Creator Of The ‘Bobbie Bounce’: Nursing Honor Guard Pays Tribute To Roberta South
Ohio’s Hospice Nursing Honor Guard recently celebrated Roberta “Bobbie” South with a tribute that recognized her years of dedicated service to the nursing profession.
Dressed in traditional and historical uniforms comprised of a blue and red cape, white dress and cap, the Guard recognized South for her remarkable career and the discovery of a valuable technique to help nurses, called the “Bobbie Bounce.”
The tribute was given by Honor Guard members, Tammy Webb, a Crisis Care LPN and Team Leader, Robin Timpe.
“Nursing is giving of oneself to enhance the lives of others. We join today to honor Bobbie for her commitment to caring,” they stated. “We want to formally acknowledge her many years of service as a nurse and to note that her accomplishments are measured in the lives she affected through dedication and perseverance.”
Driven by her desire to advance her career and provide the best for her family, South worked at Kettering Medical Center for six years in the General Intensive Care Unit (GICU) before transferring to Sycamore Hospital in 1972, until her retirement in 1994.
Her skill, professionalism, and unwavering dedication to her patients earned her the respect and admiration of all who worked alongside her.
They added, South will be remembered not just for the amazing nurse she was, but for the loving, strong and dedicated mother and grandmother who gave so much of herself for the well-being of her cherished family. Her faith and devotion to her loved ones were the cornerstones of her life.
According to the Honor Guard tribute, “As a mother to six children, Bobbie showed remarkable strength and dedication. She worked full-time night shifts while attending school to further her career, always putting her family’s needs first.”
South’s daughter, Flavia, and daughter-in-law, Rose, followed in her footsteps. Flavia serves in the same unit as her mother.
During her interview for the position, Flavia was told about the “Bobbie Bounce,” a technique learned from an extraordinary nurse – Bobbie.
The “Bobbie Bounce” is a method of pulling up patients in bed swiftly and painlessly to ease the stress for both patient and caregiver.
The interviewer praised her mother’s incredible impact, not realizing that he was speaking directly to her daughter. This moment deeply reflected South’s reputation for excellence.
After retiring, South poured her heart into spending quality time with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, creating memories that will live on in their hearts forever.
Since its kickoff during National Nurses Week in 2016, the Nursing Honor Guard has performed more than 200 tributes at the bedside of nurses who are in our care.
