MUSC nurse honored with national award
Mandy Larson, R.N., a neonatal intensive care nurse, was honored Feb. 11 by the MUSC Children’s Hospital as one of 10 nurses in the nation to receive the 2003 Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award.
Dr.
Carol Dobos, director, Children’s Services, pins Mandy Larson during a
Feb. 11 reception. Larson was one of 10 awarded the 2003 Cherokee Inspired
Comfort Award.
She received the award in recognition of her attempt to assist in an accident without regard for personal safety. She suffered serious injury, requiring extensive hospitalization, but she returned to nursing as soon as she was physically capable.
On Jan. 19, 2002, Larson finished her shift and visited her husband, Eric Larson, a Meducare EMT, at the Meducare office several blocks from the hospital. When an accident occurred nearby, Mandy, Eric and other health care professionals ran to the car involved in the accident to assist any injured occupants. But the lone occupant of the car was not injured and aimed a handgun at the group.
Anthony Pirraglia, a flight nurse, was killed, and Mandy was injured by bullets to her hip, arm and shoulder. She lost two liters of blood and credits her husband with saving her life.
Following extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation, Mandy returned to work, first temporarily as her health permitted. She returned full-time in November.
“Mandy is an amazing nurse,” said Cynthia Snyder, R.N., nurse manager of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. “She required many surgeries, and despite physical and mental trauma, her primary focus has been getting back to being a neonatal intensive care nurse. She truly loves her babies and their families and cares about the staff she works beside every day. She continues to overcome physical limitations without complaint while making a difference in all she does. She has been a true role model to those of us who are fortunate to have our health and have no physical limitations.”
Mandy said she is honored by the award.
“Every day, nurses go above and beyond their normal scope of working because they love what they do. I am just lucky enough to have a husband who felt the need to nominate me for this award. I would like to thank all of the Meducare employees for being there and saving my life, especially my husband, Eric. I wish they all could receive this award. They truly were great people that night.”
There were 600 nominees nationally for the award. Recipients received a new wardrobe of Cherokee uniforms and shoes, a glass inscribed award, and a commemorative 2003 Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award golden pin.
In addition, winners are featured on the 2004 Cherokee calendar.
Mandy has been with the Medical University since 1997. Prior to receiving her nursing credentials, she worked in the area of radiology. In 1999, she began her MUSC nursing career, working on a general pediatric unit and then transferring to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in 2000.
For more information on the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award visit http://www.cherokeeuniforms.com/inspiredcomfort/.
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