Come see Heather at SMC, you'll end up in stitches

By JOSH MCDONALD

Staff Reporter

KELLOGG — There’s something highly contagious coming out from Shoshone Medical Center…

Some might even call it infectious.

But don’t worry, because it is just the laughter and joy that comes from SMC nurse Heather Hendrix.

Shoshone Medical Center is proud to announce that Hendrix has recently been named SMC’s employee of the year.

Hendrix has been with Shoshone Medical Center for 12 years and has made her way around the hospital as a CNA, then a scrub-tech (surgical technologist), followed by getting her LPN (licensed practical nurse) certification, and now in wound care — where she is working toward her certification.

Hendrix’s work in SMC’s new outpatient wound care center has been exemplary and it was her terrific work, mixed with her charming personality, that got her nominated and ultimately selected for the honor.

“I work with some really great people,” Hendrix said. “It really is a family here. I love what I do and I love working with people.”

SMC has expanded quite a bit over the past few years, which has allowed Hendrix to move throughout the departments of the hospital, but she thinks she found her home in wound care.

“I really enjoy wound care,” Hendrix said. “We also have the endoscopy here, so whatever this turns into, I’m so happy here.”

Hendrix’s supervisor, Amber Melun, can see the profound effect that Hendrix has on her patients and how she has not only become a needed service, but a part of their lives.

“Our patients love her, like they truly love her and she has become a part of their daily lives,” Melun said. “And Heather remembers everything, about all of her patients. Names, children, pets, circumstances, everything. She really puts forth the effort to get to know her patients and they can see it.”

Wound care isn’t a place where you want to end up, but with nurses like Heather Hendrix there to help you, your visit there won’t be all bad.