SHELBY — If you see Emily Christopherson at OhioHealth Shelby Hospital, you’ll most likely see her with a smile on her face.
Whether it’s setting up a room for a patient, taking vital signs, or assisting a nurse, the Patient Support Assistant is always eager to help and brighten someone’s day.
“I think it’s one of the greatest things I’ve learned here is how to work one on one with somebody to make sure they’re feeling heard and what they need is met,” said Christopherson.
While Christopherson’s off to a great start, she’s got a lot more to learn. She’s only 18 and still in high school.
Christopherson works part-time at Shelby Hospital as a PSA through a program between Pioneer Career and Technology Center and OhioHealth. OhioHealth’s Work-Based Learning Program offers students hands-on experience and a paid position, while hopefully growing retention of healthcare workers.
“It’s been a great program, especially for a community hospital,” said Nurse Manager Shannon Thrush. “When you’re in that rural area, recruiting can be a challenge, so you’re really starting that pipeline early.
“It’s also building relationships early with someone to where we can actually grow them into whatever career path they want, which we’re hoping Emily is in nursing.”
Thrush is one of many associates at Shelby Hospital who’s fond of Christopherson, and so are the patients.
In fact, one family was so impressed with her, they nominated her for the Bee Award- an honor recognizing support staff for going above and beyond.
“That’s one of the things we’re super proud of her about,” said Thrush. “She was nominated, it basically goes into a pool and it’s voted on who gets the award and who doesn’t. We’re just really proud of her.”
Christopherson is now the first high school student working at Shelby Hospital to achieve the Bee Award and just the second across the entire OhioHealth system.
It’s a huge accomplishment, but she has her mind set on something even greater.
“I believe I’m going to be a nurse and in my heart I feel that I’m very much going to get there,” said Christopherson.
If this award is any indication, Christopherson’s on the right path.
If it’s up to Thrush and the other nurses at Shelby Hospital, Christopherson will be able to return as an RN and serve at the very hospital that gave her her start.