Canandaigua resident Kelly Lush has received the BEE Award from University of Rochester Medicine Thompson Health.
Lush is a patient care technician in the Observation Unit at F.F. Thompson Hospital. A team of hospital representatives, including the chief nursing officer, surprised her with the award in the unit on June 19.
Lush was nominated by nurse Imoleayo Abdul, who cited the support Lush gave to a patient who was anxious after learning she might need an NG tube.
"Kelly cracked jokes, gave the patient hugs, and made her feel seen," Abdul said. "She's going to be an incredible nurse."
Lush graduated in May from the nursing program at Finger Lakes Community College.
Within Thompson, BEE stands for Being Exceptional Every day. The award was created in 2025 to recognize non-licensed nursing support team members.
Nominations can be submitted at http://www.ThompsonHealth.com/BEE.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.