Jeff Fink is 2022 Lakewood Health System Team Member of the Year

Staples, MN – August 26, 2022 — Jeff Fink, registered nurse, was named Lakewood Health System’s 2022 Team Member of the Year. The Team Member of the Year is chosen based on votes from Lakewood’s administrative team and the Lakewood Board. All nominees have received a STAR award during the voting year.

Fink’s nomination was submitted anonymously and stated: “Jeff consistently goes above and beyond for all his coworkers and patients. In the month of October, the hospital floor was very busy with very sick COVID patients. Anyone who has taken care of someone with COVID knows how sick they can get and how quickly they can decline. It is especially physically, mentally and emotionally taxing for those working 8 or 12-hour shifts. Jeff worked 17 overnight shifts in a row, most of which were 12 hours and all of them were spent working in the intensive care unit (ICU).

When a patient turned on their call light, regardless of their assigned nurse, you would find Jeff running (literally) to help that patient. Jeff rarely took a break, because someone might need help, so he ate his meals on the go. Patients often request Jeff as their nurse as they appreciate his care. Seeing his name on the schedule is always a breath of reassurance as he is always willing to tackle any task. Jeff is a valued nurse at Lakewood, and we are so lucky to have him on our team.”

Fink has worked at Lakewood for the past 18 years. He is currently working as a registered nurse in the hospital, caring for patients during their ICU and inpatient stays.