Tuesday, Jun. 01, 2010

St. Mary’s names Employee of the Year

St. Mary’s Medical Center has named Jennifer McClaran, RN, BSN, its Employee of the Year.

McClaran started as a cashier in the business office of the medical center 16 years ago and continued working while going through nursing school.

She is now is the charge nurse in Interventional Radiology and coordinates patient care in the Endovascular Center.

“I was shocked,” said McClaran. “I like to work behind the scenes and not draw attention to myself. I like to give others the credit.”

But McClaran’s fellow associates say the honor is well deserved. They say she always goes the extra mile in caring for her patients and making improvements within the department. She gives back, mentoring new nurses and working on various committees within the medical center.

“I love my job and the people I work with,” McClaran said. “I love helping improve the quality of life for many of our patients. Our physicians are so dedicated and the procedures we do in Interventional Radiology really make a difference. Someone may come in for a procedure in so much pain and so debilitated that they need a wheelchair and yet, they’re able to walk out without assistance.”

McClaran says she loves learning and recently earned certifications as a Radiology Imaging Nurse and as a Sedation Registered Nurse.

She keeps busy outside the medical center as the Children’s Ministry Director for her church in Holden, and caring for her husband and twin daughters.

The Employee of the Year is selected from the previous year’s Employees of the Month. Associates are nominated by their peers and endorsed by their department directors.