LMC announces winner of Kenneth M. Petersen, M.D. Memorial Award
Lexington Medical Center Announces Winner of
2022 Kenneth M. Petersen, M.D. Memorial Award
Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Lexington Medical Center is pleased to announce this year’s recipient of the Kenneth M. Peterson Award. The 2022 winner is Russell Buchanan, RN, BSN, nurse manager of surgical operations.
Criteria for the Kenneth Petersen M.D. Memorial Award was developed by the Lexington Medical Center Medical Executive Committee after the untimely loss of Dr. Petersen in November 2010. The Kenneth M. Petersen M.D. Memorial Award was created in his memory to honor a Lexington Medical Center employee annually. Criteria includes punctuality; dedication to the hospital; dedication to one’s position; respect from peers and volunteer services in the community. “Russell is a most deserving candidate for this award as he meets all the criteria on a very high level. Russell embodies servant leadership,” said Sheila Crumb, CRNA and nominator.
Russell has worked at Lexington Medical Center for 27 years and served in many capacities including operating room staff nurse, nursing supervisor and now in his role as the manager of the operating room and special procedures unit.
“Russell has dedicated much of his time outside of working hours promoting this hospital to our local community. One of his most notable contributions to the hospital was the creation of a metal daisy that was welded and painted by him and his sons. This creation stands in the outpatient surgery area and represents the National Daisy Award, in recognition of nurses who exhibit extraordinary clinical skills and compassionate care.”
Over the past couple of years as our medical centers have learned to navigate the pandemic and keep patients and employees as safe as possible, Russell has made sure that patient safety and surgeon needs are his top priority. As we have encountered supply chain issues, Russell has worked hard to track down specialty surgical supplies and driven to other facilities to retrieve supplies and equipment that were needed immediately to maximize the care of our patients. “Russell has been a key contributor in ensuring that instruments and equipment have been available to surgeons who may be new to Lexington Medical Center. He has rolled out the red carpet to welcome these surgeons to our facility,” said Crumb. “The surgeons have been appreciative and complimentary of his efforts and they view him as a great resource and point of contact.”
Other colleagues contributed to the nomination form stating, “He is very resourceful throughout the hospital. He is very knowledgeable about all of the daily clinical aspects of the Operating Room. His computer skills are well known and respected. He is humble, honest and disarming, making him a good person to discuss ideas with, to show you different perspectives and to safely discuss any issues.”
On his days off, Russell and his family are often involved in fundraisers and volunteer activities for many purposes within the community. Russell is very involved in his church and at times, he is a substitute musician, playing the bass guitar or piano in church. He recently built a ramp for one of our terminally ill teammates so that she could get in and out of her house efficiently.
Sheila shared, “When Dr. Petersen died, Russell and others from Lexington Medical Center were there for his family. Specifically, Russell and a couple of others helped relocate Dr. Petersen’s wife from Lexington to Raleigh, where she could be close to their daughter and grandchildren. This relocation plan was part of Dr. Petersen’s retirement plan. He was not able to realize his retirement dreams, but there were those like Russell, who put the plan in place for his loved ones.”
The Kenneth M. Petersen Award was presented by Bill James, President, Lexington Medical Center on Wednesday, May 11, during National Nurses’ Week and Hospital Week. Russell was recognized with a personal plaque and his name will be added to the Petersen Award Board that is displayed at the medical center.
Russell joins 11 other deserving nominees.
