June 4th, 2024
Heidi Giacobbe, MSN, RN, Awarded Mission Champion June 2024
Heidi Giacobbe, MSN, RN, started her journey at St. Joseph Hospital in 2010 as part of the float nurse residency program. Throughout her time here, Heidi has worked in a variety of roles, including nursing on the inpatient surgical units, assistant nurse manager of an inpatient surgical unit, and nursing on our post-anesthesia care unit (PACU). In 2019, Heidi continued to grow her career by stepping into the role of Nurse Navigator for the Operating Room, where she truly enjoys coming to work every single day.
Heidi’s favorite aspect of her position is how rewarding it is to successfully optimize patients before their total joint surgeries or spinal surgeries. She dedicates the necessary time to each individual patient to ensure they are well-prepared for these major procedures, spending significant time with them both before and after surgery. This process also includes setting them up for success and and advocating for them when needed.
When asking Heidi about her most memorable moment while working here at St. Joseph Hospital, it was difficult for her to choose just one. Over the course of almost 14 years, having worked in multiple positions, there has been one consistency – the strong relationships she has built with her colleagues. Throughout every stage of her career, Heidi’s coworkers have turned into lifelong friends. Her first managers as a brand new nurse even continue to check in with her to this day!
Heidi also mentions the bond that her team in the PACU created during the COVID-19 pandemic and how that moment in time will forever be engrained in her memory. Heidi shares that she is extremely grateful to all of the people who have mentored, educated, encouraged, and supported her throughout every stage of her career thus far, and considers herself very fortunate to have so many wonderful people in her life that extend beyond being just coworkers.
Diane Walton, Quality Manager, shares, “Heidi looks to ensure every patient that she meets is ready for surgery and is appropriately resourced for discharge. Heidi’s focus is always on what the patient needs, not just for their procedures, but for afterwards as well. She works so hard and is driven to make our Advanced Hip & Knee Replacement Program (AHKRP) successful. Heidi is able to balance fiscal responsibility while providing the best possible care for every patient that enters the doors of St. Joseph Hospital for a joint replacement.”
To ensure the best practice outcomes for total joint and spinal surgeries, Heidi goes above and beyond, handling any necessary tasks for her patients. Her commitment extends well beyond the pre-surgical period, as she consistently stays connected with each patient from start to finish, monitoring their progress after surgery. Heidi does everything possible to ensure no patient ever feels lost in the system, engaging with patients and their families to provide the best care and outcomes possible.
When Heidi is not at work, you can find her enjoying time with her husband, Paul, and their three children, Jameson (5), Noah (2), Caleb (9 months), and their family dog! Whether it is taking part in family activities or heading to their beach house in Narragansett, Rhode Island, Heidi loves all the time she gets to spend with her boys!
Congratulations, Heidi!