BEST OF THE BEST: NSMC Team Honored for Quality Response to Pandemic Blood Crisis
We’ve always known that Zaqua Danielle Ervin was the best at her job as lab director at North Sunflower Medical Center. Now everyone is finding out about the excellence of Danielle and her team at saving lives through blood donations.
Danielle said she was initially surprised when Mississippi Blood Services announced NSMC as the “Top 10 Best for 2020 – Outstanding Service during the COVID Pandemic.’’
“I know we are one of the best at what we do, but NSMC is a small hospital. When I found out we ranked in the top 10, I was ecstatic,” Danielle said.
Knowing Danielle and her reputation for accomplishment, we were not surprised. Danielle stayed busy even before the pandemic to improve the overall health and well-being of the community through health fairs and blood drives. Then the global pandemic struck in 2020.
“The pandemic unleashed all sorts of problems from lack of reagents to a huge shortage in blood,” Danielle says. “One of the biggest obstacles with organizing a blood drive during the pandemic was social distancing. Our blood drives are done on a bus. The space is limited. We knew how important it was to keep everyone safe and healthy, but we knew how essential it was to help supply our community with blood.”
She was able to safely and efficiently keep the crucial supply of blood needed in the pandemic. Danielle already knew that she had an awesome team going into the pandemic.
“I cannot ask for a better team. They are a group of strong, ambitious, courageous, beautiful, supportive, and respectful individuals,” she says. “My team stepped up this past year. When the shutdown began, the lab volunteered to help where needed. We screened patients. We worked the Emergency room door, the COVID tent, and monitored the entrance to the hospital. We all shared a common goal, and we were eager to accomplish it.”
As NSMC celebrates this incredible honor, we also celebrate the work of our lab. This past week was the 46th anniversary of Medical Laboratory Professional Week.
“This tradition originated in 1975 as a national event to raise public awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the impact that laboratories play in a patient’s diagnosis and care,” Danielle tells us. “The week also strives to help the public understand the quality and professional accountability that clinical laboratories have relating to the patient. Laboratorians play a vital role as a member of the health care team. During this week we fellowship. We do potlucks, play games, and just have fun.”
Danielle says she’s always known NSMC was about teamwork.
“In my opinion, a team member is someone dedicated, hardworking, intelligent, reliable, and confident. A team member is someone who will stand with you until the doors close.”