The University of Iowa Health Care Making a Difference program is designed to recognize individuals who have performed in an exemplary manner, consistent with the goals of service excellence, and with a commitment to quality care.

Over the last few months, members of our department were nominated by colleagues, patients, and patient family members for a variety of actions that have had a major impact. (One member, as you will see below, has been nominated twice since our last post.) Recognizing others is fast and easy with the Making a Difference nomination form.

Cynthia Larew, Clinical Research Nurse
Page Scovel, Staff Member

Cyndi has been a lifeline, friend and caregiver to a patient that does not have much support. She has provided emotional support, comfort, empathy & great care during a very scary time for this patient. She always takes the call when called day or night. She helps provide continuity of care and is a resource for the patient and his caregivers. She has provided light to this patient. She makes a difference in his life and all of her patients. I am grateful the opportunity to work with her & learn from her.

Lama Noureddine, MD
Nominated by: J.T., patient

Dr. Noureddine is an absolutely superb physician. When she walks into the room, I know I’m going to be seen by the best. She is extremely well-versed on my medical record and all recent developments. Her “bedside manner” shows knowledge, compassion and a real concern for me not only as a patient, but as an individual. She is very responsive to any concerns and she provides realistic options for solving those concerns. UIHC should be proud of her patient care. I would strongly recommend her to anyone in need of specialized care.

Lemuel Non, MD
Nominated by: S.L., patient

Dr. Non literally saved my life. He first saw me first as an inpatient at U Iowa in 2021, and I have worked with him ever since. He listens to me, responds quickly, and has offered me the best treatments and tests to make sure I am okay. My infection is very serious, and he has researched and offered me the best care, with the best bedside manner. U Iowa is so lucky to have him, and so am I lucky to be his patient. Thank you.

Aimee Foster, ARNP
Nominated by: B.B., patient’s family

Aimee is an amazing advocate for her patient (S.B). We appreciate how well she communicated with S.B. and his family. Her compassion is obvious and we are grateful for her help. Thank you, Aimee, from S.B.’s family!

Katie (Katherine) Schroeder, ARNP
Nominated by: B.B., patient’s family

Katie provided valuable information to S.B. (patient) as well as his family. We were grateful for her attention to detail. She had S.B.’s best interest in mind with all of her tasks. Even when she had not-so-good news, she helped walk us through the process. Thank you from our entire family! Keep being an awesome nurse, an advocate for your patients, and a wonderful person.

Ian Kidder, MD, MS
Nominated by: anonymous staff member

Ian Kidder was recently a provider for an off-service patient on 3JCP. As a nurse who works with BMT and malignant heme patients, there aren’t often more than two teams we have to communicate with during the day. So when we have off-service patients it can throw a wrench in our workflow and we often struggle to receive clear communication. I was extremely impressed with the communication I experienced from Ian. He was quick to respond to questions and concerns regarding the patient. He was willing to meet the patient at the bedside to address the plan for the day, even multiple trips to our floor rather than just rounding once for the day. These actions might sound simple (and to be expected of care providers) but Ian’s behavior did not go unnoticed and was appreciated and expressed by multiple of my coworkers today. Ian is the type of provider that you look forward to working with again.

Poorani Sekar, MD
Nominated by: U.L., patient

When my surgical site became infected after my knee replacement surgery, it was a really scary time. Dr. Sekar carefully and methodically explained what was happening, what the treatment would be, and any possible complications. She carefully listened and answered my questions. Thanks to her excellent diagnosis, I am well on the way to recovery.