Vital News
06 May 2023
Honoring Our Nurses During National Nurses Week 2023
Nurses play a vital role in our healthcare system, including Vitalant’s blood collection processes. These team members ensure the safety and care of our donors and, ultimately, patients in need.
National Nurses Week from May 6-12 celebrates those continuing to live the legacy of Florence Nightingale, the mother of modern nursing whose sanitary care efforts reduced Crimean War death rates from 42% to 2%.
We’re proud of all the nurses belonging to the Vitalant family and serving our hospital partners. Among them are:
Marlana Burton, donor care supervisor
Marlana joined Vitalant in 2011 through a nursing residency program at her local donation center. The last remaining member of the program, she assists staff at the largest donation center in Sacramento. Her responsibilities include assessing training, monitoring facility issues, coaching and developing team members and providing leadership to help meet goals.
She also acts as a voice for frontline staff and suggests improvements to practices and issues concerning staff at her donation center.
“I love leading the team at our regional flagship donation center,” Marlana said. “It’s often the first stop for people who want to see a blood bank and learn about what we do. I take pride in showcasing our fantastic staff and the special services we provide for our community.”
Shawn Hassman, donor care manager
Shawn will celebrate her 33rd anniversary with Vitalant later this month, marking another milestone for her incredible career. In her role, she works closely with Recruitment, Planning and Scheduling, Hospital Services, Training and Facilities to ensure donors and employees have a positive experience.
As a registered nurse, she also prepares granulocyte (a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection) donors by providing the necessary medical stimulation needed to collect sufficient levels of granulocytes for patients with low white blood cell counts facing a severe infection.
Shawn said the best part of working for Vitalant is her team. “I could not do what I do every day if it were not for this group of amazing people who carry out our mission every day.”
Andrea Auguillard, clinical apheresis nurse
A relative newcomer, Andrea’s Vitalant journey started in May 2022, making this month her one-year anniversary. In her role, she collects blood from cancer patients that is then infused with a highly innovative medicine and then transfused back into the patient as a type of immunotherapy.
The best part of working for Vitalant? “I get the chance to help save lives every day. I couldn’t be more proud.”
Interested in a career as a nurse at Vitalant? View opportunities to join our team at vitalant.org/careers.
By Adam Testa, strategic communications manager, Vitalant