1. To whom it may concern,
My name is Dan Bourque and I am a nurse at a large medical center in the metropolitan
Phoenix, Arizona are, specifically in Scottsdale, AZ. Recently, this hospital system, consisting of
five hospitals, multiple surgery centers and doctor’s offices, switched to one, consistent
electronic medical record, EPIC. It was decided to convert to EPIC all at one, in all locations.
Sixteen hours of instruction was given to the staff by credentialed trainers with the help of
“super-users” to be at the elbow support for when the system went go-live. I was one of these
super users.
In addition to the certified trainer’s and super-users, representative from EPIC were available as
were specialists froma third party group known as Divergent. It is about one of the
representatives from Divergent I wish to inform you about.
Karen Byrd M.Ed was the divergent trainer assigned to our medical floor to assist with the go-
live and be available as a resource for the staff, supper-users and physicians. I would like to say
that our unit was very fortunate to have Karen on our floor. The switch to an all new electronic
medical record generated a lot of anxiety and fear thought the hospital. I can say that
throughout the first three weeks, Karen was a calming and very well educated expert who
deftly guided us though this massive transition.
Karen’s experience as an educator, along with her expertise with electronic medical records,
was evident from day one. Always professional, relaxed and knowledgeable, she guided many
of us through. It is obvious that Karen takes great pride in what she does, utilizes her education
and experience in a productive manner and always was ready with an answer and a smile,
helping to put us at ease. To a person, the nurses on our unit felt lucky to have Karen as our
guide. Nurses on other units who floated to our floor recognized our units good fortune in
having Karen to support us.
It was an honor to work with Karen, she represented herself and the company she works for
like the professional she is.
Dan Bourque RN, BSN
danbourque@mac.com