Emanuel Medical Center is honoring its nurses during National Nurses Week, an annual celebration that recognizes the critical role nurses perform in the hospital and community.
National Nurses Week (May 6-12) is celebrated annually to coincide with the birthday of Florence Nightingale — the founder of modern nursing — on May 12.
Like Nightingale, the nurses at Emanuel Medical Center represent a profession of advocacy and strength and are respected for their devotion to their patients.
“We are grateful to all of our nurses and deeply appreciate their hard work and dedication,” said Kathy Van Meter, Chief Nursing Officer at Emanuel Medical Center. “Nursing is one of the most rewarding careers, but also one of the most challenging. This week is about paying tribute to nurses and the incredible impact they have on our patients every day.”
Nurses have many roles within the hospital: staff nurse, nursing leader, educator, infection preventionist, nurse practitioner and more.
EMC celebrated its nurses May 1-5 with specially themed days throughout the week in honor of Nurses Week. In addition, nursing leaders presented this year’s Nursing Excellence Awards. There were more than 100 nominations submitted. The award recipients are as follows:
Nurse Leader of the Year: Brooke Gray, RN, Surgical Floor and Medical Floor — Creates an environment of trust, compassion, mutual respect and ethical behavior. Possesses a desire to advance and progress professionally, acts as a resource and model for other nurses.
Nurses as Leaders Award: Katrina Mayer, BSN, Surgical Floor — Serves a leadership role by advancing nursing practice clinically, professionally and educationally. Uses evidence-based practices at bedside and shares knowledge with colleagues. Demonstrates leadership towards excellence. Nurses as Teachers Award: Melissa Carmo, BSN, Surgical Floor — Demonstrates examples of mentoring activities for clinical and leadership roles. Demonstrates examples of community education endeavors, and examples of professional development by the nurse, and enhances teaching expertise.
New Grad of the Year: Anthony Hernandez, BSN, Emergency Department — Demonstrates examples of eagerness to learn, improvement in time management and critical thinking. Demonstrates a positive attitude, team player and patient advocate.
Image of Nursing Award: Martha Delreal, BSN, Surgical Floor — Demonstrates examples of good relationships between nursing and other Emanuel departments, physicians and colleagues. Exemplifies how nurses have a positive impact on the image of nursing within Emanuel and the community.
“Receiving this award means so much to me,” said Carmo. “I love orienting new RNs and teach students as they work alongside me. Nursing is a tough but rewarding career, and it’s nice to be recognized by your fellow coworkers. I alway say we have the best team!”
