Leslie Knight
June 2015
Leslie
Knight
,
BSN, RN
Ambulatory Surgery Unit
Maine Medical Center
Lewiston
,
ME
United States
I am writing to nominate Leslie Knight, BSN, RN, ASU for a DAISY Award. As I have been collecting data for our Magnet evidence for the 2016 submission, I was again reminded of Leslie's leadership of her peers and for the entire hospital as well as her patient advocacy that has clearly made a difference for the community. Her work to organize and implement a clothing drive and health fair at the Preble Street Teen Center and Shelter was above and beyond the work of the Magnet and Marketing Subcommittee for community service. I believe this is the reason she is so deserving of this award.
In 2010, Leslie joined the Magnet, Marketing & Communications Council where she became a very active member of the Community Outreach workgroup, participating in every event the workgroup endorsed. What sets Leslie apart is that she is always looking for additional opportunities where MMC Nurses can make a difference in addressing community needs and persevering though the system to make it happen.
In March 2013 Leslie approached the workgroup about working with the Preble Street Teen Center and Shelter here in Portland. She had just heard the stats that teen homelessness in the Portland area was on the rise and how vulnerable this population was. With the strong encouragement of the group, Leslie spent the next six months organizing the project.
Teens who utilize the shelter have had a tumultuous past therefore becoming a volunteer is very difficult. Preble Street screens each team very carefully and the shelter is highly selective on groups that can volunteer at the center and shelter. Leslie began making contacts at the shelter and persevered to find the correct team to speak with. She spoke with 8 different people to gain their trust and support. Meeting with the Teen Center staff on several occasions, Leslie and her team shared our commitment to our community and that MMC nurses would be the perfect team to conduct a health fair for the teens at the shelter. Because of Leslie's work on previous MMC volunteer activities, and that Leslie was known to many of the staff members, increased the bond and trust between her and the shelter. After much discussion, Leslie was given the green light to plan an event for the 2013 holiday season.
Leslie and her team of volunteers felt since this community service was so near the holiday how could MMC bring more holiday cheer to the homeless teens. Working closely with the director of the Teen Center, they determined what items could be collected by MMC staff. Leslie and the Community Outreach workgroup began spreading the word throughout MMC about the teen shelter and the collection drive. She then collected the items from the units, brought them home and began sorting through and organizing the piles and piles of items. As one nurse described who helped Leslie, her house was covered with items that had been donated. Eight car loads of new and used clothing were collected, enough to give 50 to 100 homeless teens Christmas care packages.
Leslie did not stop there. The drive continued for six months after the Christmas event. Leslie continued to go from unit to unit to collect items that had been donated, sorted through them, and delivered them to the shelter. This was above and beyond the MMC community event.
She also coordinated the health fair that was held that December 2013. Working with shelter leadership, she helped set the course for the event. Leslie and her peers conducted a well-attended health fair covering topics of frost bite, safe sex and personal hygiene - all issues for homeless teens. 30 Teens participated in the event. Leslie also donated a bike that was raffled making this a big hit for the teens.
What people do not know is that her work on this project inspired a group of friends to donate $1,100 as a Christmas Gift to the shelter. Her commitment to the community went beyond the walls of the hospital and is truly amazing.
With the success of this program, MMC was invited back to the Teen Center where we have done subsequent health fairs and collection drives. Being given this opportunity to work with the shelter is recognition of Leslie's outstanding leadership and commitment to this vulnerable population.
This is just one of the examples of the work Leslie has done to service the community and her peers and I believe this leadership and caring is worthy of the DAISY Award.
In 2010, Leslie joined the Magnet, Marketing & Communications Council where she became a very active member of the Community Outreach workgroup, participating in every event the workgroup endorsed. What sets Leslie apart is that she is always looking for additional opportunities where MMC Nurses can make a difference in addressing community needs and persevering though the system to make it happen.
In March 2013 Leslie approached the workgroup about working with the Preble Street Teen Center and Shelter here in Portland. She had just heard the stats that teen homelessness in the Portland area was on the rise and how vulnerable this population was. With the strong encouragement of the group, Leslie spent the next six months organizing the project.
Teens who utilize the shelter have had a tumultuous past therefore becoming a volunteer is very difficult. Preble Street screens each team very carefully and the shelter is highly selective on groups that can volunteer at the center and shelter. Leslie began making contacts at the shelter and persevered to find the correct team to speak with. She spoke with 8 different people to gain their trust and support. Meeting with the Teen Center staff on several occasions, Leslie and her team shared our commitment to our community and that MMC nurses would be the perfect team to conduct a health fair for the teens at the shelter. Because of Leslie's work on previous MMC volunteer activities, and that Leslie was known to many of the staff members, increased the bond and trust between her and the shelter. After much discussion, Leslie was given the green light to plan an event for the 2013 holiday season.
Leslie and her team of volunteers felt since this community service was so near the holiday how could MMC bring more holiday cheer to the homeless teens. Working closely with the director of the Teen Center, they determined what items could be collected by MMC staff. Leslie and the Community Outreach workgroup began spreading the word throughout MMC about the teen shelter and the collection drive. She then collected the items from the units, brought them home and began sorting through and organizing the piles and piles of items. As one nurse described who helped Leslie, her house was covered with items that had been donated. Eight car loads of new and used clothing were collected, enough to give 50 to 100 homeless teens Christmas care packages.
Leslie did not stop there. The drive continued for six months after the Christmas event. Leslie continued to go from unit to unit to collect items that had been donated, sorted through them, and delivered them to the shelter. This was above and beyond the MMC community event.
She also coordinated the health fair that was held that December 2013. Working with shelter leadership, she helped set the course for the event. Leslie and her peers conducted a well-attended health fair covering topics of frost bite, safe sex and personal hygiene - all issues for homeless teens. 30 Teens participated in the event. Leslie also donated a bike that was raffled making this a big hit for the teens.
What people do not know is that her work on this project inspired a group of friends to donate $1,100 as a Christmas Gift to the shelter. Her commitment to the community went beyond the walls of the hospital and is truly amazing.
With the success of this program, MMC was invited back to the Teen Center where we have done subsequent health fairs and collection drives. Being given this opportunity to work with the shelter is recognition of Leslie's outstanding leadership and commitment to this vulnerable population.
This is just one of the examples of the work Leslie has done to service the community and her peers and I believe this leadership and caring is worthy of the DAISY Award.