Evangelical Community Hospital Presents ORchid Award to Operating Room Nurse – Savannah Cassel, RN

Surgical Services at Evangelical Community Hospital recently presented its ORchid Award for outstanding performance.

The quarterly award is designed to recognize staff members who are vital to a successful operating room experience but are often not seen because what they do is done while the patient is sedated or asleep or takes place prior to or after surgery.

Savannah Cassel, RN, Operating Room (OR) Nurse, was presented the award by Shawna Heckman, MBA, BSN, RN, ONC, Director of Surgical Services.

Cassel was nominated by a co-worker who stated, “Savannah is friendly and welcoming to new staff. She is seen as going above and beyond to make sure that the learning atmosphere she creates allows staff to feel comfortable asking questions in any situation. She advocates for others and is always pushing people to be the best that they can be.”

The same co-worker related how that extra effort goes toward patient care as well. “Savannah provides the highest quality of care to all of her patients and is exceptional with communicating to OR staff and patients’ family members. She has a calming demeanor, is always kind, and constantly has a smile on her face.”

Cassel began working at Evangelical in the PRN Pool as an RN in November 2016 through February 2017. She rejoined Evangelical in July 2019 as a an OR Nurse. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cassel was redeployed to Acute Care and the Nursing Float Pool when surgeries were suspended returning to the operating room to serve patients as soon as surgeries were resumed.

The ORchid award is presented in front of the recipient’s nominator, the executive leadership team, and members of the surgical team with whom they work. Awardees receive an orchid that symbolizes the award (purple orchids represent dignity, respect, and admiration), a pin, and a food party for the team they work with. 

Employees receiving the award exhibit qualities and behaviors that represent the Hospital’s core values of quality, service, respect, compassion, integrity, creativity, professionalism, and cooperation.