Tracy Larson, LPN
Recipient of the Mission in Motion Award for SSM Health Bone & Joint at St. Anthony.
story and photo by James Coburn, Staff Writer
Tracy Larson, LPN, is the recipient of the Mission in Motion Award for SSM Health Bone & Joint at St. Anthony.
Larson works in the pre-admission testing department where she helps patients come in to get all their pre-op testing done. They go over their instructions to make sure they are medically optimized prior to surgery.
The award is for an exemplary employee who displays the mission of SSM in their daily work.
The SSM mission statement is, “Through our exceptional health care services, we reveal the healing presence of God…”
She has been with SSM for nearly 28 years come November. Larson said it’s the people she works with and the enriching work she does as a team member that keeps her loyal to SSM Bone & Joint at St. Anthony.
Her nursing career has influenced the way she sees the world and her own life. She has learned that with all the different types of people, they all have similar needs, and all want the same quality of life.
“I just want to treat people the way I would want to be treated,” she said. You can’t go wrong doing that.” (story continues below)
Some people have struggles about things other people take for granted, she said.
“I think it has taught me to be patient and be kind with people and to try to put myself in their shoes .You know you’re part of something that gives good quality care to people,” Larson said. “I just like being part of that.”
She admires the nursing staff’s commitment for doing their best for the patients.
She embarked on her nursing journey at Kiamichi Tech, located in McAlester.
“It was a good experience. I was very young and learned a lot,” Larson said. “I had really good instructors who really helped. They prepare us for working in healthcare.”
Her grandmother worked in a nursing home as an activities director and her mother, Joy Trolinger, is a registered nurse serving in hospice care. Larson listened to her mother speak highly of a nursing career.
“I admired her because she gave her all,” Larson explained.
She learned that being a nurse was hard work from her mom’s work ethic. Her mom is a nurturer. They continue to chat about how nursing changed their lives when they see one another every day.
“I just really wanted to serve people. I like taking care of people, too,” she said. “It’s important for nurses to be patient because our patients are in pain.”
Larson is one of the first faces patients see when entering the hospital. A big part of what she does is putting nervous patients at ease.
“I think telling them what to expect helps, and I think being a kind, friendly face reassures them that they will be taken care of,” she added.
By collecting pertinent health information, she provides a good picture about individualized patient care after surgery. Her effort helps to identify anything that might complicate their recovery or ability to undergo anesthesia. Anesthesiologists, surgeons, and the hospitalist team take note.
A lot of people have knee surgeries and return at a later date for a hip replacement. It’s always nice to see how patients have improved following a surgery, she said.
“That helps me tell the next person it’s going to be a long recovery, but it will be worth it,” Larson said.
Some people have endured pain for several years. So, Larson said it’s very rewarding for nurses and the healthcare team to know they have alleviated discomfort for the best quality of life.
“Most of them say they’re doing really well, and they are really pleased,” Larson said.
Spouses will sometimes have a joint replacement, too and choose SSM Health Bone & Joint at St. Anthony.
Success for nurses comes by paying attention to detail, she continued. They need to be alert to ask questions for evaluating health status, she said.
“You have to be able to communicate well, not just with the patients but the surgeons’ offices,” she explained. “I call facilities all the time, trying to get records on patients.”
Her own family members have been helped by Bone & Joint. Her nephew had an ACL reconstruction and recently her mom injured her shoulder and chose SSM Health Bone & Joint at St. Anthony. Larson is keen on balancing all aspects of life. She loves spending time with her family. Cooking a good meal every night and trying new recipes brings her joy.
For more information about SSM Health Bone & Joint at St. Anthony or to join the team visit https://jobs.ssmhealth.com.
