Making Connections, Building Relationships

Being in an accident inspired Angie Frye to go into nursing

Gerber Memorial’s new nursing director aims to build on tradition of exceptional, compassionate care
 
FREMONT, Mich., Oct. 22, 2020 – Spectrum Health Gerber Memorial’s new director of nursing, Angie Frye, RN, MSN, CNRN began her new role with one big goal: connecting and building relationships with her nursing team and learn about the ways they provide compassionate care to the community.
 
“Nursing is one of the best professions out there,” Frye said. “Nursing allows you to show compassion to patients and families during some of the most difficult times in their lives. It is an honor to be able to have that connection with others and care for them during these times. As Gerber Memorial’s director of nursing, my desire is to partner with the nursing teams as well as the interdisciplinary teams to continue to ensure that we provide exceptional care to our patients and our community.”
 
Frye was most recently nurse manager at a 22-bed unit specializing in stroke and epilepsy at Spectrum Health Hospital Butterworth in Grand Rapids. A Grant resident, Frye received her master’s in nursing from Ferris State University and her bachelor’s in nursing from Grand Valley State University. Frye has been a nurse at Spectrum Health for 18 years.
 
Frye said she hopes to spend the early days and weeks getting to know the Gerber Memorial team. She hopes to learn about different areas for closer collaboration that can further strengthen patient care, empower staff and encourage innovation.
 
“Gerber Memorial and the team here have a great reputation for truly fulfilling the Spectrum Health mission of improving health, inspiring hope and saving lives,” Frye said. “Being with the team for just a couple of days, I can already clearly see that commitment to exceptional care come through.”
 
Frye’s interest in nursing began early in life after she sustained injuries in an accident with her mom, and both were sent to the emergency department. 
 
“My mom wasn’t able to comfort me when we were in the ED due to her injuries, and it was at that time an ER nurse stayed by my side and held my hand as I lay there scared and nervous,” Frye said. “I remember thinking that I wanted to help people just like she helped me. From then on, I always had the mindset and want to be a nurse. The nursing career aligns with my desire to help others in times of need and to show compassion to those around us.”
 
With the COVID-19 pandemic, Frye said she hopes to help Gerber Memorial maintain safe and efficient ways to provide care to the community including use of technology to provide virtual care as able.
“We want to assure the families that we serve they will continue to be able to get the medical and preventative care they need,” Frye said. “Being a family-focused community, we want to do everything we can to ensure people can get care close to home.”
 
Frye and her husband, whom she met while they both worked at Butterworth Hospital, have two sons. The family enjoys camping, going to the beach, card games and watching college football.

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