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Leah Birch, nurse manager of pediatrics, WellSpan York Hospital, poses for her photo prior to being named a Nightingale of Pennsylvania Award winner. |
Statewide award caps a 41-year nursing career
Leah Birch, nurse manager of pediatrics, WellSpan York Hospital, has been a nurse for 41 years.
It’s been a career filled with successes and satisfaction. Birch, however, reached one of the high points of her career recently when she received the Nightingale of Pennsylvania Award in the Nursing Administration/Leader-Manager category.
“It was a humbling experience to be in a room with so many individuals who have accomplished so much and contributed significantly to nursing,” said Birch, who received the award on Oct. 24 at the Radisson-Penn Harris Hotel and Convention Center in Camp Hill.
Birch said she wouldn’t have been upset if she hadn’t won. Just being nominated and named a finalist was rewarding enough.
“Being recognized by your peers is most meaningful,” she added. “It was a fabulous night, and quite an honor. To win a statewide award is incredible.”
Birch stressed that her achievements have not occurred in a vacuum. She has been surrounded by “wonderful, compassionate and dedicated staff members.”
She also gave credit to WellSpan leadership for its encouragement and support of nursing.
“The organization is constantly challenging us to make us better,” she said. “The consistent goal has been to deliver better patient care. And, it’s been very rewarding to see our patient care improve.”
Birch credited Valerie Hardy-Sprenkle, the former vice president, acute care nursing practice, WellSpan, for her mentoring and role modeling for nursing leaders.
“I’m fortunate that I get to do what I do every day,” said Birch, who knew she wanted to be a nurse in middle school. “I have never wanted to do anything but pediatric nursing. It’s not a job for me. It’s something that feeds my soul.”
Birch is the latest in a long line of Nightingale of Pennsylvania award winners from WellSpan.
This marks the fifth consecutive year a WellSpan staff member has won a Nightingale Award.
Past Nightingale Award winners from WellSpan include: Kris O’Shea and Claudia Shermeyer (2013); Connie Gutshall (2012); Bonita Trapnell and Jodi Arnold (2011); Astrid Davis (2010); Linda Pugh (2008); Cherylyn Strickhouser and Rhada Hartmann (2005); Joann Smith (2004); Dianne Moore (2003); Diane McElwain (2002); Henry Blymire and Nicole Grim (2000); Connie Sixta (1997) and Barb Buchko (1995).