She was honored recently at a UNC Hospital award ceremony.
Dr. Otter is a Clinical Assistant Professor and Wellness Chair in the UNC Department of Emergency Medicine. She started in the UNC ED in 1993 as a volunteer while an undergrad. After medical school and military service, she returned to UNC for residency. After several years at Moses Cone, she returned to UNC to be the first UNC EM nocturnist.
The Friend of Nursing award was established in 2009 as a way to recognize the collaborative relationship between nursing and medical colleagues.
Through a nomination process, physicians and advanced practice providers who are role models for their commitment to caring, and who demonstrate continuing support for nurses and nursing, are identified by the Nursing Retention Committee and nurse leaders.
Excerpt From Dr. Otter’s Award Nomination:
“Dr. Olga Otter is a force to reckon with and such a delight to work with. As one of the Charge Nurses in a busy department, I must say having a provider who is not only effective but approachable and amenable to the ever-changing dynamics means a lot.
Her calm in highly stressful situations is undoubtedly impressive as well as her bedside manner. Dr. Otter supports ideas from the nursing staff to be innovative and creative, in order to best serve the patients who seek care in our ED — in particular when we have to accommodate surges of patients on nights and weekends.
She serves as faculty and mentors residents. Her colleagues have much respect for her, and speak highly of her. As one of the fortunate nurses to work and learn from her, we have a saying that when in doubt, ask, “What Would Dr. Otter Do?”
Thank you, Dr. Otter, for all that you do for your patients and for being a pleasure to work with. Your support never goes unnoticed.”