The Queen’s Medical Center Honors Christy Passion as Employee of the Year

Christy Passion, RN

The Queen’s Medical Center recently selected Christy Passion, RN, as Employee of the Year. The Queen's Employee of the Year is chosen from 12 Employees of the Month who represent a staff of over 3,500. Christy earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing at the University of Hawaii and advanced her training at Queen's to become a Crisis Nurse. She was selected for her actions in increasing safety for Queen's patients. Calling patient falls in hospitals across the country "unacceptable," Christy took it upon herself to increase education among staff. She researched the issue, lobbied for funds for new equipment and classes, and then trained 17 others to help teach them.

"I really don't believe it's only one person, or even one service line that makes patient care happen," Christy said, reflecting on her newly bestowed honor. The crisis nurse went on to elaborate that doing her job alone would not be possible. "There are many hands along the way. When a patient crashes, the entire team is there for me. I say a patient needs help, and they come running." Christy acknowledges the respiratory techs, CT techs, x-ray techs, pharmacists and the residents as always being there for her. Her multi-discipline training and ability to interface with teams served her well when it came time to develop her special project, falls training. She called on everyone she knew, and met anyone she didn’t know but thought could help, from ambulance drivers to Emergency Department staff. They were all willing to help, and in the end, some 900 QMC staff members were trained in patient falls care and prevention. "It was a very big collaborative effort," Christy said. "I created the program, but I had so many great resources."

It can truly be said that Christy Passion reflects Queen's C.A.R.E. Values—Compassion, Aloha, Respect and Excellence.