Energized and Inspired to Achieve Excellence

The Pulse | Monday, November 26, 2018

An Interview with Midolie Loyola, MSN RN CGRN, 2018 SGNA Gabriele Schindler Clinical Excellence Award Recipient

Within your SGNA regional society, or even your hospital unit, you likely know of at least one person who is looked to as a trusted leader. They are the steady hum of the organization, committed to safe practices and providing the best patient care possible. Their dedication sets a high bar for excellence and serves as a role model for others’ to follow and succeed. For the Southern California SGNA, this person was Midolie Loyola, MSN RN CGRN, who was also named the 2018 SGNA Gabriele Schindler Clinical Excellence Award Recipient.

We spoke with Midolie to learn more about her involvement with SGNA, what drives her to be the person she is today and her advice for others looking to nominate colleagues for this award. Know someone like Midolie who should be honored? SGNA award nominations are due Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Learn more here.

How did you first get involved with SGNA?

I began my involvement with SGNA at the regional level in 2003, having been invited by a certified nurse on my unit. I joined the Southern California SGNA (SCSGNA) Board in 2006 and served as secretary, newsletter editor, president-elect, president, past president and web coordinator.

In 2010, when I was president-elect, I started our SCSGNA website and have maintained the site ever since. I initiated surveys for annual Board elections, set up our region for online registration/payment and, this year, implemented online post-conference evaluations and continuing education (CE) certificates. I was briefly involved with ABCGN, and served on SGNA’s web committee.

My most cherished involvement on the national level is being part of the Practice Committee. It is an awe-inspiring duty to be able to work with brilliant practitioners, define current GI nursing practice, and shape the future.

What drives to you be so engaged with SGNA, and how has it helped your professional development? What drives me to be so engaged with SGNA is the opportunity to work with enthusiastic people who love GI nursing and want to make a difference. The people on the SCSGNA Board of Directors helped me grow over the years into the professional nurse I wanted to be. They are expert clinicians and leaders in their own right. I always come away inspired and energized to do more when I am around people who see GI nursing as more than a job.

I always come away inspired and energized to do more when I am around people who see GI nursing as more than a job.

What does receiving this award mean to you?

This award is the highest achievement one can hope to attain in professional GI nursing, recognizing commitment to service and excellence. It is an award I share with all those who’ve helped me be the nurse I am today. You cannot attain this award without the mentoring, support and encouragement from those you respect and work with.

What are some of the values you hold that you believe led you to this award of excellence?

I firmly believe three values were key for me:

Faith: learning to serve and give without cost
Family: striving for excellence with integrity
Friends: support, encouragement and finding joy and purpose in the work we do together

What is your advice to SGNA members who might want to nominate their colleague for this award? There are individuals out there who consistently give their best at work or in your regional society. The volunteers who strive to make the whole group look good are often the ones who do it tirelessly. You don’t have to be a rock star, but look for the person who genuinely cares enough to make a positive difference. It goes without saying that that person should really love GI nursing and participate in lifelong learning.

Anything else you'd like to add?

Get involved! It is so easy to do and opens many doors to opportunities you cannot imagine. For me, all of my experiences—including the award—were never “planned.” These were opportunities I was blessed to find myself in. Getting involved gives meaning to the work you do each day, and provides a sense of purpose for your professional career. You have to understand the commitment and dedication involved; if you are serious about wanting to make a difference, you will never regret becoming a volunteer!

Learn more about Midolie’s achievements in this video, shown at the SGNA 45th Annual Course awards ceremony.

Interested in nominating someone for a 2019 SGNA Award? Nominations are due Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. Learn more here.