HFC alumna is among "World Leaders in Healthcare"
In nearly 30 years as a nurse, Karen L. Piotrowski has gone beyond the call of duty for her patients.
Piotrowski, Practice Manager of Hematology, Medical and Specialty Oncology at St. Mary Mercy in Livonia, also teaches nursing at the University of Detroit Mercy. She has won several awards and accolades throughout her career, but none as prestigious as winning two Daisy Awards – the nursing profession’s equivalent of the Oscars.
“While it was nice to be recognized, I feel the actions I took in both instances were what anyone would have done,” said Piotrowski, of Canton. “The first Daisy Award was for going to a co-worker’s home for dressing changes on her back. She could not do them herself, and her family wasn’t trained to do them. The second Daisy Award was because I heard from an elderly patient who had been discharged that he didn’t have any food and was also having some GI issues. I asked him what sorts of food he liked, went shopping for him, and delivered the food to his home.”
Still, it came as a surprise to Piotrowski when she learned that she will be highlighted in the upcoming publication, Worldwide Leaders in Healthcare, slated for a release this fall. WLH is an annual publication of the International Nurses Association, which names exemplary members and leaders in the nursing field. A short biography of each member is included, highlighting their accomplishments.
“Karen represents the kind of leadership we hope all our nursing graduates aspire to,” said Dr. Susan Shunkwiler, Dean of HFC’s School of Health and Human Services. “This is why we teach the way we teach. Nurses are expected to provide top-quality care, and there’s a high bar for the patient experience. Nurses do heroic things daily, but they tend to be humble about awards and recognition. We’re always proud of our alumni and the ways they represent this profession.”
Why nursing?
Science and medicine have always fascinated Piotrowski. Her interests, combined with caring for ill family members at a young age, made a career in nursing a good fit for her. The Dearborn High School alumna earned her associate degree in nursing and her registered nurse certification from HFC in 1989. In 1997, she earned her bachelor's degree in nursing from Oakland University. In 2004, she earned her master's degree in nursing from the University of Phoenix.
Additionally, Piotrowski has completed a number of advanced training courses while working as a nurse. She is a member of the American Nurses Association, the Michigan Organization of Nurse Leaders, and the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.
A proven leader in her field, Piotrowski has held several positions prior to her current role at St. Mary’s: She was unit director with more than 100 direct reports, and director of nursing over six medical surgical units with six nurse managers and more than 600 direct reports.
Seamless care is key
In her current position, Piotrowski works for three oncologists. She supervises two nurse practitioners, three RNs, five medical assistants, and two office assistants. Piotrowski facilitates the integrated care processes between the office and the hospital patient care units, lab, radiology, respiratory, physical therapy, dietary/food and nutrition, and Inspirit Salon and Spa. The latter offers an array of medical and therapeutic goods and services for patients.
“All of these departments work together to provide seamless care for our patients,” she said. “We have spiritual care staff making rounds daily in the clinic and the infusion center to support our patients and their families.”
A typical day – if there is such a thing – for Piotrowski starts with a morning meeting, where she goes over the day’s agenda: the number of patients scheduled, what the hospital census looks like, how busy the ER is, which patients need additional support (spiritual, transportation, financial, emotional, educational).
“I love working with patients, caring for them, and helping them to feel the best they can. I also love teaching nursing. To see the light of understanding when a student recognizes or understands a process or is able to implement evidence-based care is very rewarding,” said Piotrowski. “HFC has an excellent program that sets the foundation for a successful career in healthcare. The College has very high standards and strict processes that ensure the highest caliber of students completing the program and successfully passing their state board exams, allowing them to have a very satisfying career in healthcare.”