Nurses honored at Wayne Memorial
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on April 24, 2005 2:00 AM
Wayne Memorial Hospital recognized 13 nurses Thursday night during its annual Excellence in Nursing Award banquet.
More than 50 nurses were nominated this year, based on showing concern for others, customer service, fostering teamwork, and striving for clinical and academic excellence.
The sixth annual event was coordinated by the Nursing Advisory Board, made up of staff nurses, nurse managers and nurse educators throughout the hospital.
The board surprised Debra Hernandez, former chief nursing officer, with a special Nurse Excellence award for her contribution and commitment to the hospital. Ms. Hernandez recently accepted a position at another hospital.
"During her tenure, (Ms. Hernandez') leadership and commitment to promoting the profession of nursing has been an inspiration to us all," said her successor, Karen Southard.
Ms. Southard, a registered nurse formerly patient services administration, was also an award recipient .
"An event like this is so important because we want to excellence to be acknowledged and appreciated," she said. "Our nursing staff touches so many lives every day. They make such a difference."
Other recipients were: Vickie Bingham, RN, from clinical resource management; Janet Bradford, nursing assistant, third floor; Alison Cross, RN, third floor; Deborah Frederick, RN, sixth floor; Becky Miller, RN, third floor; Vanessa Murray, LPN, second floor; Michelle Ryals, NAS, second floor; Missy Smiley, RN, ICU; Jennifer Thompson, RN, PACU; Lorie Tilghman, NA, labor and delivery; Pat Wilkerson, RN, patient services administration; and Jacqueline Williams, RN, labor and delivery.
Dennis Sherrod was the keynote speaker for the evening. Considered a state and national leader in nurse recruitment and retention, he co-authored the book "Surviving the Shortage: Creative Strategies for Nurse Recruitment and Retention."