Harris Regional Hospital is proud to introduce Humans Who Heal, a new campaign created to recognize and celebrate the people who make healing happen every day in every department and at every level of care. While physicians and nurses are often the most visible members of the team, this campaign highlights the full range of healthcare professionals, including clinical coordinators, quality analysts, lab techs, environmental services, and administrative staff. Humans Who Heal shines a light on the passion, dedication, and teamwork that drive safe, compassionate care and reminds us that every role matters.

The series launches with Amanda Stafford, RN, who serves as the Disease Specific Care Coordinator for both Harris Regional and Swain Community Hospitals. Amanda plays a critical role in ensuring quality care and program coordination across multiple specialties, and brings with her a legacy of nursing and a deep passion for improving outcomes through education, awareness, and evidence-based practice.

What is your role at the hospital, and how long have you been here?
My title is RN Disease Specific Care Coordinator, but I serve as a quality analyst, data abstractor, Chest Pain program coordinator, and Stroke program coordinator for both Harris Regional and Swain Community Hospitals. I started here at Harris Regional in 2018 on the medical/surgical unit in direct patient care. I have been in my current role since 2022.

What inspired you to go into healthcare (or your specific role)?
I was raised by a nurse and began volunteering in long-term care facilities very early in my life. In my life, I have had the honor of coming to know many wonderful nurses and mentors, both personally and professionally. I love bedside nursing, but I made the decision to transition into my current role because I have always had a curiosity and interest in knowing the reasoning behind the practices and why we do things in a certain way.

How do you feel your work impacts patients or the community?
Our communities are located in remote areas with limitations on offered services. I attend community events to help spread awareness on heart and brain health, as well as heart attack symptom recognition and early actions. This awareness and education can help people within our area recognize and respond quickly to activate appropriate emergency services.

Here at the hospital, I help oversee the chest pain and stroke programs to ensure that we are delivering the most up-to-date, evidence-based practices and staying compliant with our overseeing organizations. All of this leads to faster recognition and timely diagnostics and treatments, which ultimately lead to better outcomes for our patients.

Can you share a moment or memory that has stuck with you during your time here?
Honestly, I would have to say my very first day off of orientation that I worked on the floor (2N). This was my birthday, but it was so much more amazing for another reason. Many years prior, my mother began her nursing career at Harris Regional on the exact same unit. It solidified that I was beginning my journey as a nurse in her footsteps. Even though our careers have taken two very different pathways, I will always be honored to have begun mine in the same place that she did — and I only hope that in the span of my career, I can touch as many lives as she has.

What does “healing” mean to you — whether physically, emotionally, or in another way?
To me, healing is taking care of all aspects of your holistic health, which includes the needs of both the body and mind as a singular unit. Disruptions or unmet needs in either of these areas can cause a decline in overall health. It is important that healthcare systems support healing on a holistic level.

What’s something people might not know about your role or department?
The Quality Department oversees the overall quality and safety within a hospital. This department may not be in front-line care, but every aspect of our work serves as a bridge between front-line patient care and leadership/regulatory bodies to ensure that the care delivered at our facility meets and exceeds the guidelines and expectations for performance.

Some of the responsibilities include:

• Gathering and evaluating real-time data to identify opportunities for improvement
• Promoting quality care through the development of policies, procedures, and protocols to standardize practices to align with guidelines
• Collaborating with all departments on individual quality improvement projects, with continued monitoring and evaluations for effectiveness
• Promoting a culture of safety and engagement

The Humans Who Heal campaign will continue throughout the year, highlighting team members from across the hospital and showcasing the diverse, dedicated people who help deliver healing every day. Every role has a story, and every story matters.