Mercy Medical Center announces clinical excellence award winners during National Nurses Month

Friday, May 22, 2020

Tags: Mercy Medical Center , health care

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Mercy Medical Center is celebrating its nurses who deliver primary and preventive health care to enrich lives and communities in the Canton area. During National Nurses Month, Mercy announces its 2020 Clinical Excellence Award winners–Kristin Beabout, Sara Carter, Linda Shilts, Gina Stover and Rachel Wilson. As part of the annual celebration, Mercy honors nurses who have been selected for exceptional clinical skills, teaching abilities, communication skills, teamwork and professionalism.

“Year after year, nurses rank as the nation’s most trusted profession, according to an annual Gallup Poll,” said Barbara Yingling, RN, BSN, MAed, senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Mercy Medical Center. “This month, we want to recognize our 2020 Clinical Excellence Award winners and celebrate the work all our nurses do every day to improve the health of our communities,” she adds.

MERCY MEDICAL CENTER’S 2020 CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNERS

Kristin Beabout, RN
Surgical Services

Kristin Beabout of Massillon has made a positive impression on patients, doctors, co-workers and students.

“Kristin connects quickly with people and has excellent communication skills,” said Angela Eggleston, MSN, RN, CNOR, RNFA, administrative director of Surgical Services at Mercy Medical Center. “Whether she is guiding an experienced team or talking to a new nurse, she is always calm, patient and willing to share her knowledge. She has positively affected multiple staff members and is considered one of the top role models in surgery.”

Kristin graduated from Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences in 2011. She is currently pursuing her BSN. As a member of the vascular team, Kristin helps care for many dialysis patients.

“Nursing has taught me so much about myself over the last eight years,” Kristin said. “We become nurses to impact the lives of other, but then realize the impact they have on us. The gratitude of our patients and their families keep me driven and passionate about my job.”

Sara Carter, RN
Mercy Pain Management

Sara Carter of Boliver has always enjoyed helping and taking care of others. After working as a nursing assistant in high school, Sara attended Stark State College to earn her associates degree, and in 2013, she graduated from Ohio University with her bachelor’s degree.

Sara has a caring disposition, effective communication skills, and the ability to stay calm in stressful situations, according to her co-workers. She has great bedside manners and is a very good listener.

“Sara is very organized and knowledgeable of practices and policies,” said Kathy Casler, RN, BSN, clinical manager of Mercy Pain Centers. “She demonstrates outstanding leadership skills and is ready and willing to assist all team members,” Kathy said.

“We all know times are difficult, new and constantly changing,” Sara said. “I am, more than ever, thankful that I am in a position to help people.”

Gina Stover, RN
Cardiovascular Surgical Care Unit (CVSCU)
Special Recognition as Mercy’s 2020 Cameo of Caring Recipient

Gina Stover, a Massillon resident, has been caring for and serving others since she was a child.

“I used to love volunteering at the Refuge of Hope and the local soup kitchen with my dad. I loved making new friends and learning their stories,” Gina said.

Gina attended Walsh University and, while a student, participated in two medical mission trips to Haiti before graduating with her BSN in 2015. Gina says nursing allows her to encompass three things she loves–caring for people, educating people, and getting to know new people.

“Gina makes a positive and lasting impression on everyone she meets,” said Allyson Kelly, RN, administrative director of The Heart Hospital at Mercy Medical Center. As Gina helps care for critically ill patients in Mercy’s Cardiovascular Surgical Care Unit, Allyson says she leads by example and is an excellent mentor for students and new nurses. “She listens first and then reacts, which is an important characteristic of a strong leader and teacher,” Allyson said.

As a Critical Care Clinical Instructor for Stark State, mentor and preceptor for new RNs, Gina says, “I love to tell my students to never stop learning as it is so important in healthcare where things are always changing.” She notes that this is very evident today. “Although this pandemic is having a large impact on every person and family, I have seen the best in people as the community works together to social distance and come together for local hospitals and healthcare workers to ensure we have plenty of food and supplies. I am grateful to serve such a great community.”

Linda Shilts, RN
Wound and Hyperbaric Center

Linda Shilts of Mineral City was in the third grade when she attended an open house at the Massillon School of Nursing. During the visit, Linda says they wrapped her finger, and she was hooked; she wanted to be a nurse. After high school, Linda attended Kent State University–Tuscarawas and graduated with an associate degree in 2014. She has received certification in Wound Care and Ostomy Care and is trained in hyperbaric medicine.

Linda was instrumental in starting the Ostomy Support Group at Mercy Medical Center. “Linda is an advocate for her patients and helps them connect with the resources and networks they need,” said Jamie Carbone, MSN, RN, director of the Wound and Hyperbaric Center at Mercy Medical Center. “She is very compassionate and strives to provide her patients the best care and education to assist them in their healing.“

Although no two cases are alike, Linda says every patient is special. “I am blessed to work at Mercy Medical Center. Our administration and supervisors truly care and it shows. I work with the best group of nurses and staff. We are not only coworkers, we are friends.”

Rachel Wilson, RN
Intensive Care Unit

Rachel Wilson of Canton received her BA in Philosophy from John Carroll University and a Masters in Bioethics from Case Western Reserve University before pursuing nursing. Rachel says she always knew she wanted a career where she could help people, and during her clinicals for bioethics, she saw that nursing was a hands-on way to do just that. In 2010, she graduated with her BSN from Walsh University.

“Rachel takes nursing to heart and has a strong desire to provide the best care possible,” said Laura Miller, MSN, BSN, RN, CCRN, director of Mercy Intensive Care Unit (ICU). “She is very caring and compassionate, which shines through not only to her patients, but to their family members and loved ones, as well.”

Rachel is an advocate for her patients, according to her co-workers, which is especially important in critical care when patients often cannot speak for themselves. She says watching people recover and knowing that in some small way you had a part in that is very rewarding.

“We all come together and use our specialized knowledge and talents to make a difference in people’s lives,” Rachel said. “I work with some of the best around!”

Mercy Medical Center is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System.