Marcia Shepard Applause
Uniontown Hospital recently announced Marcia Shepard, RN, 1 West, has received a Cameos of Caring Award from the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, for excellence in her field.
Shepard, a med/surg nurse with a specialty in orthopedics, is a 44-year nursing veteran who said that she recognized at a young age that she was 鈥渃alled鈥� to be a nurse.
鈥淢y patients, and what they have taught me over 44 years, are by far the most satisfying part of not my 鈥榗areer鈥� in nursing, but my calling to be a nurse,鈥� said Shepard, a 1972 graduate of Somerset County College.
Betty Ann Rock, Uniontown Hospital executive director and chief nursing officer, said Shepard蘑菇视频 daily commitment to her patients and her willingness to do everything possible for them serves as a benchmark for her peers.
鈥淢arcia is dedicated and we are truly blessed to have her and other nurses like her choose to stay at bedside, providing exceptional and personal patient care,鈥� Rock said. 鈥淪he is an outstanding nurse and a caring, compassionate person and I am proud that she has been honored for work.鈥�
Shepard was part of a team that received a commendation for exceptional care in specialties related to wound and skin care in 1998. Her work has spanned a multitude of disciplines including, pediatrics, specialized pediatrics, neonatal intensive care, nursing home care and hospice care.
She said that while she remembers many of her patients over the decades, there have been a few that have still resonate today 鈥� including her first patient in neonatal care 鈥� a baby boy born weighing less than one pound.
Shepard said that she and her team worked with the infant and his family for more than four months, until he was permitted to go home with his parents. 鈥�(He) stayed with me every day of my life since letting me know that it doesn鈥檛 matter how you make your entrance into this world; life is worth fighting for. With enough fight, love, support and excellent nursing care from everyone, and by the grace of God, miracles do happen.鈥�
Shepard was honored in November along with other recipients of the award from across the region at the 18th annual Cameos of Caring Awards Gala at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.