Nursing staffers earn awards for their work
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on November 16, 2010 1:46 PM
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Wayne Memorial nursing staff members from left, Jodie Daugherty, Carol Taylor, Cindy McPhail, Michelle Hill, Kim Muntz, Denise Bruce and Marcus King were honored Monday for their work. Absent was Carol Davis.
Wayne Memorial Hospital celebrated the dedication and professionalism of its nursing staff Monday night, presenting eight with the Nurse of Excellence awards.
The annual recognition, started in 1999, acknowledges the role of nurses, nursing assistants, technicians and surgical staff, said Sherry Rogers, director of staff development.
This year, 22 nominations were received and the field narrowed to eight recipients. Nominees received a certificate, while the honorees earned acrylic "flame" awards.
Hospital President William Paugh spoke about the altruism it takes to be an exemplary nurse.
"It's that piece that drives you in terms of what needs to be done," he said. "It's wonderful that we have got so many folks associated with this organization that still feel that spark.
"We're honoring eight folks tonight but it's the citizens of this community that really get the benefit of the kind of care that you folks provide and are so dedicated to make that happen."
Shirley Harkey, vice president of patient services, said the honorees will also have their names submitted for consideration in the Great 100 Nurses of North Carolina competition.
"This is a groundswell if you will, to identify our best and brightest so that we can put them among the best and brightest of the state so that we can keep Wayne Memorial on the map and on the hearts of everyone in eastern North Carolina," she said.
Recipients of the hospital award include:
* Denise Bruce, an RN and director of nursing operations in the emergency department, has been a nurse for 34 years, three at Wayne Memorial. She currently participates on several teams at the hospital, including medication management and the pain management clinical team, and has been praised for her leadership and organizational skills.
* Carol Davis, a technician and nursing assistant in endoscopy, has 17 years experience, 12 at Wayne Memorial. Certified in the Society of Gastroenterology Nursing Assistant Associates, she has presented in-services to staff and, according to a nominator, "is an amazing person with a can-do attitude."
* Jodie Daugherty, an RN on the sixth floor, has been at Wayne Memorial since becoming a nurse two years ago. She was nominated for her leadership skills while in charge of her unit and has been recognized by co-workers for being a valued member of the team.
* Michelle Hill, in the intensive care unit, became a registered nurse three years ago after starting at the hospital four years before that. A wound care educator, she is credited with making "sound judgment calls" and being a respected charge nurse.
* Marcus King, a nursing assistant on the second floor, came to Wayne Memorial one year ago after being a nursing assistant at Cherry Hospital for 14 years. His military background is reflected in the care he gives on the job, one nominator said -- "One of his soap boxes -- It is not about me or you, it's about the patient."
* Cindy McPhail, an RN and clinical supervisor in ICU, she has been at Wayne Memorial for 11 years, eight as a nurse. Involved in nursing policy and procedure, one nominator said Ms. McPhail's organizational skills "keep the unit running like a fine-oiled machine" and that she creates a harmonious work environment.
* Kim Muntz, an RN in dialysis with 17 years experience, four at Wayne Memorial. Known for greeting her patients with care and compassion, she was described as being dependable and "doing what she promises, without delay or excuses."
* Carol Taylor, an RN and clinical supervisor in ICU, has spent three of her eight years in nursing at Wayne Memorial. She serves in dual roles, as a nurse and in a supervisory capacity. Her nominator said she is not only caring and compassionate, but a mentor who works alongside her staff.