Return to Main Menu

Immunization nurse adds personal, cheerful touch by Heather Murphy Public Relations Stella Seels is famous among her coworkers and patients. Maybe it’s the candy bowl she sets out for everyone, or the houseplants she brought from home, or the cuddly stuffed animals that add flashes of color to the examination room. Or maybe it’s the idea that Stella cares for everyone who crosses her path and her belief in the little things. Stella Seels, Family Medicine, prepares a young patient for an immunization.  “We created the immunization nurse position to free up time for other nurses,” said Deborah Adams, Family Medicine. “It can be very frustrating when you’re seeing patients and everything has to go on hold to perform an immunization.” But Seels didn’t just take on the position, she added her own personal touch. “In other places I’ve worked, I’ve decorated for all of the holidays,” Seels said. “I wanted the immunization room to be cheerful and give the patients something else to focus on besides getting an immunization.” A large bookcase houses numerous stuffed animals and toys, courtesy of Seels’ grandchildren and the daughter of a woman in medical records, and green leaves and vines drip from the shelf across the room. A teddy bear sits on the chart holder on the door welcoming patients and a kooky monster swings above the exam bed.  Adams, introduced to Seels’ decorating during various holidays, said because of Seels’ position and the cheery room, patient and staff morale is up and waiting times are down. “I’ve noticed that having this room and this position definitely makes a difference around peak immunization times, like when school comes back into session. “What’s really neat is that adult patients seem to like it just as much as the children do,” Seels said.     Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.