Advocate Condell Medical Center nurse recognized for patient care and leadership
Isabel Baker of Lindenhurst, Ill., is an Advocate Condell Medical Center nurse specializing in wound healing and has been dedicated to patient care for more than 21 years. Because she embodies Advocate Health Care's core nursing values, Isabel was recognized along with 15 award-winning nurses as The 2018 Advocate Nurse. Last week Isabel and Advocate Condell nurses celebrated National Nurses Week with ceremonies, daily activities and community volunteer projects.
When asked why she chose wound care as a specialty, Isabel points to the positive outcomes generated through providing a holistic approach to wound healing. Determining the underlying cause of poor wound healing, while bringing pieces together to promote healing is very rewarding to her.
Isabel has been an integral member of the Magnet Champions Team supporting Advocate Condell's successful quest for Magnet recognition in 2017. Magnet recognition from the American Nurses Credentialing Center is the highest and most prestigious distinction a health care organization can receive for nursing excellence and high-quality patient care. Isabel actively involved fellow nurses in the Magnet process and was instrumental in assuring they understood the principles of becoming Magnet recognized.
Serving the community with time and talent is a passion Isabel shares especially for those who have physical disabilities. She volunteers with Adaptive Adventures, an organization providing outdoor sports opportunities to improve quality of life for people of all ages. During warmer weather, Isabel volunteers with Diveheart as an open water dive buddy for children and adults of all abilities. Isabel shares, "Serving others always fills my tank. I have been blessed with good health and time. That is what I give back wherever I can. Seeking volunteer opportunities as I travel is a great way to inspire myself, my children and others."
More than 400 nurses from Advocate Health Care's hospitals, home health care, support center, clinics and medical offices were nominated for this second annual award. Nominations were submitted by physicians and team members, to recognize Advocate nurses who empower, serve and thrive. These nominations were vetted and presented in blinded format to site-based review committees who scored each according to a metric that took into account each nominee's passion for patient care, commitment to service, problem-solving abilities and leadership aptitude.
The winners are nurses from a variety of specialties across the patient care continuum who represent diversity in their backgrounds and experiences; some are veteran nurses with more than 30 years of experience while others are relatively new to Advocate or to the nursing profession yet have already made an impact on their patients and colleagues.
Advocate Health Care is the largest employer of nurses in the state of Illinois, employing nearly 11,000 professional nurses across the system's nearly 400 sites of care, which include 12 acute-care hospitals. Nurses represent one-third of Advocate's workforce. For more information, visit www.theadvocatenurse.com.