(June 7, 2024) – The Kansas Hospital Association's KHA's Heart of Health Care Worker Award highlights hospital employees who have made a significant contribution to the betterment of their hospital. These individuals are nominated for this award because they routinely go above and beyond the call of duty.
Adam Galindo has been an integral member of the Newman Regional Health team since joining the hospital more than 10 years ago. He started as a bedside and ICU nurse and quickly moved to a supervisory role. He also became certified as a critical care nurse.
As a lifelong learner, Galindo furthered his career by obtaining his APRN. He was immediately recruited to the newly developed Hospitalist team and has been a core member ever since. Galindo leads by example and is always willing to take on new challenges. This includes acting as a mentor to new nurses. Galindo’s bedside experience is imperative to his qualities as an APRN and in fostering a strong learning environment. Newman Regional Health works closely with Emporia State University School of Nursing and this has resulted in a significant number of new nursing graduates being employed and benefiting from Galindo's mentorship and approachability.
Like many hospitals, NRH has experienced an increase in both the volume and severity of behavioral health patients. Galindo is the rounding provider for the majority of behavioral health patients. He has led the effort to improve care for this population through his exceptional ability to treat each person as unique with their own individual needs and circumstances. He has improved the team's ability to function within policy and regulations while ensuring that patients are treated as more than a diagnosis.
Galindo is always willing to take on new projects or tasks. He agreed to take on additional responsibility by managing the day-to-day care of the swing bed patients, including attending weekly family meetings. In this role, he has been instrumental in growing the swing bed volume and subsequently improving the community's access to high-quality skilled care close to home.
Galindo and other Heart of Health Care Worker Award nominees will be recognized during the KHA Awards Luncheon at the 2024 KHA Annual Convention on Sept. 5, 2024, at Sheraton Overland Park/Overland Park Convention Center, Overland Park.
--Shelby Stacy