Amanda Hutchison
Congratulations to Amanda Hutchison, staff nurse in the ER, for being named this year’s Faces of Care award winner. In June, the Greater Cleveland Nurses Association and Cleveland Magazine honored the area’s best nurses from sponsoring health systems and hospitals.
Amanda’s nomination form described her as a resource and a role model to both new nurses and seasoned nurses alike.
“Amanda recognizes opportunities for improvement and proposes solutions to address the issues,” said one of her nominators. “Her focus on safety in the department has led to changes in the unit. As a result, new trash bins were placed in BHU, and the nursing narrator was updated to add a second location for documenting abuse screenings.”
While Amanda provides exceptional care to all patients in the ER, her nominators said she shines brightest with the behavioral health patients.
“Families often speak to her ability to de-escalate situations which helps to create a calming atmosphere and allows people to feel heard,” they said. “She is respectful and understanding of the specific needs of this patient population.”
Amanda has worked at Akron Children’s since 2015; she started as a tech in the ER and transitioned into her nursing role several years ago.
“I chose pediatric emergency nursing because I get to work in a fast-paced environment, with the ability to navigate life-changing moments with patients and their families,” she said. “I’ve found that kids are truly resilient. Their positive attitudes shine bright, even in the darkest of moments.”
Amanda (center) attended the ceremony with her colleagues from Akron Children’s.
Amanda’s desire to pursue nursing came from her own experiences as a patient.
“When I was a young adult, I had to navigate some personal health concerns,” she said. “During that journey, I was incredibly blessed by the care, compassion, empathy and knowledge of my nurses. Those nurses inspired me to pursue nursing, with the hope that I could provide the same exceptional level of care to people struggling physically, emotionally or mentally.”
Recently, Amanda used PTO to volunteer on a medical missions trip in Yucatan, Mexico. While there, the team traveled to different villages, setting up mobile health clinics that provided medication and treatment for various health conditions including type 2 diabetes and hypertension – often seeing up to 80 patients daily. In addition to providing medical care, she could be found praying with families and offering encouragement – impacting their emotional and spiritual needs as well.
“Amanda embodies the art of nursing at the core of who she is,” said her nominators. “Working alongside her provides an opportunity for all who witness her compassionate care, to not only be a better nurse, but also a better person.”
“I am humbled to receive the Faces of Care award. I am truly blessed to work with an amazing team of health care providers,” said Amanda. “This award validates that the hard work we put in at the bedside doesn’t go unnoticed. I’m thankful to make a positive difference and will continue to strive towards nursing excellence.”
