Abby Kirchner, unit secretary for the 2C surgical intensive care unit, is the Springfield Memorial Hospital Colleague of the Month for July.
Besides knowing every aspect of her job, Kirchner is devoted to the colleagues and patients on her unit. One example was when she came in on her day off to show kindness to a grieving family whose loved one would be taken off life support later that weekend. She collected fingerprints and handprints of the patient and transformed those images into keepsakes for the family. When she learned the family hadn’t left the patient’s bedside, she purchased pizza for them.
“This was hardly the first time Abby has used her time and talents to help grieving families, and she has even traveled to other units to provide the same loving service,” wrote her nominator. “In happier times, Abby is also responsible for decorating our unit with seasonal and personalized decorations that celebrate every member of our team. She is a valuable resource to every one of us in one way or another.”
Kirchner has worked for Springfield Memorial Hospital since 2008.