Among more than 71,000 employees, Iowa hospitals have countless examples of amazing people doing outstanding work.  Each year, IHA honors some of those employees as Iowa Hospital Heroes.  In the coming weeks, IHA will share the stories of our 2009 Iowa Hospital Heroes.  Below is our Hero for this week:

Nancy Edler
Registered Nurse
Iowa Lutheran Hospital, Des Moines

A registered nurse at Iowa Lutheran Hospital for 34 years, Nancy Edler loves nursing and her patients love her.  Nancy is well respected by co-workers, physicians, patients and families and is a resource for many.  She demonstrates great teamwork and has a “can-do” attitude. Very often staff comment that “the shift goes more smoothly because Nancy is working.” 

She is always willing to pitch in and help her peers, encouraging and mentoring new nurses as she enthusiastically shares her expertise with co-workers.  Nancy is known for helping peers with difficult IVs, lab draws or with patients who become critically ill. She is always available to help if a co-worker is suddenly overloaded, often helping with new admissions. 

For five years Nancy has volunteered in the community every Thursday at her church’s free health clinic with Dr. Nick Palmer. She does these things because she can, because she loves her role and because it is the right thing to do.

When Iowa Lutheran Hospital needed space to recover patients from the cathertization lab, Nancy volunteered to help initiate this new program on 3 East.  She was one of the first nurses to work in the new recovery area and she developed a friendly relationship with all of the staff on 3E. She would often volunteer to work extra shifts on 3 East when the floor was short-staffed.  

Nancy rarely takes time off. She has worked extra many times when the hospital was short staffed or because a co-worker needed the time off. Nancy does not shy away from work.  She will stretch and take that one last patient when everyone else is busy. 

This is the kind of hero Nancy Edler is. She is dedicated, compassionate and truly works toward the best outcome for every patient every time.