Jurnalith Yu, HN, recognized by her supervisors and peers for her exemplary performance, earned the Outstanding Professional Nurse Award in 2004. She completed college education in Bohol, Philippines in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing fulfilling her dream of becoming a nurse someday. She migrated to the United States in 1992 and worked as a Staff Nurse in a hospital in Chicago, Illinois. She joined Coler-Goldwater in 1994 as a staff nurse and was promoted as the Head Nurse of a highly complex medical unit at Goldwater campus.

As a clinician, Ms. Yu is a role model on her unit, consistently demonstrating sensitivity and compassion in meeting the unique needs of the patients of Coler-Goldwater and their families. She is a strong advocate of quality care for her patients accepting no less than the standard. She is one of the initiators of the new documentation process for nursing. Her excellent clinical skills together with consistent dedication and hard work contributed to the enhancement of the quality of life of the patients.

As a Nurse Manager, Ms.Yu demonstrates innovative leadership and management styles, which enhanced team work in her unit creating an environment of safety not only for the patients and their families but for the staff as well. Facilitating interdisciplinary plan of care can be tough at times especially in a specialty medical unit; however, Jurnalith Yu expertly facilitates interdisciplinary collaboration in her unit. She is aptly described by doctors, co-workers and other members of the team as “A Head Nurse easy-to-work with”.

As a person, Ms. Yu is kind-hearted and has a ready smile for everybody. Patients admire her positive outlook and being approachable whenever they have problems and concerns. She always has time for her patients and loves to be at the bedside more than anywhere in her unit. Oftentimes, she stays extra hours on her own attending to the needs of her patients. Friends regard Jurnalith Yu as “cool”.

Consistent with her goal of “To continue providing quality care to patients by meeting their medical, physiological, psychosocial and spiritual needs through collaborative efforts with members of the Interdisciplinary Team”, SheYu is active in Nursing Standards Committee, Performance Improvement in Ventilator Care and Prevention of Pressure Ulcer Committee. Her guiding philosophy is, “together, we can do it”. She plans to continue making a difference in the lives of her patients. Therefore, it is our great honor to nominate Jurnalith Yu to be the recipient of the HHC Nurse Distinction Award.