| With recreation being such an important part of living in the Flathead Valley, it’s reassuring to know that world-class orthopedic care is close by if needed. North Valley Hospital is pleased to announce that three nurses Kathy Rea, RN, Dawn Denny, RN, and Susan Conners, RN have earned their Certifications as Orthopedic Nurse Coordinators. This nationally recognized certification through the Orthopedic Nursing Certification Board recognizes a commitment to lifelong learning and a high level of knowledge in orthopedic care that contributes to effective patient care and safety.
Through years of training and by passing the stringent exam, each nurse has demonstrated advanced knowledge in a variety of orthopedic areas including trauma, sports injuries, degenerative disease, neuromuscular, inflammatory disorders. As part of their specialized training, the Certified Orthopedic Nurse Coordinators learn how to best care for patients with orthopedic needs and help patients better understand the process of their medical treatment and what to expect after they leave the hospital.
“Training for this certification has provided me a deeper understanding of the patient experience,” said Ms. Denny. “I have a more holistic view of the orthopedic surgical experience so I can better respond to my patients needs and guide them through the process of healing.”
With 36 years of service and a Bachelors degree in Nursing, Kathy Rea is the longest-tenured employee at North Valley Hospital having served in a variety of capacities from the emergency room care to her current focus in orthopedics. Dawn Denny has been with the hospital since 2008 and is currently working on her Ph.D. in nursing from the University of North Dakota with a focus on pain management and education. Susan Conners has a Bachelors degree in Nursing and joined North Valley Hospital 25 years ago, having worked in a number of hospital departments during her tenure.
“The dedication and hard work that these three nurses have exhibited are testaments to North Valley’s focus on quality and safety in patient care,” said Jason Spring, CEO. “Their advanced training and experience in orthopedic nursing brings a whole new level of care to their patients. We are very proud of the achievements made by Kathy, Dawn and Susan and honored that they choose to serve patients at North Valley Hospital.”
|