Over the next few weeks, we’re featuring our 2023 Scott and Nikki Niswonger Servant’s Heart Award winners in Ballad Health News, as well as on Ballad Health social media. The award honors team members, physicians and volunteers who display the heart of a servant by going above and beyond the normal call of duty in helping others at work and in the community, as nominated by their peers.
Click on the video player below to see a brief profile of our next winner, Allison Cordell. And use the link at the bottom of this story to nominate someone for the 2024 Servant’s Heart Award.
Allison Cordell, a nurse in the Holston Valley Medical Center emergency department, is known for her tenderheartedness with her patients, dedication to her work, drive to learn and teach, and willingness to go above and beyond for her team members, patients and community.
It has been said of Allison that she does the work of three nurses. Patients recalling their experiences with her speak of her as though she is a guardian angel, literally saving lives. Others remember her being a peaceful, compassionate, comforting presence amid the turmoil of losing a loved one. One patient tells of her getting on the floor to speak with some children who had just lost their grandmother, bringing herself to their level and talking them through a tough time.
Allison’s team members think just as highly of her as her patients, praising her skills, work ethic and attitude and describing her as “a co-worker anyone would be lucky to have.” She is admired by nurses, techs and physicians alike and is known as the go-to person for all manner of things on her floor. After the first COVID-19 cases were diagnosed in 2020, Allison had food delivered to her department every other Sunday just to boost her team members’ morale and make them feel appreciated and valued – and then continued doing it for several years.
She has held multiple positions within the emergency department throughout her career, including several management positions. As a leader, she is gifted in viewing complex situations from a variety of perspectives.
Allison is constantly seeking out educational opportunities, and with 26 years of experience, she has become a wealth of knowledge. She draws from her experience to make suggestions that benefit not just patient care, but department staffing, finances, patient satisfaction and overall department morale.
Allison truly has the soul of a healer. She is consistently at the top of every scoring matrix within her department and excels at any task that she sets her mind to. She serves on numerous boards and committees within her department. Outside of work, she serves as a substitute nurse for local school systems, and she volunteers with other activities in the schools.
Allison consistently goes above and beyond what is expected of her, never wanting any credit or asking for anything in return. She does everything for her patients and her community, saying she just wants to know they are well taken care of. She is constantly making sacrifices to ensure her patients receive the highest level of care possible, and she inspires the same behavior in those around her.
More about the Servant’s Heart Award
The award was named in honor of Scott and Nikki Niswonger. Scott is a Greeneville businessman and philanthropist who is the chief benefactor of the Niswonger Children’s Hospital in Johnson City, and a member of the Ballad Health board of directors. The Niswongers have a long history of serving others throughout the region, with a strong focus on education highlighted by the creation of The Niswonger Foundation.
Nominate someone!
Do you know someone who has the heart of a servant and deserves recognition for their great work? If so, nominate them for the 2024 Servant’s Heart Award!
