United Health Services Delaware Valley Hospital Honors Laurie Gross

The Sally Dean award is UHS Delaware Valley Hospital’s most prestigious award. It was created in memory of registered nurse, Sally Dean, who during her tenure at Delaware Valley, treated her patients, their visitors and her co-workers with true dedication, commitment and compassion.

Hospital employees are encouraged to nominate someone for the award and this year, members of the DVH staff overwhelmingly nominated Laurie Gross, RN. Laurie is the manager of the hospital’s emergency and ambulatory services departments.

A graduate of Crouse Irving Nursing School in Syracuse, Laurie began her career as an LPN at Delaware Valley, working while continued to study for her registered nurse license. In fact, speaking of Sally Dean, Laurie said, “she was my first teacher, in real life work.”

Once she graduated, she worked as a float nurse, caring for patients on the medical/surgical floor, in the special care unit, maternity and the emergency room. Having performed so many various types of nursing, she left Delaware Valley in 1998 to experience caring for patients in their homes as a public health nurse.

In 2003, DVH was very fortunate to have her come back, once again as a float nurse until 2005, when she became a house supervisor and an emergency room nurse. Because of her competency and excellent leadership abilities, Laurie was promoted to department manager in 2017.

In presenting the award, Paul Summers, President and CEO spoke of how well respected Laurie is by her staff, the physicians, providers, and her peers. He reminded everyone that Laurie was and remains the catalyst behind the hospital’s very successful Teddy Bear clinic, which hosts second graders from five area schools each year. He went on to explain the importance of helping children to better understand what happens in a hospital, what some of the equipment looks like so they will be less afraid should they or a loved one need care.

Some quotes from the nominations included: “She makes it a pleasure to come to work; …having her as my boss has made me a better employee.” Several spoke of how she jumps in to help if the Emergency Room gets busy. “Laurie goes above and beyond for patients and staff. She treats everyone with dignity and respect.” With these kinds of accolades, (some learned from her first teacher, perhaps?), Laurie was a perfect choice for this year’s award.