On February 10, 2021, Trenna Larson, Registered Nurse (RN), has been named a recipient of the “Virginians Speak Up for Safety” award presented by the Virginia Hospital & Healthcare Association (VHHA) to recognize hospital team members who successfully intervene in clinical situations to protect patients or staff members from potential harm.

Christine Hart Kress, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO), with Fauquier Health commented, “Trenna Larson’s recognition by the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association for the fourth quarter Speak Up for Safety Award, really speaks volumes to the work that is being done here at the local level. For the last several years, Fauquier Health has focused heavily on patient safety and quality. Today, Trenna has set an unprecedented standard. We are proud of her dedication and commitment in serving our patients.”

VHHA established the statewide “Speak Up” award in 2017 as a recognition program to acknowledge the efforts of individuals and teams within Virginia hospitals who speak up to prevent potential harm to patients or other staff members. Employees who feel empowered to speak up to colleagues and those in authority roles are supported in doing so by positive organizational safety culture. Cultivating that climate is a hallmark of highly reliable organizations which value employee feedback as a vital component of the journey to achieving zero harm.

When Trenna first discovered that she was nominated as the Speak Up for Safety Award winner, her initial reaction was that she was “just doing her job.” Sandy Shipe, Director of Nursing Operations, commented, “Trenna’s reaction alone says volumes to me about the culture that our Senior Management Team has entrenched in the entire workforce here.”

“Speak Up” awards are presented quarterly by the VHHA Center for Healthcare Excellence, whose focus is on working collaboratively with member hospitals and health systems to enhance health care quality, patient safety, and patient experience. Nominations are solicited from hospitals across Virginia and two award winners are selected each quarter. More than 250 nominations have been received since the program began. As circumstances permit, VHHA representatives travel to present awards to recipients in a small ceremony attended by hospital colleagues and administrators.

Watch the full presentation on the Fauquier Health YouTube Channel: