Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center News release
IDAHO FALLS — Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center and HCA Healthcare Awards of Distinction are given annually in recognition for exceptional patient care, commitment to the community and innovative thinking.
The Frist Humanitarian Awards recognize humanitarian spirit and philanthropic work of the late Dr. Thomas Frist, Sr., a founder of HCA Healthcare, EIRMC’s parent company. Each year, EIRMC honors an employee, a physician and a volunteer with this award.
EIRMC’s Excellence in Nursing Awards recognize nursing practice that provides the highest quality of care to patients it serves. There are two categories for this award: Professional Mentoring and Compassionate Care.
Frist Humanitarian Award, Employee:
Cody Andrews, hematology coordinator, laboratory
It is evident to those who work with him that Cody is genuine and cares for those around him. His colleagues say that he is kind and funny, a hard worker and makes an effort to ensure changes benefit patients. Several team members noted that he is an expert in his field, the resource for all things hematology.
Cody is a lifelong hockey player and would enjoy the outdoor rink in Sugar City, where he would chat and play with other adults and youth. He noticed a common theme: the kids couldn’t join a league because the closest league was too far away.
When news of an indoor ice rink coming to Rexburg reached him, Cody and several others started the eight-month-long process of applying with USA Hockey to become the Rexburg Youth Hockey Organization. Cody was nominated to be the league’s first president.
Cody has spent countless volunteer hours to ensure the league was a success, not only as the president of the organization but also as a coach. They just wrapped up their first season, and the kids have had tremendous success as a new team.
But the real success is seeing the development of the kids both on and off the ice. According to Cody, “The players come first.”
He wanted to provide them a place to learn hockey, be part of a community and grow as individuals. Providing a community for kids, where they can feel like they belong, gain confidence in their abilities and be part of something bigger than themselves is worth the effort.
He has built a hockey community that has impacted the whole community and the surrounding areas. Evidence of his success can be seen when hearing his players and families speak of him.
Two of his players wrote: “Cody is a good coach because he can show everyone the drill. Cody helps when we need help. Cody comes as much as he can. Cody is one of the best coaches I have ever had.”
Another said: “Coach Cody is a great coach. He’s the reason I have made so many friends through hockey since I moved here and he brought us all together. He’s a great person on and off the ice. He’s nice to me and all my teammates, but overall he’s a great person no matter where he is, or what mood he’s in, he’s been great to us. Thank you coach Cody.”
The HCA Healthcare mission, "committed to the care and improvement of human life," isn’t something Cody only applies at work; he lives it every day by providing opportunities and improving the lives of kids in the community.
Frist Humanitarian Award, Volunteer:
Stephanie Nielsen
Stephanie is known by many at EIRMC and in the community and loved by all. She has a beautiful smile and sunny disposition that she shares freely with everyone she meets. As a volunteer, Stephanie consistently goes beyond what is expected of her and always shows an unwavering commitment in everything she does. She regularly goes out of her way to help the hospital's patients, visitors and colleagues.
Stephanie makes a positive impact with her willingness to take on any volunteer task or project that is asked of her and is always ready to assist anyone who needs help. Stephanie’s dedication to her volunteer position shows in her willingness to come in early, stay late or fill in for vacant volunteer shifts when there is a need and her schedule allows.
Recently, a need arose in the hospital mailroom for a volunteer to stamp outgoing mail and to sort incoming mail. Without hesitation, Stephanie enthusiastically agreed to fill this need. Her willingness to help in this area has lightened the load of countless colleagues.
One of Stephanie’s fellow volunteers describes her as always willing to help, always smiling and happy, and somebody who people gravitate towards. Another mentioned how Stephanie knows everybody who works at EIRMC and always greets all colleagues by their first name, along with a friendly hello.
Outside of EIRMC, Stephanie worked at Smith’s Food and Drug for 25 years and has been employed at Broulim’s supermarket for the past six years. Stephanie is also the president’s primary helper at her church. In her spare time, Stephanie loves to go to Zumba class and out to lunch with friends. She also enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her nieces and nephews.
Stephanie’s friendliness, dedication and willingness to help those she meets make her a treasure not only to EIRMC, but also to the community.
Frist Humanitarian Award, Physician:
Brett Hiendlmayr, M.D.
Dr. Brett Hiendlmayr, interventional cardiologist, embodies the spirit of this award through his selfless commitment to bringing world-class cardiac care to the rural community, his pioneering work in structural heart disease and his nurturing mentorship of EIRMC staff. He has bridged the gap between rural and metropolitan healthcare. He brings incredible talent and technical skill to the community that matches — and often exceeds — that found in much larger cities and facilities.
As a pioneer of EIRMC's structural heart program, he has brought lifesaving, minimally invasive procedures to patients who previously would have had to travel long distances or go without care entirely. Because of his dedication, the community has access to state-of-the-art cardiovascular care, improving patient outcomes and quality of life immensely.
To achieve this level of expertise, Dr. Hiendlmayr has dedicated over 16 years to his education and medical training. Following his graduation from Ross University School of Medicine in 2010, he completed rigorous training, including a residency at the University of Massachusetts, followed by three distinct fellowships in general cardiology, interventional cardiology, and advanced interventional and structural cardiology. This specialized, intensive training allows him to handle the most complex cases with incredible precision and grace.
Beyond his clinical skills, Dr. Hiendlmayr is a dedicated educator. He actively takes time to teach and instruct both new and seasoned staff in the cath lab. His investment in education creates a high level of competency across the entire team. He fosters a safe atmosphere for staff to learn and grow while simultaneously maintaining the highest safety and patient care standards.
He is the definition of a teacher who raises the bar for everyone around him.
What makes Dr. Hiendlmayr truly remarkable is his humility. Despite his profound impact, he often shies away from being the center of attention, preferring to let his work and his patient outcomes speak for themselves. He is a physician who cares for the whole patient, often performing extraordinary acts of kindness that go unnoticed by many, but are profoundly felt by his patients and their families.
Dr. Brett Hiendlmayr is a true humanitarian, a brilliant clinician, and an unsung hero in the community.
HCA Excellence in Nursing: Professional Mentoring
Heather Barney, registered nurse, intensive care unit
Heather was nominated by a colleague who works beside her. Jenny wrote: "I first encountered Heather Barney while working as a telemetry technician in the ICU. Even then, she stood out as a beacon of clinical intelligence and approachability.
"When the time came for my senior capstone, Heather was the first person I sought out. Her enthusiastic response—'I love students!'—was the first of many times she would demonstrate her deep commitment to the future of our profession.
"Heather’s impact on my career, and the careers of many others, can be defined by three distinct areas of excellence:
"1. Transition to Practice & Clinical Guidance: During my month-long preceptorship, Heather did more than just teach skills; she fostered critical thinking. Over a year later, I still find myself utilizing the 'pearls of wisdom' she shared during those shifts. She has a rare gift for translating complex ICU protocols into manageable, evidence-based practices for a learner.
"2. Empowerment through Mentorship: As my official mentor in the New Nurse Residency program, Heather created a 'psychologically safe' environment that is vital for new graduate retention. She never dismissed a question as trivial and never allowed me to feel inadequate during the steep learning curve of professional nursing. She acted much like a parent steadying a bicycle—she held the seat just long enough for me to find my balance, always ready to catch me if I faltered, but always pushing me toward independence.
"3. Cultivating a Culture of Support: In the high-pressure environment of the ICU, Heather is the 'safe person' we all need. She is the coworker who transforms a challenging shift into a manageable one through her presence alone. I have watched her extend this same nurturing mentorship to countless other nurses, helping to build a more confident, competent, and resilient nursing team.
"Heather Barney embodies the very spirit of the Professional Mentoring award. She does not just practice nursing; she advances the entire profession by investing her heart and expertise into the next generation. She is the gold standard of what a mentor should be."
HCA Excellence in Nursing: Compassionate Care
Sukey Jephson, RN, day surgery
Sukey has been a nurse at EIRMC since 2016 and is one of its skilled pre-op nurses. She exemplifies compassion with her patients at all times. Sukey makes an extra effort to get to know a little something special about her patients and to connect with them so that they feel more comfortable with the pre-op process.
Sukey is an expert in IV starts and is often called on to do someone who is especially difficult. She bonds with her patient pre-op, and then oftentimes when the patient comes back after being in post anesthesia care unit, she will seek them out and make sure that things went well.
Sukey is there at the time of their discharge to wish them well. She is mentioned by name many times when the hospital is calling patients after they have gone home, doing a post op phone call. The fact that the patients remember her by name is a testament to the fact that she is introducing herself and connecting with these patients.
Sukey is also a mentor. She often takes on new nurses for orientation and nursing students for their clinicals. This can be a cumbersome task at times, but she does it with a smile and with her normal humor. Most new nurses to the unit get a good orientation from her and are well prepared to work in the pre-op spot if asked to.
Sukey is very much a team player and often brings in home-baked goods to share with everyone. She interacts frequently with the OR staff and anesthesia staff, and this helps to assure good teamwork and good flow for patients.
Sukey is an excellent nurse, and the hospital is lucky to have her as part of the EIRMC team.