GREENWOOD, Ind. – For most in the field, nursing is far more than a career. It’s a calling that blends professionalism with compassion to care for patients.
Franciscan St. Francis Health recently celebrated its 2011 Excellence in Nursing Award winners, presented annually to registered nurses who have been nominated by their peers for their leadership abilities and exceptional talents. The awards are based on six key magnet components.
Developed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the Magnet Recognition Program recognizes health care organizations for quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice.
“The 2011 Nursing Excellence Awards winners are a true reflection of the excellent talent of the many great nurses at Franciscan St. Francis Health,” said Theresa Weisenbach, R.N., M.B.A., chair of the nursing professional development council. “The six winners of this year’s Excellence Awards are certainly deserving of the awards based on their excellent contributions they give to their specialty areas in nursing but also to nursing at Franciscan St. Francis.”
The 2011 recipients, all registered nurses and board-certified in their specialties are:
• Karla Dewey (exemplary professional practice)
• Debra Hillman (structural empowerment-community leadership/mentor)
• Rhonda Hammond (structural empowerment-preceptor)
• Erin Schoch (new knowledge, innovation and improvement)
• Brenda Wakefield (transformational leader-staff nurse)
• Jo May (transformational leader-management team)
Continuing education is paramount in nursing and Franciscan St. Francis supports this endeavor. Recipients of the 2011 Richard E. Fry Memorial Nursing Scholarships are:
• Helen Stephon (University of Indianapolis)
• Morgan Welsh (University of Indianapolis)
• Kathryn Wenning (University of Indianapolis)
• Tyler Thomas (Marian University)
The scholarships were established in 2000 by Fry’s widow, Michelle Fry Hanson, and the St. Francis Healthcare Foundation. They memorialize the late physician’s dedication to the medical profession, Franciscan St. Francis, and his high regard for the nursing staff.
Fry was chief of vascular surgery at Franciscan St. Francis until his death in 2000.
The goal of the scholarships is to “recruit and retain the best in the nursing profession” at Franciscan St. Francis. Nursing scholarships are awarded each May to Franciscan St. Francis employees who are in good standing and either accepted or enrolled in an accredited nursing program.
The evening also included recognizing DAISY award winners at Franciscan St. Francis. The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses is a national program that honors the compassionate care and clinical excellence that Franciscan St. Francis nurses bring to their patients every day. Winners are:
• Tammy Baldwin
• Charity Basely
• Molly Britt
• David Charles
• Kathy Chesney
• Natalie Davis
• Janie Eason
• Kimberly Eder
• Paula Evenly
• Colleen Fredrick
• Joan Firth
• Amy Gillard
• Nancy Kasogi
• Monica Lee
• Brooke Linville
• Denise Mann
• Teresa Sanford
• Becky Simon
• Jacky Stroud
• Tracy Welsh
• Stephanie Xayamath
