Paula Bake, BSN, RN at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls
Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS)-Eastern Wisconsin Division is pleased to announce Paula Bake, BSN, RN, who works in the Emergency Department at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls, as the 2017 Nurse of the Year.
HSHS-Eastern Wisconsin Division hospitals include: HSHS St. Vincent Hospital and HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Medical Center in Green Bay; HSHS St. Nicholas Hospital in Sheboygan; and HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in Oconto Falls. Each year, one nurse is chosen from within the Division as Nurse of the Year. Nurses nominate a nursing colleague from their unit, and those nominations are then reviewed by nursing leadership and HSHS-Eastern Wisconsin Division’s Professional Nurse Practice Council.
“Paula was chosen as the 2017 Nurse of the Year for the exceptional passion, quality and excellence she delivers in her nursing practice,” said Paula Hafeman, Chief Nursing Executive for HSHS-Eastern Wisconsin Division. “She goes above and beyond in demonstrating our organization’s core values of respect, care, competence and joy in her interactions with patients and their families.”
Paula Bake’s time with HSHS-Eastern Wisconsin Division began in 2000 working in the cardiac care unit at HSHS St. Vincent Hospital. She began working at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital in 2006, known then as Community Memorial Hospital, and has been there since. “When working in a rural hospital, you get to know the patients in a more personal way, which helps to create a deeper level of respect for one another,” said Paula. “I love coming to work and serving this community.”
In addition to her nursing duties, Paula serves on various committees within HSHS-Eastern Wisconsin Division that aim to enhance patient care, safety and experience. She is also an active member of the Emergency Nursing Association, Regional Trauma Advisory Council and the State Trauma Advisory Council.
Paula is also significantly involved in community outreach on a professional and personal level. She offers monthly blood pressure screenings at her local parish; organizes clothing drives to replenish the St. Clare Closet at HSHS St. Clare Memorial Hospital for patients in need; serves as a medical volunteer at the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon; is Chair for the Oconto County Annual Community Health and Safety Fair; and, volunteers for the Feed My Starving Children organization.
The 2018 Nurse of the Year will be announced in early 2019.