Donna ‘DK’ Lovick, clinical nurse coordinator, Cardiology
“A force to be reckoned with” is how one nomination described Donna “DK” Lovick. “DK helped create our transition medicine program in cardiology,” the nominator said, “creating a transition tool for patients. She also helped organize the first-ever transition medicine conference in cardiology.”
“I can tell you about a very specific event that made me want to become a nurse,” Lovick said.
“When I was in college, a good friend of mine was dropped on her head while western dancing. I rushed to her side and held her neck and kept her calm the entire way to the emergency room. I was…holding her face still and helping her breathe as we rolled into the ER on a stretcher. I remember so clearly the words the ER doc said (to me) as he placed her neck brace, ordered her tests and meds.” “‘You are an amazing friend and you probably changed the course of her life. You should go to nursing school.” The hospital team let Lovick follow the friend through her procedures in radiology and every step of the way, explaining what they were doing. That next semester she changed all her electives to align with nursing.
“A nurse since 1999, DK has consistently gone out of her way to help establish Texas Children’s Hospital’s newer congenital heart disease (CHD) transition program and has contributed to facets way beyond patient care,” wrote another nominator. “Despite not being her formal job description, she has helped with various research and dissemination efforts for patients and families with CHD.
“This nurse has also been involved in organizing and teaching in conferences to help parents of patients with CHD prepare for their teenagers’ move to adult care and goes out of her way to organize our presence at the annual heart walk for adults with congenital heart disease, as well as … creating connections with patient advocacy groups and CHD patients.”
Another coworker said Lovick also has educated providers when it was presented internationally in the UK at the Society of Adolescent Health and Medicine and in the US at the national American Academy of Pediatrics conference in 2019.
“She is respected by her colleagues, including both physicians and nurses, and is an inspiration to the many who look up to her leadership, creativity, and jovial attitude. She heads up volunteer recruitment for Camp Pump It Up, collaborates with outside organizations to recruit volunteers for various conferences within the heart center, and works tirelessly to make sure that these events go smoothly and are fully staffed.”
What does being selected to be one of this year’s Top 15 Nurses mean to this nurse?
“When I got the email that said I was one of this year’s Top 15 Nurses in greater Houston, I literally started to cry,” she said. “This is such a great honor and I am truly humbled to be recognized with this distinguished company.”
Jenny Tcharmtchi, Patient care manager, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
“In the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at Texas Children’s Hospital, we’ve diligently focused on improving our engagement with our patients and families. Not only involving them deeply in clinical rounds, family meetings, and with the support of our social work, patient/family advocacy, and spiritual care,” wrote a co-worker of Jenny Tcharmtchi.
But among those improvements, we’ve recognized the chasm between hospital life and normal life. Since the opening of Legacy Tower, we’ve markedly improved the environment for our patients’ families, allowing more room and privacy. Even with all these improvements, through medical and technological advancements, something was missing, and Jennifer “Jenny” Tcharmtchi found it. This year we hit 100 percent on our Press-Ganey patient satisfaction scores and we attribute this to Jenny, 100 percent.”
“I began my nursing career 21 years ago at Texas Children’s Hospital PICU,” Tcharmtchi said, “and have worked in the same unit where I started as a graduate nurse in 1999. I entered nursing because I knew it was a career path where I could get a job in any geographic location. This remains true and jobs in nursing are always in demand. Not to use the same old cliche, but I truly love taking care of people.”
She attended nursing school at The University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and is currently enrolled at The University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston to earn a Master’s in Nursing Administration and Leadership. “As a younger nurse in the PICU, I quickly started adding extra roles into my bedside nursing position. I did transport, was a charge nurse, rapid response nurse, and preceptor,” Tcharmtchi said. “During this time, I met some amazing nurses.”
Debora was a mentor (to me) and practiced in each of these roles as I began transitioning into them. She was a role model for me in leading a busy pediatric ICU, as well as being an outstanding bedside nurse and transport nurse. Debora treats all children as if they are her own and respects parents for their knowledge and expertise of their child. I learned from her the true meaning of possessing integrity. She taught me to do what’s right for patients rather than what’s easy. She has taught me not to give up when things get hard.”
Throughout her career, Tcharmtchi has shown her dedication to the pediatric ICU as both a staff nurse and currently in her role as patient care manager, a coworker said, adding that ‘if there is one person that truly lives out Texas Children’s core values fully, it is Jenny.”
“Since 2016 Jenny has led tirelessly a project to improve patient and family satisfaction. This has been a daunting task, but Jenny knew it could be done. She implemented a robust plan to distribute journals to each and every family. These journals would be the place where parents could organize their thoughts, questions and information about their children’s complex intensive care needs,” a nomination stated.
“Being in this year’s Top 15 Nurses is an honor that tops anything on my bucket list,” she said. “I am only as good as my partners, our leaders and the front-line nurses at the bedside.”