Sue Dummer R.N. knew that she wanted to be in health care after traveling around with her grandfather on hospital rounds as a child.
Dummer, a transplant nurse and nurse educator at Froedtert Hospital has played an instrumental role in the creation of standards in transplant nursing nationally.
She is a member of the American Board for Transplant Certification (ABTC) as the Continuing Credentials Chair and previously was part of their Certified Clinical Transplant Nurse (CCTN) examination committee.
In addition to her involvement with ABTC, she co-founded the Wisconsin chapter of the International Transplant Nurse Society (ITNS) in 2003.
“ITNS-Wisconsin Chapter (WIITNS) was started because there was no organization solely dedicated to transplant nursing,” said Dummer. The chapter brings together Wisconsin’s three transplant centers including UW-Madison, St Lukes and Froedert’s transplant nursing staff.
“Sue has raised the quality of nursing because ITNS develops and an implements certification program…all of this was done outside the walls of Froedtert,” said Rose Gaskell, director of nursing at Froedtert, who nominated Drummer for a Health Care Hero Award. “Sue is patient-centered. She has done patient education and created a well coordinated program that includes a transplant handbook, DVDs and other multiple prong approaches.”
Dummer began her career at Froedtert in 1982 as a staff nurse in primary care working for the transplant center.
The 7-7 scheduling system, unique to Froedtert, allows Dummer to get to know her patients since most spend an average of 5-6 days in the hospital.
“With a chronic disease you really get to know your patients and their families,” added Dummer. “I’ve had relationships on and off for fifteen years and those strong bonds are good as a nurse. Working so closely you know the needs and wants and you can plan care, it is such a unique relationship.”
Dummer also is a floor RN educator at Froedtert and spends her time creating educational programs for transplant patient education. She has been a vital asset in the creation of a transplant handbook, DVD materials and weekly classes for patients.
“We are rated No. 1 for outcome for kidney survival. Our program is phenomenal,” said Dummer.
She credits the support of Froedtert for her success with her educational involvement.
“We are a magnet hospital and part of that recognition is that leadership supports nursing certifications and re-certifications,” said Dummer.
