Alan Pearson named a 2017 “100 Great Iowa Nurse”
MHP CEO Jay Christensen is pictured with Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Alan Pearson after the 13th annual ceremony of “100 Great Iowa Nurses” where Alan was recognized on Sunday, May 7, 2017.
Oskaloosa – Mahaska Health Partnership Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist Alan Pearson has been named to the 13th annual listing of “100 Great Iowa Nurses.”
The Oskaloosa resident will be honored with other recipients at a special ceremony recognizing National Nurses Week on May 7 in Des Moines. This year, the 100 honorees represent 39 Iowa counties, and were selected from a pool of more than 400 individuals who were nominated by colleagues, patients, doctors, friends and family members. The field of nominees was narrowed to 100 by a panel of reviewers, including nursing professionals and previous honorees.
Pearson has worked in MHP Surgical Services for 22 years and continues to be a tireless advocate for patients. According to his nomination, he selflessly devotes himself to patients so they can have the care they deserve in this community. “He has taken on call duties every other weekend for all of his children’s lives, yet has always been willing to stay late when not on call if it helps a patient get to surgery faster or helps staff members get home to their families faster,” said MHP Director of Surgical Services Michele Manternach.
“Alan is known for his great sense of humor. He continues to use humor as a way to reach his patients, to help alleviate their anxiety and lighten their load of suffering,” Manternach continued. “Patients continually remark on his compassion and sense of humor. He is referred to on patient surveys as ‘the funny one,’ much to his chagrin, as he wants to be the ‘good looking’ one.”
MHP CEO Jay Christensen said those chosen for this honor are to be commended for advancing the profession of nursing. “This award recognizes outstanding nurses from across the state whose exceptional contributions to patients, colleagues and the profession are truly remarkable,” Christensen said.
“Alan’s most significant contributions can be seen in the high performance of the nurses who work side by side with him every day. He is continually teaching, whether it is medical students, nursing students or his colleagues at MHP,” Christensen stressed. “The sheer number of people influenced by his teaching is immeasurable. Without a doubt, Alan exemplifies making healthcare personal for our patients, staff and the community.”
Christensen said MHP is proud and thankful that the organization has many great nurses and because of their care, patients benefit. Since 2009, MHP has had 29 nurses recognized as a “100 Great Iowa Nurses.”
