica Ryan and Melissa Struyf

Their Story of Excellence: Early in the morning of Sept. 11, tragedy struck a local family when their car collided head-on with a pickup, killing a man. His wife and their adult son survived the collision and were transported to Enloe Health Enloe Medical Center and admitted for treatment of major injuries.

Days of intensive care were needed to stabilize both patients. Once the son was stable, he was transferred to the Enloe Health Rehabilitation Center. His mother’s condition, however, was critical, requiring care in the Enloe Health Neuro-Trauma-Surgical ICU. Enloe Health Spiritual Support Volunteers and staff visited and prayed with both patients.

Two weeks after that tragic day, the family was finalizing plans for the funeral of their husband and father. Due to her condition, the mother would be unable to attend either the viewing of the body in Gridley, or the funeral Mass in Yuba City.

On Sept. 25, Melissa Struyf, Social Worker II, met with the patient’s son to discuss discharge care for his mother. He asked if it would be possible for the mortuary to bring his father’s body to the medical center so his mother could say goodbye. Megan Lyford, RN charge, and Jen Jeffries, Nurse Manager, were approached with the son’s request.

He wanted to know if this was even possible before he approached his mother with the idea. Both Megan and Jen were in support making this happen. Megan stated, “This is something that we need to do.”

A discussion with Cindy Llewellyn, Director of Critical Care Services & Emergency Department, ensured the NTSICU and social work teams could move forward with trying to arrange this. In just 24 hours, Melissa put into motion an unprecedented effort to bring healing and peace to a grief-stricken widow and family.

Thanks to the support of Amber Arons, Nurse Manager of Enloe Health South Wing Medical Surgical, and numerous departments, on Sept. 26, teams from the NTSICU, Patient Care Support, Case Management and the Enloe Health Spiritual Support Volunteer Program joined forces to make this happen. Planned by Melissa and facilitated by Jessica Ryan, Social Worker II, the tightly orchestrated visit was able to happen. Ellen Noble, RN charge in the NTSICU, and Jeremy Miller, RN charge of South Wing Medical Surgical, had coordinated the transport and reception of the patient to a double room on the south wing that had been blocked so that this could occur in private location that would provide the space needed.

At 4 p.m., a hearse from Holycross Funeral Home in Yuba City arrived at the medical center. Funeral Director David Holycross guided the casket into the room, where Deacon Dave Kraatz of Our Divine Savior Catholic Church and I waited for the patient. After the NTSICU team stabilized the patient for transport, Kellie Galbraith, RN, Celerina Diestro, CNA, Jennifer Jeffries, Nurse Manager, and Omero Carrillo, Patient Care Support Technician, carefully wheeled her into the room. Joining them was Spiritual Support Volunteer Camilla Bantum, who, being fluent in Spanish, had prayed with and developed a rapport with the family.

There was a palpable sense of the sacred in the room as the patient was positioned next to the open casket, holding her husband’s body. Their children gathered next to their mother’s bed, while the rest of us kept a respectful space to allow the family to grieve together.

After a few minutes of silence, Deacon Kraatz led those present in praying the rosary. Eventually, the patient asked softly if she could hold her husband’s hand. David, the funeral director, gently placed her husband’s hand in hers. It was the first time she had seen and touched him since that awful day. It was heartbreaking for all of us in the room to witness this woman say farewell to her husband. In the silence following the prayers, the nurses carefully monitored the patient’s condition, keeping a watchful eye on the bedside monitor. There was a profound sacredness of that time and space, to see a family grieve their loss, and recognize the extraordinary effort needed to make it happen.

Later, the funeral director commented that, in all his years, he had never experienced anything like this. I can concur and speak for all who were in that room and all who made that possible, that this was a truly holy and healing moment. I am grateful for the opportunity to play a small part, but am especially proud of the teamwork, dedication, determination and compassion shown that day by so many members of the Enloe Health family.

Submitted by Alan Rellaford, Spiritual Care Coordinator, Case Management

Kristin Loosle, Jessica Orozco and Nicole ShoBar

Their Story of Excellence: Recently, I was referred to a patient who was weeping uncontrollably, after hearing the news that her husband of 60 years had decided to go on hospice.

Her husband, in a room one floor below, was dying of cancer. She had seen him every day, except today. The night before, she had become seriously ill at home and was brought by ambulance to Enloe Medical Center and admitted. I asked her charge nurse, RN Jessica Orozco, if it would be possible to have this patient see her husband. Jessica called Kristin Loosle, the husband’s charge nurse in the Enloe Health Telemetry Care Unit, and coordinated the visit.

It was early evening, about to be shift change; the nursing staff was very busy. Nicole ShoBar, RN, the bedside nurse, did an amazing job with the patient — braiding her hair, providing a fresh hospital gown and helping her to feel presentable. Even though Nicole had other patients to attend to, she took the time to provide special care for the patient to look her best under difficult circumstances. Together, we escorted the patient to her husband’s room.

He was so surprised to see his wife. You could see the relief and joy on his face as we wheeled her to his bedside. They held hands. I said a quick prayer for them and left the room. I know that Nicole’s efforts helped to bring a small measure of peace to a very stressed couple.

Submitted by Alan Rellaford, Spiritual Care Coordinator, Case Management

Hanna Robinson

Her Story of Excellence: I work in Enloe Health Nutrition & Food Services. My mother was admitted to the Enloe Health Telemetry Care Unit with chest pain. After a full workup, the team determined it was not a heart attack but broken heart syndrome, also known as “takotsubo.”

While my mother was recovering in her room, I noticed her face looked odd. I let her nurse, Hanna Robinson, know and Hanna went straight into action. My father and I were extremely impressed with the way she handled the situation. She was quick, calm, collected. She brought in another nurse, and they did a stroke test.

As soon as I heard Hanna say, “call it,” I knew my mom was having a stroke. I was terrified in that moment. Hanna was a source of comfort. My dad and I had to sit and wait, not knowing what would happen next. Hanna continuously checked in with us. She kept us informed every step of the way. She was very knowledgeable and straightforward, yet empathetic. I work here at Enloe, yet I have not run into Hanna.

When I saw the request for Stories of Excellence, this experience came to my mind immediately. This Friday will be one year since my mom had her stroke, and I believe it is because of the quick action taken that day that she is doing so well. Thank you, Hanna!

Submitted by Lorna Such, Supervisor, Nutrition & Food Services

Shauna Price

Her Story of Excellence: This is a personal story. I had bariatric surgery in May 2024. From the beginning, I had lots of issues of thrush, throwing up, and was hospitalized three times with two IVs for hydration. During the second hospital stay in July, a feeding tube was put in.

After I had been sent home, while sleeping, I accidently pulled on the tube so much that I was scared. I called Shauna Price, Nurse Practitioner. With her on the phone, I pulled the entire feeding tube out. Not being a medical person, I will tell you that was hard to do. It still makes me squeamish just thinking about it.

In August I started throwing up again, not able to keep anything down. I was basically bedridden. A friend realized something was wrong, so she quickly called Shauna, who said that I needed to go to the Enloe Health Emergency Department immediately.

This was a Thursday. I kept telling everyone that I would go Saturday because it seemed like a good day to go. When Shauna was told, I wasn’t going to Emergency Department immediately, she called a case manager to do a home check. The case manager also determined I should go in.

For reasons I can’t explain, I was unwilling to leave. The case manager reported this to Shauna, who then categorized me as having a 5150 mental health crisis and sent police to my home to do a welfare check. They determined I needed to immediately go to the Emergency Department via ambulance because I was very close to kidney and liver failure.

I wouldn’t have made it to Saturday, as I had planned. If it weren’t for Shauna calling in a case manager, taking what my friends were saying seriously, and determining that I was in a mental health crisis ... I can honestly say I wouldn’t be here. Shauna saved my life. I’m now back to work, feeling fabulous, and it’s all to her credit. She is a great care provider along with being a great human.

Submitted by Angela Romero, Clinic Patient Coordinator, Obstetrics & Gynecology - Second Avenue

Miranda Mitchell and Krystal Molina

Their Story of Excellence:My husband, Ken Owen, a Physician Assistant at Enloe Medical Center, suffered an ischemic stroke on Nov. 27. He was rushed to the Emergency Department, where he received treatment we hoped would save his life.

Following the initial treatment, Ken was moved to the intensive care unit for 24 hours of monitoring. At first, the treatment appeared effective, and we were optimistic that he might be discharged the next day. Tragically, his condition worsened the following day. Over the next two days, we believe Ken suffered a second stroke and was pronounced brain-dead Nov. 30.

Despite this devastating loss, we were able to fulfill Ken’s final wish: to donate his organs. On Dec. 4, Ken was honored during an emotional honor walk as he was wheeled from the ICU to the operating room for organ retrieval. The halls were lined with friends, family and colleagues from the medical center, creating one of the most memorable honor walks in the hospital’s history.

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to several individuals who went above and beyond during this difficult time: Krystal Molina, the first Enloe Health Neuro-Trauma-Surgical ICU nurse on staff Nov. 28, whose expertise and compassionate care brought clarity and comfort. She explained the severity of Ken’s condition, guided us through what to expect and ensured he was as comfortable as possible when he was in pain.

Ken’s final nurse, Miranda Mitchell, ensured that his organs remained viable for donation. She tended to him with such dignity, even combing his hair and cutting a lock for me to keep. She was there for the honor walk and accompanied him on his journey to the operating room.

Ken would have been so proud of the extraordinary kindness shown by the nursing staff at the medical center. Their compassion helped me navigate an incredibly challenging time, and I will always be grateful for their unwavering support.

Submitted by Susan Owen, Community Member

Morgan Anderson, Kelsey Norton and Amy Scarbrough

Their Story of Excellence: This story will highlight the amazing efforts of multiple departments at Enloe Health, plus those of one kind man from our community, to put a smile on the face of a young woman and her mama.

A very special 22-year-old woman had been in the hospital for several weeks. The challenges of her disease were complex and resulted in her transfer to Intensive Care. Over these weeks, the smile diminished from her face, and the many hours of care weighed heavy on her mom. The patient and her mom are very dear to the Telemetry Care staff.

The staff had done multiple things to help support them, including provide coffee, cards, and visits, but they wanted to do something special and unique. Kelsey Norton and Morgan Anderson, RNs, took the idea to social media. They were on a quest to find the perfect visitor to put a smile back on the patient’s face. They contacted Eric Waterbury, a community member from Colusa. He was willing to drop everything and drive over 3 hours roundtrip to make this happen. With excitement, the Telemetry Care staff reached out to Amy Scarbrough, who was an RN charge in Intensive Care at the time, to plead their case and relay their detailed plan. Amy agreed to the plan, and before long, a baby pig was in the room, bringing smiles to everyone.

Thinking outside the box while ensuring patient safety is a gift that many on the Telemetry Care team have. Being open to a random idea that will help a patient is a characteristic a charge should possess. Being a humble, caring and selfless member of the community is something we all should strive for. Morgan, Kelsey, Amy, and Eric went above and beyond to make someone special smile.

Submitted by Krista Rooks, Nurse Manager, Telemetry Care

Carlos Almanza, Jasmin Gallardo and Liz Roberts

Their Story of Excellence: This story will demonstrate how some creativity and compassion can help a disoriented patient receive the best care possible. Telemetry Care had a very distraught and disoriented elderly patient. She was confused and crying out about her “missing baby.”

She was inconsolable and was not participating in her care. Liz Roberts and Jasmin Gallardo, CNAs in Telemetry Care, took matters into their own hands. Having been caregivers for this confused patient for a long time, they knew they needed to find a way to distract her and calm her down so she could receive care. This is where their creative and compassionate thinking came into place.

Using some linens, a sock and an image printed from the computer, they constructed a little baby with a hat, wrapped in a blanket. They brought this baby to the patient. She was immediately relieved. She named the baby Joshua and began holding and rocking the baby. She was finally calm. Shortly after calming her down, Carlos Almanza, M.D., the patient’s provider, arrived on the unit.

Liz and Jasmin made him aware of the situation. They explained the patient’s love for this pretend baby and how having this baby made her calm and cooperative. When he entered the room, Dr. Almanza acknowledged “Joshy Poo” and made sure to ask how her baby was before assessing her. These three caregivers set this patient up for a successful hospitalization. The staff continued to ensure the baby was with the patient and that she was able to remain calm and receive care. Thinking outside the box while being creative and making pretend babies may not seem like part of acute care medicine, but ensuring your patients are comforted and cared for is. Liz, Jasmin and Dr. Almanza are great examples of providing creative, compassionate care to our patients.

Submitted by Krista Rooks, Nurse Manager, Telemetry Care

Benjamin Isakson, Rudy Meier, Katrina Monck and Amy Yurus

Their Story of Excellence: On Jan. 8, 2024, a car pulled into the driveway of the Enloe Health Emergency Department. The driver, a woman in her early 20s, ran into the lobby, yelling that her little sister needed help.

Rudy Meier, Security Officer II, stepped out to assist and called another officer to get a wheelchair. At the vehicle, the older sister disclosed that they had rented a hotel and were partying with some guys and doing drugs, which had led them to the current situation. When Rudy got to the vehicle, he quickly changed the call to getting a gurney after seeing the 12-year-old girl, unresponsive in the back seat.

Katrina Monck, RN, joined the scene and was able to feel a pulse. Rudy and the other officer grabbed the gurney and brought it from the Emergency Department lobby to the vehicle, as Benjamin Isakson, M.D., called out that he needed Narcan. Rudy immediately went to the lobby desk, grabbed the kit he had placed at the security podium two weeks prior, opened the package, and placed the Narcan in Dr. Isakson’s hand, confirming the type and dosage.

After the Narcan had been administered in the hospital driveway, the medical team transported the 12-year-old girl to a room, where staff worked diligently to save her life. Amy Yurus, RN, still at the vehicle, discovered that the passenger in the front seat was also unconscious and called for the gurney again. The passenger was one of the guys the girls had been doing drugs with. He was also given Narcan and transported to a room, where his life was saved as well. While I have no doubt our skillful, knowledgeable medical team would have achieved the same results without the expedited Narcan, I give a great amount of credit to Rudy for advocating to have the Narcan readily available. This event started the process of the formal education and carrying of Narcan by the entire security staff at Enloe. Thank you, Rudy, for your insight and responsiveness.

Submitted by James Geary, Lead Security Officer, Education

Kelly Galli

Her Story of Excellence: Kelly Galli, NP, is the sole provider at the Optimization Clinic, which takes place once a week at Enloe Health Joint Replacement. The clinic exists to help patients who need elective surgeries but have medical conditions that put them at greater risk of complications. This can include tobacco use, diabetes that’s not sufficiently controlled or a body mass index (BMI) that’s not safe for surgery.

Local surgeons send patients to Kelly with goals they must meet before surgery can proceed. All three of these challenges require people to modify their behavior in a way that is known to be difficult. When this clinic was first created, there was skepticism about how often these patients would succeed. Statistically, individual attempts to make behavioral changes like these have a low probability of success.

For tobacco, each attempt to quit has a chance of success less than a 12%. Weight loss data shows that only about 5% of people who try to lose weight will succeed. That’s where Kelly comes in. She began working at the Optimization Clinic after her predecessor had to leave for medical reasons. Kelly quickly took over the operations of the Optimization Clinic with minimal support and training. She has an undergraduate degree in psychology and embraced motivational interviewing and behavioral coaching to help these patients reach their goals and receive their needed surgeries. The success of Kelly and the Optimization Clinic has surpassed all expectations.

In 2023, Kelly assisted 83 patients, 45 of whom went on to “graduate” and qualify for surgery. That is a success rate of 54%. Of those who graduated in 2023, 39 have already had their surgeries. Of those who graduated, 28 lost enough weight to meet their surgeon’s pre-surgical criteria. Twelve quit using nicotine, and six got their diabetes under sufficient control to move forward. The success of the Optimization Clinic rests firmly on Kelly. Without her dedication, many in our community would continue to suffer, and many surgeons would have to deny a suffering patient much needed surgery.

Those who try, but do not successfully graduate from the clinic, are armed with skills and knowledge to improve their health. Perhaps they will return to the Optimization Clinic for another attempt. Kelly’s door is open to them. She possesses the knowledge, compassion and empathy needed to succeed in providing a service that few clinicians can. For these reasons, I believe that Kelly deserves recognition and is a true story of excellence.

Submitted by Andy Miller, M.D., Community Health

Steve Nelson

His Story of Excellence: Steve Nelson, Cardiac Sonographer, is an exceptional employee with a heart of gold for all patients. He has worked in his profession for a long time and has maintained a rich appreciation for his job and where he works. Enloe Health Cardiology Services would not be the same without him. He has a rich history with echocardiography and is happy to help with any questions someone has.

The passion he holds for his field comes out best when he educates others. Today, I was walking into the very busy cardiology clinic and saw Steve assisting a patient into her granddaughter’s car. This patient was ambulating with a walker and needed some extra help. Steve walked the patient carefully down the front incline, opened the door for her and was simultaneously helping her feel at ease.

This patient had had a difficult couple of weeks due to ongoing health issues. Steve made her feel like a queen for her entire ECHO visit and literally all the way up to the moment she left Enloe’s property. You could tell the patient was very appreciative of his extra care and the respect he showed toward her. It is people like Steve who help make Enloe’s name shine throughout the community.

When I walked back into the clinic with Steve, I commented on his very nice gesture toward that patient. He immediately responded saying that, one day, we will be there and that we would want that same amount of care and consideration demonstrated for us or a loved one. It filled me with joy knowing that Steve is always fostering an environment of appreciation and respect toward patients and staff.

Our ECHO techs are very busy, and he is one of the busiest. He has frequently stayed late to accommodate a patient who needs an ECHO done, either immediately or because they are from out of town and it is a hardship for them to return. We are beyond blessed to work with Steve, and Enloe is lucky to have such a fantastically skilled ECHO tech on their team.

Submitted by June Zeller, Lead Structural Heart Program, Cardiology Services

Ascension “Chon” Mojica, Alejandro “Alex” Mojica and Danny Munguia

Their Story of Excellence: The work of hospice care is a special calling. The interdisciplinary approach navigates a fine line between physical and emotional comfort care. Like in many other specialties, our clinicians often thoughtfully think outside the box when it comes to providing holistic consideration to the mental, physical and spiritual needs of an individual’s comfort-focused care.

Recently, one of our hospice nurses had a thoughtful idea for a patient that our team has had the ongoing privilege of caring for. This nurse, patient and family had built a good-humored rapport during the patient’s end-of-life journey. At a recent home visit, the patient wasn’t having a particularly perky day, and his wife suggested considering one of his beloved hobbies as a biker. His life of motorcycle riding meant he wore an array of leather clothing and jackets often, and his wife thought it would be fun to have a “leather jacket day” and dress up to help him feel a connection to something he loved so much.

The patient dismissed the idea that day — but his nurse, Ascension “Chon” Mojica, didn’t. Chon squirrelled that little idea away for his next home visit. Chon has a twin brother who also happens to be a nurse, and — if you can believe it — also happens to work alongside his brother in Enloe Health Hospice! Talk about twinning!

Because of this, they end up working with the same patients from time to time. So, Chon, knowing his brother Alejandro “Alex” Mojica has also worked with this patient, alerted him about his “leather jacket day” idea and called up the patient’s social worker, Danny Munguia, Social Worker MSW, and asked them both if they would like to join him in surprising his patient by coming to a visit all dressed up in their leathers. They were immediately on board with this plan. When they arrived, it just so happened that the patient had a fellow biker friend visiting, and as luck would have it, the friend was wearing his leather jacket. It was fate!

The patient was elated by the benevolence of his hospice team — to have them thoughtfully honor something he loved so much. In all the leather jacket celebrating, the patient couldn’t help but go get his own leather jacket and wear it alongside the nurses, the social worker and his friend. It absolutely made his day!

Submitted by Lindsay Hannan, Lead Case Management Social Worker