Health Care Hero Ebony Hills: ‘JU believed in me’

Registered nurse Ebony Hills says she’s no hero, but the Jacksonville Business Journal and Hills’ manager at Baptist Health’s Wolfson Children’s Hospital say otherwise.

A 2006 JU nursing graduate who is pursuing a master of science in nursing through the JU-Baptist Medical Center cohort program, Hills was honored at a breakfast ceremony Thursday, Nov. 1 as a Jacksonville Business Journal “Health Care Hero.”

Hills was recognized because of her beyond-the-call-of-duty care for Hayden Chadwell, a prematurely born child in Wolfson’s intensive care unit who suffered a stroke and had other serious complications.

Hills “was the first person we saw when we had to hear the devastating news,” Hayden’s mother, Toni Chadwell, told the Business Journal. “She said, ‘I think it’s time to consider a primary (nurse)’. I didn’t know what that means to have a ‘primary.’ It meant having someone to be your internal advocate for your child.”

Hills cared for Hayden daily until he was discharged with a feeding tube in his stomach.

“His family had to be trained on how to use the tube and the feeding pump,” Hills said. “I made sure to give Toni the encouragement that she needed because I knew that she, along with the support of her husband and family, would provide the best life for Hayden that is possible.”

The Chadwells keep Hills posted on Hayden’s progress.

“Now, Hayden is a thriving 1-year-old. He has many medical complexities, but he still manages to give a smile that melts your heart,” Hills said. “Hayden is a miracle child and I am so honored that I am still able to be a part of his precious life.”

The Business Journal honored 30 health care professionals, including physicians, surgeons, nurses, oncologists and others.

A Jacksonville native and Wolfson High School graduate, Hills said in her acceptance speech that “the real heroes are the patients and families that I care for on a daily basis. I accepted my award in their honor.”

“I enjoy caring for my patients and their families because this is how I give back to my community,” Hills told Wave Weekly. “Being recognized as a healthcare hero confirmed to me that all of my hard work is not in vain, and I am grateful for that.”

Hills, who is a clinical adjunct instructor at Florida State College at Jacksonville, also credited her success in the nursing field to her education and training at Jacksonville University.

“JU believed in me as a student and if it was not for JU, then I would not be where I am today,” she said.

Lisa Lammons, nurse manager at Wolfson, told the Business Journal that Hills “is very much a passionate advocate.”

“She goes above and beyond to be sure that the patients have the resources they need and that the families are well-informed and well-educated,” Lammons said. “She is an excellent teacher and communicator. She is very good at preparing families for taking care of medically complex children.”