Spectrum Celebrates Inaugural Nurse of the Year Awards

2020 has been a whirlwind for all of us, but especially for nurses. In recognition of the incredible work nurses do – and in honor of the 200^th anniversary of the founder of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale – the World Health Organization has declared 2020 as the International Year of the Nurse.

Spectrum Health Systems and The New England Recovery Center value every member of our staff, but especially this year, we want to recognize our nurses who continually go above and beyond to deliver compassionate care to our clients seeking treatment for alcohol and other drug addiction. As a result, Spectrum recently launched Nurse of the Year awards for our inpatient and outpatient divisions.

Today, we’re excited to announce this year’s recipients:

Melanie Eugster, LPN (Inpatient Division, The New England Recovery Center)

Melanie has been working at The New England Recovery Center on our Westborough campus since 2016 as an integral part of the detox team. During the global pandemic, Spectrum and NERC jumped into action to develop a specialized COVID-19 unit, where Melanie volunteered to work and treat clients with COVID-19.

Melanie is a reliable co-worker and her peers value her work ethic and knowledge. She is described as “a dedicated Spectrum employee who consistently demonstrates teamwork and promotes a positive working environment. She is committed to our clients and is always willing to advocate on their behalf in order to see best outcomes. Melanie is the epitome of a true nursing professional who is compassionate and cares deeply about her role at Spectrum and for the population we serve. We are very grateful to have Melanie as part of our team!”

Melanie serves as a role model with her consistent professionalism. She delivers the highest quality of care to clients and their family members. Congratulations, Melanie!

Stephanie Sleeper, RN (Outpatient Division, Spectrum Health Systems in Leominster)

Stephanie has been working in Spectrum’s Outpatient Division since 2010. She began her Spectrum career at the Lincoln Street location and later transitioned to our Leominster facility, where she’s been working since 2015. Stephanie is a reliable coworker and her peers value her work ethic and knowledge of the outpatient system of care.

As described by her supervisor, Stephanie is “a dedicated employee that takes initiative and is always willing to take appropriate action with clients. Steph is client-centered and always willing to go the extra mile. She has a true passion for this work. Stephanie has been with our organization for almost ten years and she is looked up to by her coworkers.”

Day in and day out, Stephanie presents herself as prepared, supportive, and compassionate. She is kind to her coworkers, a natural leader, and always client-centered. She assists in training new nurses and supports her coworkers as they grow in their roles by teaching them the responsibilities of the medical staff. She is a true professional, and we’re proud to have her in our Spectrum family. Congratulations, Stephanie!

The fact that nursing is one of the most trusted professions is a given in our society. However, what is often less recognized, and what COVID-19 has made clear, is the ever-evolving, ever-expanding role of nurses in the healthcare system—a trend that is growing with this pandemic. Spectrum and NERC have continued to ask our nurses to go above and beyond during these difficult times and we continue to be grateful to all staff as we find our way to our new normal.

If you are a nurse or another health care or mental health care professional, consider a career in addiction treatment. Visit Spectrum’s careers page and learn more about the Spectrum family.