Mat-Su Regional Nurse Receives National Award for Nursing Excellence
12/9/2022
PALMER, AK – Kerston Krull, a registered nurse at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, has received a national 2022 Nursing Excellence Award.
A charge nurse in the medical-surgical unit of Mat-Su Regional, Krull is one of ten national winners selected.
Krull was recognized for her compassion, her ability to provide exceptional care to patients, her willingness to help others, and for being a preceptor and mentor to nurses and nursing students.
Krull was surprised with the recognition during morning shift change where she was presented with a crystal plaque and bouquet of flowers by hospital leadership and was joined by her husband and two of their four children.
“Kerston is wonderful nurse – the way she cares for our patients and the way she works with others is truly a reflection of who she is as a person,” said Shari Giese, Mat-Su Regional’s chief nursing officer. “She embodies the finest qualities of nursing: compassion, teamwork, innovation and a deep, heart-felt desire to serve others.”
“Her energy is contagious,” added Eric Moreno, director of the medical-surgical unit. “Her laugh is a laugh you can feel from across the room. Kerston’s a joy to work with and an encouragement to everyone around her.”
The Nursing Excellence Award was created to honor the critical role nurses have played in treating patients throughout the pandemic. The peer-nominated award program was open to qualifying RNs and LPNs working in a direct patient care position who consistently demonstrate characteristics synonymous with nursing excellence. These characteristics include outstanding care, compassion, service and innovation, and reflect the efforts of someone who is a demonstrated team player and/or mentor to others, is a leader in times of crises, and who regularly promotes health in the community.
Krull has been with Mat-Su Regional for more than eight years. She has been a charge nurse with the hospital for five years. During the COVID surge in 2021, Krull took on extra shifts to help care for the influx of patients. She also completed a 13-week Essentials of Critical Care Orientation (ECCO) course to help take care of the large number of critically ill patients the hospital was treating.
In addition to receiving the Nursing Excellence Award itself, Krull received a cash award and a copy of “Shining the Light on All the Right – Celebrating the Art of Nursing Around the World” by Mark and Bonnie Barnes, co-founders of The DAISY Foundation, an international movement created to recognize and express gratitude for extraordinary nursing.
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Kerston Krull, RN, BSN, shows off the 2022 Nursing Excellence Award crystal plaque she received. Medical-Surgical Director Eric Moreno, CNO Shari Giese and CEO Dave Wallace surprised Krull with the award during morning shift change at the hospital.
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