April
Merrill’s changing role within INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center.
3-8-11
Most
of you are familiar with April’s work as part of the Glycemic Management
Services team. Glycemic Management Services (GMS) and the clinical nursing staff
have worked collaboratively over the past several years and the process for
glycemic management has matured substantially during that time. As a result of
this maturation this team no longer requires the efforts of two advance practice
nurses to maintain the service. Rise’ Kester will remain the GMS advance
practice nurse. Rise’s training as a family nurse practitioner makes her
uniquely qualified to consult on patients with glycemic management issues across
the lifespan.
April has agreed
to accept a role in leading evidence based practice implementation and quality
initiatives. These go hand in hand as we continue to move forward improving
patient quality. Top priorities for April include:
·
Pneumonia
Core Measures
·
Fall
Prevention
·
Pressure
Ulcer Prevention
·
Improved
Mobility of Patients throughout the hospital
April will also
work with staff to use LEAN methodology in eliminating waste and identifying
solutions. April will be working with the Council of Nursing Excellence and the
Unit Based Councils in addition to working with nursing and physician staff
throughout the hospital to achieve improved outcomes.
Please welcome
April to her new role
Saying Good Bye to our own
Linda Baird was an integral
part of OACNS.
Linda was a frequent board member and she
was supportive throughout the years giving her advice and wisdom.
Linda will be greatly missed.
Here is the obituary from the funeral home:
Linda
Joyce Baird
(August 26, 1947 - February 28, 2011)
Linda
Baird, 63, died February 28, 2011 at her home in Oklahoma after a valiant battle
with breast cancer. Linda Joyce Robertson was born on August 26, 1947 the first
born and only daughter of the late Donald Robert “Bob” Robertson and Marie
Robertson in Wichita, Kansas. She attended public schools in Wichita before
obtaining a Diploma from Wesley School of Nursing. She married Stephen Kent
Baird in July 1969. She taught at Wesley School of Nursing and then returned to
school at Bethany Nazarene College where she earned her Bachelor of Science in
Biology while teaching at Saint Anthony School of Nursing. As she raised
children, she maintained her pursuit of education, earning a Masters’ Degree in
Science in 1986. She graduated from the University of Oklahoma with Honors. She
taught Nursing at Southern Nazarene University, University of Central Oklahoma
and eventually at University of Oklahoma. After her children had completed their
educations, she earned a Post Masters Certificate and worked as Clinical Nurse
Specialist. Linda’s focus in all her parenting years was her four children and
10 grandchildren. Her interests included traveling and spending time with them.
She was musically gifted, playing piano and accordion and a talented seamstress,
sewing prom dresses and bridesmaid dresses for her daughters. Linda was also
known for creating and then giving beautiful floral arrangements to friends and
family as well as decorating for weddings. Linda was well known for living life
to the fullest and carrying out her dreams with no regrets. Linda is preceded in
death, by her father in 1979. She is survived by her husband, Stephen and four
children, Tamatha , Thomas, Tiffany and Timberly as well as their spouses and 10
grandchildren. She is also survived by her mother, Marie Robertson, Wichita
Kansas, brother John of Wichita, KS. Family visitation will be held from 4-7pm,
Wednesday, March 2, at Mercer-Adams Funeral Service. Funeral Services will be at
2pm, Thursday, March 3, at Trinity Church of the Nazarene.
