Two Valley View Hospital Nurses Named Colorado Health Care Stars

American Sentinel University and the Colorado Hospital Association (CHA) named Niki Arnhold, RNC-OB, BSN, clinical supervisor and Pat Trauger, RN, at Valley View Hospital in Glenwood Springs as Colorado Health Care Star Award winners. This award recognizes Arnhold and Trauger as exceptional health care professionals.

Colorado Health Care Stars is a statewide health care professional award recognition program sponsored by American Sentinel University and CHA. The program was launched in February 2015 to acknowledge clinical professionals in Colorado who exceed expectations in the delivery of health care.

Arnhold has a great passion for nursing and evidence-based care and education. She’s currently the clinical supervisor of the Family Birthplace at Valley View and leads a project at the hospital on using nitrous oxide for laboring patients that has gone hospital-wide.

“Niki has been an incredible mentor and leader for the young night nurses when she served as the lead night facilitator for five years, and she’s not afraid to tackle big projects that have made the Family Birth Place a better place to work,” says Michele Zywiec, Director, Family Birthplace at Valley View Hospital.

Zywiec says Arnhold initiated the Computerized Physician Order Entry (CPOE) with providers and staff and taught classes to help the staff during its implementation for a smoother transition.

“Niki has high standards and uses ethical decision making and takes the time to learn the research and has the policy ready using evidence-based articles. She is not afraid to call other hospitals for help and to learn from others, and it’s this drive and determination that has helped her implement changes at Valley View that are making a positive difference every day in the lives of our patients,” says Zywiec.

Trauger, a 47-year nursing veteran has worked in every department at Valley View Hospital, and as a member of the Endoscopy Unit, she brings an invaluable knowledge to the department and works cohesively with other departments to ensure seamless transitions for patients.

“Pat is an active member of our community having coached Special Olympics and volunteered with the Rocky Mountain Eye Bank Organs Donation, and the St. Lucia Emergency Department; she’s a familiar face when patients enter our department, and they and their family members are immediately put at ease,” says Deb Willet, Director of Endoscopy at Valley View Hospital.

Willet says that Trauger is not only a star at Valley View Hospital but a star in the community.

“Pat is the face of Valley View, and she encompasses the very core of what our organization is about, people care, that’s Valley View,” adds Willet.  “But more importantly, Pat’s caring nature about the people in our community and organization has gone above and beyond and made a difference in the delivery of care with everyone she encounters.”

“Passionate nurses like Arnhold and Trauger represent what is great about nursing and are examples of why this is such a rewarding career,” says Chris Wolfe, Director of Program Strategy and Alliances at American Sentinel University.  “We are proud to recognize their commitment to nursing excellence in our community and the field of nursing and name them both 2017 Health Care Stars.”

Nominate The Next Colorado Health Care Stars Winner
Nominate an exceptional clinical professional. Complete the nomination submission form at https://www.chacareercenter.com/Employers/Employer-Items/Colorado-Healthcare-Heroes.aspx

Each month CHA draws from the pool of nominees and chooses an individual that will be featured the following month on the CHA Career Center website, receive a $100 Visa gift card courtesy of American Sentinel University and be entered into a drawing at the end of the year for a monetary scholarship toward an accredited health care certificate or degree at American Sentinel University.

Learn more about American Sentinel University’s online degree programs at https://www.americansentinel.edu/nursing or call 866.922.5690.

About the Colorado Hospital Association
The Colorado Hospital Association (CHA) represents 100 member hospitals and health systems throughout Colorado. CHA partners with its members to work towards health reform and performance improvement, and provides advocacy and representation at the state and federal level. Colorado hospitals and health systems are committed to providing coverage and access to safe, high-quality and affordable health care. In addition, Colorado hospitals have a tremendous impact on the state’s economic stability and growth, contributing to nearly every community across the state with 72,000 employees statewide.

About American Sentinel University

American Sentinel University delivers accredited online degree programs in nursing (BSN, MSN, and DNP) and healthcare management (MBA Healthcare, M.S. Information Systems Management, and M.S. Business Intelligence and Analytics). Its affordable, flexible bachelor’s and master’s nursing degree programs are accredited by the Commission for the Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), of One Dupont Circle, NW Suite 530, Washington, D.C., 20036. The DNP program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) of 3343 Peachtree Road NE, Suite 850, Atlanta, Ga., 30326. The University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission, DEAC, 1101 17th Street NW, Suite 808, Washington, D.C. 20036, (202) 234-5100, www.deac.org

In June 2016, the Higher Education Commission Board of Trustees voted to grant American Sentinel University the status of candidate for accreditation. Institutions seeking accreditation by HLC are required to complete a period of candidacy before being evaluated for full accreditation. To earn and maintain candidacy, American Sentinel must fully meet the Commission’s Eligibility Requirements and Assumed Practices and demonstrate the capacity to meet all the Criteria for Accreditation within the candidacy period.

Please note, the MBA Healthcare Project-Based program is pending review for inclusion in the university’s programs covered by the Higher Learning Commission designation of candidate for accreditation.

For required student consumer information, please visit: www.americansentinel.edu/doe