Sterling Regional MedCenter Nurse Named Colorado Health Care Star

American Sentinel University and the Colorado Hospital Association named Sarah Ross, RN, BSN, a case manager at Sterling Regional MedCenter, as a Colorado Health Care Star Award winner. This award recognizes Ross as an exceptional health care professional.

Colorado Health Care Stars is a statewide health care professional award recognition program sponsored by American Sentinel University and the Colorado Hospital Association. The program was launched in February 2015 to acknowledge industry professionals in Colorado who exceed expectations in the delivery of health care.

Ross plays an essential role at Sterling Regional MedCenter as a case manager where she improves patient outcomes, reduces readmissions and weighs the necessity of medical treatment for effective care.

She often goes above and beyond her job description in her role. Her hard work and focus is unmatched and often recognized by her patients and co-workers.

Recently Ross aided a patient with a terminal illness who fell sick while in transit traveling for her last visit with friends and family members. After the patient’s admission to the hospital, Ross focused on locating family members and notifying them of the patient’s status and coordinated efforts to help the patient continue her travels once her health improved.

“Sarah’s laser focus and coordination with providers, resources, and care partners made it possible to turn what would have been a potential long-term stay into a short-term stay so the patient could continue with her travels,” says Wade Tyrrell, RN, MSN, Chief Nursing Officer at Sterling Regional MedCenter. “Sarah coordinated travel arrangements that would have the least financial impact on the patient. This included transportation to the Denver airport, ensuring the patient had clothing and toiletries since she was separated from her luggage, and Sarah helped her keep in touch with her family.”

Tyrrell says the most amazing aspect to Ross’ actions was that she helped this patient and was so humble and without pomp and circumstance.

“Sarah’s behavior is truly nursing from the heart,” says Tyrrell. “We’re so proud of Sarah; she’s our health care star and is quite deserving of this recognition.”

“Case managers, like Sarah Ross, are vitally important in today’s health care environment where there are constant demands to improvements in quality, safety, and the patient’s experience with care,” says Chris Wolfe, Vice President of Partner Relations and Program Strategy at American Sentinel University. “Sarah embodies what is great about health care with her selfless attitude in the delivery of patient care. It’s these standards that will help health care prosper and survive. We’re honored to recognize Sarah as a health care star.”

Nominate the Next Colorado Health Care Stars Winner
Nominate an exceptional clinical professional. Complete the nomination submission form at https://www.chacareercenter.com/Employers/Employer-Items/Colorado-Healthcare-Heroes.aspx

Each month the Colorado Hospital Association draws from the pool of nominees and chooses an individual that will be featured the following month on the Colorado Hospital Association Career Center website, receive a $100 Visa gift card courtesy of American Sentinel University and be entered into a drawing at the end of the year for a monetary scholarship toward an accredited health care certificate or degree at American Sentinel University.

Learn more about American Sentinel University’s online degree programs at https://www.americansentinel.edu/nursing or call 866.922.5690.

About the Colorado Hospital Association

The Colorado Hospital Association represents 100 member hospitals and health systems throughout Colorado. The Colorado Hospital Association partners with its members to work towards health reform and performance improvement, and provides advocacy and representation at the state and federal level. Colorado hospitals and health systems are committed to providing coverage and access to safe, high-quality and affordable health care. In addition, Colorado hospitals have a tremendous impact on the state’s economic stability and growth, contributing to nearly every community across the state with 72,000 employees statewide.

About American Sentinel University

American Sentinel University delivers accredited online degree programs in nursing (BSN, MSN, and DNP) and healthcare management (MBA Healthcare, M.S. Information Systems Management, and M.S. Business Intelligence and Analytics). Its affordable, flexible bachelor’s and master’s nursing degree programs are accredited by the Commission for the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), of One Dupont Circle, NW Suite 530, Washington, D.C., 20036. The DNP program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) of 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Ga., 30326. The University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, DEAC, 1101 17th Street NW, Suite 808, Washington, D.C. 20036, (202) 234-5100, www.deac.org

In June 2016, the Higher Education Commission Board of Trustees voted to grant American Sentinel University the status of candidate for accreditation. Institutions seeking accreditation by HLC are required to complete a period of candidacy before being evaluated for full accreditation. To earn and maintain candidacy, American Sentinel must fully meet the Commission’s Eligibility Requirements and Assumed Practices and demonstrate the capacity to meet all the Criteria for Accreditation within the candidacy period.

Please note, the MBA Healthcare Project-Based program is pending review for inclusion in the university’s programs covered by the Higher Learning Commission designation of candidate for accreditation.

For required student consumer information, please visit: www.americansentinel.edu/doe