Registered Nurse Darcy Otto of Aitkin, a Recovery Room Nurse Manager at Cuyuna Regional Medical Center in Crosby, today week received the Mary Lou Houle Nursing Excellence Award. She will be honored at the organization’s annual celebration on May 20.
A CRMC employee the past 12 years, Otto received the award for her countless contributions to the surgery department and the organization overall.
Her award nominators wrote, “Darcy is a fantastic nurse and manager! On top of her busy schedule as manager, she regularly performs patient care by admitting and discharging patients. She does such a nice, thorough job with patients and goes above and beyond to make sure they are cared for in the best possible way. In fact, she often has patients request her by name! It is so evident that she makes a positive impact on her patients and their family members.”
Otto was also cited a great manager who communicates well and works at staff’s sides to see what works well in the department and where there’s areas for improvement. She was noted for showing her appreciation and support in many ways each day and doing extra to make staff feel especially appreciated during Perianesthesia Week. The manager regularly encourages staff to be exceptional and offers additional education opportunities. Otto also actively volunteers for CRMC, her church and a community support group.
A member of CRMC’s staff since 2007, Otto began working in the Obstetrics Department and transferred to Surgery. She previously worked at Fairview, Regions Hospital, Unity, Langton Lake Place and Camillia Rose, and Health Partners before coming to CRMC. She earned her Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Lakewood Community College in White Bear Lake and graduated as a Licensed Practical Nurse from Anoka Vocational Tech. Certified by the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses, she also holds ACLS and BLS certifications.
CRMC established the Mary Lou Houle Nursing Excellence Award in 2010. Houle began her nursing career in 1959 at the original CRMC, Miner’s Hospital, and retired in 2010. She dedicated her career to the patients, families and community of the Cuyuna Range. She was a skilled Registered Nurse working in many areas such as Obstetrics, Surgery, the ER, Medical/Surgical, Staff Development and Leadership. She was renowned for her exceptional patient care and the level of dedication she demonstrated in every patient interaction.