DAISY Award—Shannon James-Bowden, B.S.N., RN

Shannon James-Bowden, B.S.N., RN
OB/GYN clinic

Shannon James-Bowden, B.S.N., RN has been a Registered Nurse for 29 years, 22 of those with UC Davis Health in the OB/GYN clinic. Over these years, Shannon consistently demonstrates extraordinary compassion, courage, and integrity in every situation. Shannon is consistently recognized by her colleagues including MAs, LVNs, RNs, and physicians as a resource and an expert in the variety of specialized care the OB/GYN team provides to patients every day.

Shannon steps in to fill any void to ensure that extraordinary care is always delivered to every patient, every day. During several leaves of absence and with several open positions, Shannon has taken on additional roles as coverage for the Maternal Fetal Medicine/High-risk RN coordinator and Diabetic Resource Nurse. Her knowledge and expertise provide an unrivaled level of support to her RN colleagues, the providers, the patients, and the entire clinic staff. She is an invaluable resource to the OB/GYN team always, and particularly during this time of growth and rebuilding. Shannon shoulders this with compassion and a positive attitude. Shannon is highly dedicated, remaining flexible and dependable for our OB/GYN team.

When asked for a story that illustrates Shannon’s commitment to courageous and compassionate care, her colleagues each paused before stating…gosh, there are so many, and well, she does it with every patient! How can I choose?!?. We finally decided that a very recent example was best.

This particular patient was being followed in the diabetic clinic. She had a young child. She was homeless, living in a shelter, and struggling to take care of herself while balancing navigating life, managing a pregnancy, and taking care of her young child. Wearing one of her many hats as diabetic resource nurse during diabetic clinic, Shannon accompanied the patient down to the pharmacy and sat with her while she waited to pick up her insulin and her other diabetic care supplies. The patient was not feeling well, and Shannon brought her something to eat and drink. Shannon called the patient later that day, and again the next morning, to check in with the patient. During her course of care, this patient struggled to manage her blood sugar levels. Shannon followed up throughout the plan of care, providing her standard of care through expert care coordination. Shannon treats all her patients with fairness and respect. Shannon intuitively champions the principles of relationship-based care, and this fundamental nursing approach leads to improved patient outcomes.

It is our collective honor to nominate and formally recognize Shannon James-Bowden for her extraordinary nursing care.