The award is given annually to recognize a registered nurse involved in direct patient care at Metro Health who has demonstrated exceptional nursing practice.  Candidates are nominated by their peers. Metro’s Professional Nursing Council evaluates nominations based on the nurse’s ability to deliver outstanding care, stimulate critical thinking in her or her peers, provide continuous assistance, serve as a mentor and positively influence the work of the entire healthcare team.

Croff joined Metro Health in September 1999 and currently works as a registered nurse in the Surgery Preparation and Recovery Department.  She holds a degree in bachelor in science of nursing from Ferris State University.

Her nomination form noted: “This nurse is an excellent example of how to be a great patient advocate. She is able to look at the patient situation and is able to identify and anticipate immediate and future needs of each and every patient and in turn go above and beyond.”

The nomination goes on to point out multiple examples of how Croff has provided outstanding direct care to patients including, picking up and delivering medications to patients, helping a patient afford much-needed medications, and her willingness to assist whenever needed, even on her days off.

Additionally, the nomination form stated: “Croff provides mentorship to her peers on a regular basis. I personally seek this nurse out because I have learned so much from her already in the past. She sets positive examples for peers, new hires and students. Because of her former emergency room experience, she is able to demonstrate how to think quick on your feet in emergent, stressful situations.”

This honor recognizes AODME members who have provided meritorious service to the organization and the osteopathic profession for no less than five years. Inductees must meet several criteria to be considered. Fellows must have supported the AODME by attendance, with committee service, and in program participation, presentations or lecturing. In addition, they must have supported the osteopathic profession while active in a medical specialty area and/or a professional position related to osteopathic medicine/medical education, and in osteopathic fields outside of the AODME.

Navarre has been involved in osteopathic medical education for 14 years. She has also been a member of the AODME since 1998, and serves on the organization’s program committee. She is also a member of the Michigan Association of Osteopathic Directors and Medical Educators. She is one of only six non-physicians to be awarded the fellowship status nationwide since the Collegium of Fellows began in 1984.

Navarre has been honored previously by Metro Health Hospital with the AT Still Medical Education Award and th YWCA Tribute Women of Achievement award.

She currently serves on the Kent Health Plan board and on the executive committeee of the Michigan Assocation of Osteopathic Directors and Medical Educators.

This honor recognizes ASE members who have fulfilled both the training and performance requirements that are necessary for certification through the National Board of Echocardiography. This designation recognizes that Saab is committed to continued excellence in the field of echocardiography, as it applies to diagnosis and management of cardiovascular conditions. ASE is the largest global organization for cardiovascular ultrasound imaging and is the leader and advocate, setting practice standards and guidelines.

An endovascular interventionalist, Saab has more than a decade of experience in cardiology and cardiovascular medicine. He is board certified in nuclear cardiology, echocardiography, internal medicine, general cardiology and interventional cardiology. He joined Metro Health’s growing practice in heart and vascular medicine in 2011.

Saab obtained his medical degree from the University of Damascus/School of Medicine. He completed a residency in internal medicine at Wayne State University and fellowships at the University of Michigan, St. John Hospital and Tufts University of Medicine/Baystate Medical Center.

Schools in the greater Grand Rapids areas will compete with one another in the “King of Hearts Challenge” to raise money for community heart screenings for student athletes. Schools are encouraged to register for the challenge and the public is invited to attend the special kick-off party being held on Wednesday, Feb. 29, at the Metro Health cafe at 2 p.m. Jared Veldheer, an offensive tackle for the Oakland Raiders and graduate of Forest Hills Northern High School, will join Metro Health for the party.

Schools that register for the challenge will have the opportunity to raise money through t-shirt sales. T-shirts will cost $10 a piece. Schools are also encouraged to be creative and come up with additional ways to raise money for the challenge.

For each $100 a school raises, that school will recieve one entry into a drawing for first, second and third place winners. The more money the school raises the greater their chance of winning a prize in the drawing. The first place winner will receive an acoustic concert from Travis and Hunter of We The Kings, a visit from Veldheer and free heart screenings to 80 student athletes from Metro Health, all at their school. The second and third place winners will be provided with an automated external defibrillator, or AED, as well as free specialized training classes from the Wes Leonard Heart Team.

“EKGs are not routinely performed as part of the cardiovascular screening done at a child’s sports physical, but recent evidence suggests they should. The additional cost, however, is often difficult for families to afford,” said Dr. Ed Kornoelje, sports medicine physician at Metro Health. “Yet, as we remember the shocking death of Wes Leonard last year, cardiologists and sports medicine physicians around the world have suggested heart screenings including a baseline EKG and ECHO, if necessary, may help identify those with cardiac issues that place them at higher risk for sudden cardiac death and serve as an important preventative measure.”

“The King of Hearts Challenge is aimed at helping to prevent the sudden cardiac death of a student athlete by providing more students with EKGs to detect those students who are at risk.”

The King of Hearts Challenge will run Feb. 29 through April 20. To register, visit metrohealth.net. Schools can still register any time after the kick off date.