Congratulations to our Winter 2025 Extra Inch Award winner, Kendal Cooney, an RN in our Medical Surgical/Critical Care Unit! Going the “extra inch” is doing something above what is expected in service to a patient or their loved one. Extra Inch Award winners and nominees are those who help improve a patient’s experience by going out of their way to ensure the best possible care.
Kendal was recognized by her colleague, Jenna Baker, RN, for giving excellent nursing care and going above and beyond to ensure a husband and wife, who were both patients, were able to spend some of their final moments together.
Kendal Cooney, RN, Med-Surg/Critical Care Unit
Winter 2025 Extra Inch Award Winner
“I have always admired Kendal as a coworker and nurse. She is extremely intelligent, empathetic, compassionate, and a strong advocate for her patients. She truly is someone that goes the extra inch every day for her patients.
“We recently had a patient admitted to CCU that was familiar to us on MS/CCU. His wife was also admitted to MS the same day. He was sick with an acute illness complicated by his extensive chronic health issues. He ended up intubated and declining after that. Prior to intubation Kendal was his nurse. She brought his wife down to his room so they could have a ‘dinner date,’ a thoughtful gesture that his wife will likely not forget. Family was eventually called to make a decision on the goals of care as patient continued to decline. Kendal had been checking in on the patient from home. When she heard this news, she came in to sit with the patient on her day off. She ended up being able to provide the same care and comfort she provided him over the years, in his final moments. I know without a doubt that the patient appreciated Kendal’s presence, and it meant a lot to his family as well.
I know this family personally and reached out and spoke with his daughter. This is what she shared with me (with permission):
“‘I can’t remember if she took care of dad the first time, he was admitted with a blood clot or his first collapsed lung a few years ago. She did not know him prior. They just immediately had a special bond. After his first collapsed lung, he went to Henry Ford, and then back to McGuire Unit for rehab. He was sure to check on him while he was there. I know she took care of him on other admissions after that. Recently, when him and mom were admitted with RSV, she checked on mom and made sure they had a dinner date together on Sunday. Mom was so excited to meet her because she knew how much dad adored her. Mom is so thankful she made that dinner happen and she has that memory. Mom was released on Monday, and we were able to visit with dad before we left. Tuesday morning, Dr. Chaudhry called to tell us that dad need to go on the vent. Friday, Dr. Shukr called, it was time for us to come in because his organs were shutting down. I planned on coming to stay the night with dad so he would not be alone. When I pulled in the hospital called and my heart sank. It was Kendal. She asked if I was on my way, and I told her I just pulled in. She came right down to meet me and gave me the biggest hug. She told us that she had been sitting with him. She went in to see him out of the goodness of her heart. She made our most traumatic day so much easier. I know after we said our final goodbye that night, she went back in with him, so he wasn’t alone. She shared her favorite memories of my dad and was sure to tell me how proud he was of me for finishing my bachelor’s degree and he was also excited to tell her I was engaged. She is an amazing human, and I will forever be thankful for her. I can’t think of anyone more deserving of an award for going above and beyond.’
“I was chatting with Kendal yesterday about this patient and how amazing of a person I think she is, and she said to me, ‘I am just so grateful God chose me to be his nurse all those years ago and then allowed me to comfort him in his last moments of life. I think it brought us both peace. Such an honor that I will forever be grateful for.’
“This is certainly not the only time that Kendal has went above and beyond for her patients, this is regular practice for her. Hillsdale Hospital is so blessed to have her on our team.”
Nomination by Jenna Baker, RN
Also nominated were Tina Rummel & Amy Bolenbaugh from our laboratory; Melanie Sutton, RN & Elizabeth Cook, DO from our emergency department; Desiree Waite, CNA in the McGuire & MacRitchie Skilled Nursing Facility; Kimberly Keys, psych tech from our Behavioral Health Unit; Anniesa Farris, RN on our Critical Care Unit; Brittany Shaffer, RN in the surgery department; and Layne Cooney, LPN on the McGuire & MacRitchie Skilled Nursing Facility.
Melanie Sutton, RN & Elizabeth Cook, DO, Emergency Department
Winter 2025 Extra Inch Nominee
“On February 5, 2025, we had a patient with a ruptured AAA that required a mass transfusion. Melanie and Dr. Cook rode on the ambulance with the EMS crew to Jackson and took the patient directly into the OR. Melanie was described by her coworkers as “absolutely amazing” and “doing the work of three nurses” while orienting a new staff member. She transfused the blood and managed three critical drips enroute. This patient’s BP was 43/palp upon arrival to HFJ. The follow up was given to Dr. Cook and the patient made it through the surgery after 10 more units PRBCs, 10 units FFP, and 3 units platelets. The patient’s wife was already admitted at HFJ so their son was available to be given updates by our team and then the OR team there.
Melanie came back to finish charting and didn’t leave until 2 am, ensuring she completed her charting on that patient. Melanie takes great pride in the care she provides and both her and Dr. Cook went far beyond and extra inch for this patient and literally saved his life.”
— Valerie Hepker
Brittany Shaffer, RN, Surgery
Winter 2025 Extra Inch Nominee
“Brittany is the heart of our department, a true pillar of strength and dedication. Not only does she excel in patient care, but she also takes on multiple responsibilities that keep our unit running seamlessly. From managing sterile processing to working across all specialties, picking cases, stocking supplies, and scrubbing into surgery whenever she has the opportunity—she is always there, ensuring everything functions smoothly.
Her commitment goes far beyond her role. She steps up in every way imaginable, never hesitating to do what is needed to support her colleagues and provide the best possible care. Her tireless work ethic, adaptability, and willingness to take on additional duties make her truly invaluable. She embodies excellence, and her contributions deserve the highest recognition and appreciation.”
— Anonymous
Kimberly Keys, Psychiatric Technician, Behavioral Health Unit
Winter 2025 Extra Inch Nominee
“We recently had an elderly patient who was hospitalized on our unit who was becoming withdrawn and depressed due to the length of his hospital stay. Kim came in on her day off to spend time with that patient. She took him on a walk through the hospital and took him outside to walk the grounds. In the time that I spent with that patient, he mentioned feeling that no one noticed him as a human before he came here. Kim made him feel noticed and known. There have been multiple occasions that Kim will use her own funds to bring something that patients have needed. She continually notices and makes people feel known and I feel it is her turn to be noticed and known.”
— Makayla Weigle
Anniesa Farris, RN, Critical Care Unit
Winter 2025 Extra Inch Nominee
“Anniesa is highly regarded by numerous departments for her exceptional dedication. She is always willing to assist and consistently demonstrates teamwork. Anniesa goes out of her way to make all of her colleagues feel valued and appreciated. Her patients commend her exceptional listening skills and her ability to help them feel at ease during their stressful days in the ICU. Anniesa is dedicated to her work and patients. She constantly updates her knowledge and writes notes to educate herself on unfamiliar topics.”
— Marisa Mead
Desiree Waite, CNA, McGuire & MacRitchie Skilled Nursing Facility
Winter 2025 Extra Inch Nominee
“Desiree went out of her way to change every clock on the floor for daylight savings. Ensuring everything would run smoothly for the day and ensuring the residents wouldn’t lose track of time.”
— Kaitlin Cable
Layne Cooney, LPN, McGuire & MacRitchie Skilled Nursing Facility
Winter 2025 Extra Inch Nominee
“Layne Cooney is a very kindhearted person and every time she comes to work, she goes above and beyond for our patients. She is always willing to help out the nurses as well as the other CNAs, she never has a bad attitude and is a hard worker.”
— Kylee Dunbar
