Safety is the No. 1 priority for this CCH Legend

Veronica Taylor is passionate about keeping CCH patients and employees safe—from diseases, needle sticks, falls, and even when helping out in a disaster, among several other things. This is why she received CCH’s most prestigious award: a Legend.

For those who don't know, CCH defined a Legend as, “those people who have left a permanent impression on our minds because of their deeds and actions. Ongoing demonstration of hard work, compassion, and a reputation for greatness make someone a legend.”

“I was humbled to receive the Legend award. It was an affirmation that I have given back to a great organization by being a resource and teacher to the staff, patients and community,” she says. “CCH has a dynamic learning culture that allows our providers, staff, volunteers to grow every day, while providing quality, and safe, patient care. Being part of that culture and part of that quality of care has been a blessing, and a gift.”

Veronica has two degrees from the University of Wyoming: a Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing, which she earned in 1975, and a Master’s of Science with an emphasis in Community Health Nursing and Nursing Education that she earned in 1990. She is also certified in Infection Prevention and Control from the National Certification Board of Infection Control and Epidemiology, which she earned in 2013. She has been a nurse since 1975, and CCH has been fortunate enough to have her as an employee since 1991.

For nearly 44 years, Veronica has been a nurse; and healthcare, for her, was a natural fit.

“I helped to take care of my step mother after she had a severe back injury from a car accident when I was in junior high. And, a favorite aunt of mine was a nurse, and she encouraged me to go into nursing as did an English teacher, who helped me to be accepted into a BSN program and receive funding through a federal grant program,” she says. “Health care just seemed right for me. I have never regretted the choice.”

Veronica began at CCH as a clinical nurse specialist in the Education department, and was promptly promoted to the manager. “I worked in that position for six years and also was the manager for employee health, case management, utilization review, library and risk management,” she says. She also worked as a House Supervisor (both PRN, and full time) before she began training for the Infection Preventionist position in 2007. “I became the Manager of Professional Development in 2009 and the Director of Infection Prevention, Professional Development, and Disaster Preparedness in 2012,” she says.

Veronica calls the team of people she manages and works with an amazing group. “They provide excellence every day, all the time. I want to thank them for all they do and I want them to know what a fun group of giving people they are,” she says.

As the director of Professional Development, Infection Prevention, and Disaster Preparedness (Emergency Preparedness), Veronica stays busy. In her nomination form, her team wrote: “In her role as Director, she is committed to Excellence Every Day as witnessed in the organization’s low rate of infections. She also works very closely with local, regional and state emergency preparedness agencies to ensure the health and safety of all Campbell County residents. She was instrumental in implementing our Region 1 Healthcare Coalition, which is a new concept in emergency preparedness planning that coordinates regional partners for a wider, more integrated approach to disaster resource management.”

But, that’s not all Veronica does: her role in Professional Development is to oversee the employee Tuition Assistance Program, which means that she always encourages staff to pursue their career goals and offers advice on how to succeed.

Veronica has also given herself through community service to the Wyoming State Board of Nursing, Wyoming Nurses Leadership Institute, Wyoming Nurses Association, and the Wyoming Infection Prevention Advisory Group. She was a founding member of the Wyoming Center for Nursing. She also serves on the Gillette College Advisory Board, the Higher Education Task Force, “Friends of Nursing” for Faye W. Whitney School of Nursing, a former board member of the Campbell County Healthcare Foundation, and attends committees for the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce.

“Every opportunity that I have participated in both nationally, statewide, and locally has provided me with personal growth, and I believe made me a resource for CCH as well,” says Veronica. “CCH has provided me so many opportunities to grow and learn. I have always been encouraged to take career opportunities and become a leader in healthcare.”

Other than working, one of Veronica’s very favorite things to do is travel and go on vacation with her family—she also enjoys wine tastings, and reading novels. “I love the ocean and the mountains,” she says. Veronica has three adult children all married and successful in what they do. She also has five grandchildren, ages 4 to 12 years old. “I spend a lot of time going to their activities such as choir and plays, gymnastics, wrestling, dance and baseball,” she says.

For Veronica, providing excellence every day is doing the right thing, at the right time, always. “It is providing excellent service to all employees at CCH and the community. It is being an outstanding employee for CCH, and caring about the organization. I am proud to be a part of CCH and represent CCH every day both at work and in the community. Excellence every day is the people who work at CCH and want to do the best they can every day for our patients and residents. I work for a great organization,” she says.

Thank you, Veronica for all that you do for our employees, patients, residents, and community members. You are truly a Legend. Congratulations.