An MUSC Hero
Nurse anesthetist
praised for dedication
by Cindy Abole
Public Relations
For more than three decades, Linda Dancy, certified registered nurse anesthetist, has committed herself to providing excellent patient care and the art and science of nurse anesthesia.
Linda DancyA clinical instructor within the College of Health Profession’s Anesthesia for Nurses Program, Dancy has been an active educator teaching others her craft since completing the master’s level program at MUSC in 1974. For the past 10 years, the Knoxville, Tenn. native has worked as chief nurse anesthetist in Rutledge Tower Ambulatory Surgery until recently. On Nov. 30, Dancy will leave MUSC after 33 years of dedicated service.
A compassionate, dedicated, lifelong learner, Dancy has seen and adjusted to a lot of changes within nursing and the anesthesiology specialty since starting her nursing career at Greenville General Hospital School of Nursing. Her clinical specialty is intubation in infants and laryngeal mask airway insertion.
“She has always loved working with students and fellow instructors,” said Bettie Spencer, nurse anesthetist and MUSC Anesthesia coordinator. Spencer also is a fellow nursing school alumnus, teaching colleague and friend. “She loves speaking to students and helping them and herself learn about new technology and techniques within her specialty.”
Charles T. Wallace, M.D., anesthesiologist and medical director of ambulatory surgery, is full of praise for his retiring colleague. Dancy helped coordinate the ambulatory care anesthesia care team once Rutledge Tower opened and expanded patient care in 1998.
“People love and respect her,” said Wallace. “Linda has exceptional patient care skills and is the ultimate professional. She’s a superb administrator and dedicated leader who’s not afraid to roll up her sleeves when her team is short on staff. She’ll be terribly missed by her peers and colleagues.”
Dancy also is involved with other aspects of nurse anesthesia education. She’s served different leadership roles with the South Carolina Association of Nurse Anesthetists and the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
She’s enjoyed another perspective of anesthesia and patient care by teaming up with Storm Eye Institute ophthalmologist and chairman Edward Wilson, M.D., and working on medical mission trips throughout the world to assist in challenging pediatric ophthalmology cases. Recently, she collaborated with Wilson by contributing to a pediatric ophthalmology textbook.
“Linda takes great care in providing the best care for her patients,” Spencer said. “She’s kind, professional and conscientious and treats all of her patients, especially children, with as much care as if they were her own.”
“She’s been a great support and friend to me and other colleagues,” said Gloria S. Burbage, fellow nurse anesthetist in Rutledge Tower Ambulatory OR. “She’s always available to talk and offer help and guidance in any way she can.”
Dancy’s plans are to divide her time between Charleston and her new Lake Adger home located outside of Asheville, N.C.
Editor’s note: At MUSC, heroes abound. They exist in the form of caregivers, faculty, students and staff. The Catalyst’s MUSC Heroes is a column that offers employees and staff the opportunity to recognize MUSC’s everyday heroes. Send an e-mail about your MUSC hero along with your name and office phone number to catalyst@musc.edu.
Friday, Nov. 23, 2007
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