Coffey County Hospital Laboratory Assistant Holly Peters is a shining example of dedication in the healthcare field. Her unwavering commitment to patient care was recognized on September 5, when the Kansas Hospital Association (KHA) presented her with a 2024 Heart of Health Care Award.
“We couldn’t be more proud of Holly’s recognition,” said Coffey Health System Chief Executive Officer Stacy Augustyn. "She sets an incredibly high bar for patient care and genuinely cares about her patients, their families, and colleagues."
The CHS staff elected Peters to represent them in the KHA program (previously the Health Care Worker of the Year Award). She was among 21 nominees from across Kansas.
Leading a vital community service
For 14 years, Holly Peters has been the driving force behind Coffey Health System’s annual community blood tests in Coffey and Woodson Counties. Her collaboration with all CHS clinics, dietary, marketing, materials, billing, and Coffey County EMS has made this program a resounding success. This year alone, 317 community members and CHS staff received discounted comprehensive panels and prostate screens, a testament to Holly's dedication to the community and her understanding of the importance of a familiar face in healthcare.
Holly’s patients consider her part of their personal healthcare team, alongside their doctor and clinic nurse. She advocates for her patients and carefully monitors physician orders and test results. Even if the patient is under the care of a specialist in another city, they frequently have their labs done at CHS and ask for Holly by name. For these patients, Holly truly is the face of CHS. Lab Supervisor Gerald Fuller respects that connection, even if it means rescheduling tests around Holly’s schedule.
“It’s all about what is best for the patient. One person can make or break a healthcare journey. If it’s Holly that a patient wants and we can make it happen, that’s everything,” Fuller said. “That’s where healthcare shines, and it is worth it to ensure that they see Holly.”
Compassion & empathy are her calling cards
Holly has a unique ability to meet patients where they are emotionally. A colleague states, “She interacts with every patient like they are her long-lost best friend, making them feel important.” If a patient is anxious, Holly offers comfort and calmly explains the test. She can make a distraught child laugh, a worried family member smile, or a confused senior feel safe and heard. Every day, Holly turns what could be a negative patient experience into a tolerable one. She can enter a room with a stranger and come out with a friend—regardless of the discomfort involved with needle sticks, blood draws, or nasal swabs.
Her compassion and empathy are also evident to her colleagues. She shows the utmost respect and understanding of various departments throughout CHS. She races to the ER because she knows how crucial an initial baseline result is. She volunteers to visit the clinic to see patients for whom coming to the lab poses difficulty. In obstetrics, she consoles and educates new moms regarding tests performed on their newborns. Through this dedication to her patients, Holly has built a strong rapport with the CHS medical staff.
Never was Holly’s compassion and empathy more evident than during the pandemic. No mask could hide her cheerful demeanor and sense of calm. Even when staff forgot to inform her that a busload of patients with special needs was coming in for tests, Holly didn’t miss a beat—she just grabbed more supplies and cared for the patients, each like they were her only patient of the day.
Making CHS a better place
While Holly’s work on the Community Blood Tests program is undoubtedly the shining star of her healthcare career, her influence among the CHS family goes much deeper. She makes it a point to welcome new staff, especially lab staff from around the world. She generously acquaints these new colleagues with the community and ensures they have everything they need—at work and home—and checks in regularly to offer help, including transportation.
Holly's genuine care and concern for her colleagues is evident throughout the year. Still, it shines most brightly during the holidays. She crafts several unique Christmas trees, wreaths, and gift baskets each year for the staff’s annual silent auction. Not only does she contribute to fundraising, but she also volunteers her time to shop for families. When she discovered that a couple had only provided gift ideas for their children, Holly dipped into her own pocket to purchase gifts for the parents. She even redeemed her Hoover’s “points” to provide additional gift cards; in doing so, she ensured these CHS families could enjoy a special holiday meal.
When CHS started a new Associate Advisory Council (a forum to give employees an additional voice regarding concerns or issues that affect them in the workplace), she was among the first to volunteer.
Holly was honored as Coffey Health System's award recipient during a presentation on August 24.