Page 4 - Hawaii Island MidWeek

4 HAWAI‘I ISLAND MIDWEEK MAY 10, 2023
COVER STORY
Utilizing Compassion
Tiara Kali, RN
Wilcox Medical Center
Growing up on Kauaʻi, Tiara Kali spent a significant amount of time in hospi- tals because both her mother and sister
had chronic conditions. During these vulner- able moments, Kali recalls the kindness her family received from the nursing staff.
“Hospitals can be scary for kids, but the nurses made me feel so comfortable,” Kali shares. “I remember one nurse just holding my hand and telling me, ‘It’s OK.’ Feeling that compassion during those difficult times inspired me at a very young age to become a nurse.”
Kali officially began her nursing career 10 years ago at a long-term care facility, and it was nearly five years ago that she got her start at Wilcox Medical Center. Since then, one of her favorite aspects of the job has been build- ing strong relationships with patients.
“It’s the feeling of knowing that I was there to help someone through a painful and chal- lenging time and that, hopefully, I made it a bit easier for them,” says the resource nurse for the Wilcox’s Medical Surgical Unit. “Some patients are scared to accept health care in the first place, so helping them understand that they’re going to be OK is very rewarding. I’m a strong believer in compassion and humility, because once you have that, you can connect with any patient.”
While Kali found her calling to be a nurse at a young age, she also reveals that it’s always been her goal to work at Wilcox. To those hop- ing to join the nursing field she says, “Know your standard of care and never deviate from it. Always start your shift with a positive atti- tude and be prepared for anything. Also, don’t ever be afraid to ask questions.”
Kali notes that she doesn’t have one par- ticular hero in the medical field because she believes that everyone on board are all heroes, adding, “It takes a special person to say, ‘I’m going to serve my community today.’”
SEE PAGE 5
National Nurses Week may only be celebrated once a year,
but the dedication of these individuals goes far beyond a single week.
Story by Tasha Mero Photos by Anthony Consillio
If you’ve ever stayed in the hos- pital, undergone a procedure or visited a clinic, then you have been touched by the care of a nurse.
yond every day in so many ways,” says Amy Thomas, HPH’s system chief nurse executive. “They are not only known for their compas- sion and commitment to providing high-quality care, they are also leaders in seeking and instilling ex- cellence in our profession. Many of our nurses participate in continuous education opportunities to advance their degrees, volunteer to train and mentor new nurses, and obtain ad- ditional specialty national certifica- tions to ensure the highest levels of care for our community.”
fessional development tools in ad- dition to tuition reimbursements.
While their comforting presence can be overlooked, nurses play a key role in health care and, in turn, the greater community. Whether it’s advocating for patients or pro- moting healthy lifestyles, nurses are invaluable.
“Our nurses also belong to pro- fessional nursing organizations, publish research and move the sci- ence of nursing forward through evidence-based practice projects,” Thomas says. “We are so proud of our nursing workforce at HPH, and we truly thank them for their com- mitment to excellence.”
Of the more than 2,300 licensed registered nurses at Hawai‘i Pacif- ic Health, 1,728 provide direct care for patients at Kapi‘olani Medical Center for Women & Children, Pali Momi Medical Center, Straub Medical Center, Kaua‘i’s Wilcox Medical Center and clinics across the islands.
HPH also has invested in the next generation of nurses. To support as- piring nurses, HPH offers nursing academies and training programs for local students. It understands the importance of immersing nurs- ing students in specialty training because that leads to enhanced competence among new nurses.
To acknowledge the dedication of these hard workers and celebrate National Nurses Week (May 6-12), MidWeek is presenting the follow- ing profiles on five nurses from HPH’s various medical centers and clinics.
While some nurses have been with HPH for several months, oth- ers have been on board for more than 40 years. About 50% of HPH’s nurses have been providing patient care for more than a decade, and about 15% for more than 20 years.
But the health care organization doesn’t just provide opportunities to students — it takes care of its own nursing staff and offers pro-
Meet Tiara Kali of Wilcox Med- ical Center on Kauaʻi, Lori Conley of Kapiʻolani Medical Center for Women & Children, Alma Manci- ni of Pali Momi Medical Center, Charmaine Oshiro of Straub Med- ical Center, and Rochelle Bar- tolome-Steffens of Straub Medical Center – Kapolei Clinic & Urgent Care.
“Our nurses go above and be-