Nursing Excellence Awards

Ambulatory Nursing Practice

Anna Ellis, BSN, RN | ENT + Head and Neck Surgery

"This candidate is new to the clinic and has shown herself to be a fantastic candidate as she dives into every phone call, project or procedure without hesitation.

She has pride in her work that blows patients away, knowing we're here for their care. She demonstrates excellence in triaging patient calls and providing patient care with outstanding care and professionalism.

This RN has honestly raised my standards for excellence in this field! Their openness and willingness to help makes it so easy to solve problems and has allowed me to answer patient questions and concerns so much faster. I come to work every day feeling like my patients are in strong and safe hands when she is here.

She is a collaborator with outstanding, prompt and thorough patient communication.

She has shown extreme initiative to learn and grow in her role not only through self-directed learning but collaborating with peers.

She consistently goes above and beyond her defined role to pursue excellence in patient care and pursuit of knowledge.

This candidate has the most infectious laugh I've ever heard and her joy fills our clinic. Her love of learning and willingness to try and fail is truly uplifting and inspiring."

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Home Health & Hospice Nursing Practice

Heather Landsberger, MSN, RN | Home Health

"As a new nurse at EvergreenHealth, I've had the privilege of working alongside this nurse, an exemplary mentor and colleague. I am a seasoned nurse with 17 years of experience but new to Home Health and initially it was very intimidating. Despite my years of nursing experience in various departments, I've found her approach to nursing truly exceptional. Her unique blend of qualities includes thoroughness, kindness, compassion, and attention to detail.

Her patient-centered approach extends not only to her interactions with patients but also to her interactions with colleagues, including me. She has created an environment where questions are welcomed, feedback is constructive, and mutual support is paramount.

This nurse embodies excellence in patient care through her exceptional dedication and holistic approach to nursing. Her unwavering patience and attention to detail ensure that each patient receives personalized, comprehensive care. She actively collaborates with other healthcare professionals, leveraging their expertise to optimize patient support and advice.

With every patient, she sits and listens attentively. She addresses the patient's immediate concerns and also fosters a sense of comfort and trust, laying the foundation for effective treatment and healing.

This nurse deserves to win in this category due to her demonstrated excellence in patient care and her significant contributions to leadership, professional development, and evidence-based practice. She serves as a role model for her colleagues, inspiring them to excel in their practice and continuously strives for improvement."

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Inpatient/Hospital Nursing Practice

Jenilee Sears, RN | Family Maternity Center, Labor & Delivery

"This Nurse's contributions extend beyond the bedside, positively impacting our entire team and the quality of care we provide. Their dedication to evidence-based practice is unwavering and they consistently seek out the latest research, stay informed about best practices, and ensure that our patients receive care that is rooted in evidence.

Whether at the bedside or in their role as a charge nurse, this nurse prioritizes what is best for our patients, actively listening to their needs, advocating for their preferences, and ensuring that their voices are heard.

This nurse's long tenure with our organization makes them a valuable resource. Nurses and providers alike turn to them for guidance on clinical practice. Their calm demeanor, quick thinking, and ability to coordinate interdisciplinary efforts contribute to positive outcomes during emergencies. Their leadership during high-stress situations is commendable.

The nurse's commitment extends beyond direct patient care to include participation in shared governance initiatives and unit-based projects, contributing to improvements in our standard of care, documentation practices, and adherence to policies and procedures.

This nurse-self identifies as a pineapple, a bit prickly on the outside but soft and sweet on the inside. What WE see is a person who embodies the qualities of an exemplary nurse. I wholeheartedly endorse their nomination for Nursing Practice Excellence."

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Behavioral Health Award

Maria Amy Aquino, RN, BSN | CVNS Unit

"This RN has a heart of gold and a very strong moral compass to care for others, especially those who have special needs. During 2023, we had a very challenging behavioral health patient in our organization and when this patient came to the CVNS unit, this RN was compassionate and worked with this patient to provide her dignity and caring despite the patient's inability to manage her behaviors.

This RN was able to set limits as well as make the patient feel like she had some barriers. This RN has demonstrated these behaviors and characteristics with many of our behaviorally challenged patients, treating them like the human beings they are and not the mental illness that they are suffering from.

The Carative Factor that this RN displays in her work is compassion. She is compassionate with all of her patients and coworkers and is the supporter for what is right.

This RN's compassion and creativity is well known on the CVNS unit by all of her peers and leadership. She is the person who has demonstrated the beautiful seasonal decorations for the CVNS unit. She also is compassionate about her CVNS team!"

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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award

Maria Devekos, RN | Family Maternity Center, Post Partum

"I would say compassion describes this candidate. Oftentimes she is one of our mentors on the unit.

She is always jumping in to support our nurses with certain challenges that may arise.

Always answering with compassion and respect.

Really ensuring trust while providing education and helping build the confidence that our newer nurses need and thrive on.

This nurse consistently and effectively assesses patients' needs, develops care plans and implements interventions for best patient outcomes. While working alongside her and as leader on call, together we've experienced multiple hypertensive crises. She always stays very calm, always consulting with the patient about how they are feeling, advocating for her patient and addressing concerns.

Overall I've seen her really grow over this past year, taking on a charge nurse role and enrolling in different frontline leadership classes to help build on her skills as a new leader. She always makes the nurses she is working with feel supported while going over all aspects of the procedure with confidence and compassion. She is my choice for this award."

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Nursing Leadership Excellence Award

Tessie Foley, MSN, RN | Women's & Children's Services

The first of her two nominators says:

"This individual came to us during a time when our unit was broken and struggling with morale and unity. She took the time to get to know us as individuals, listened to our needs, and worked with us to create a strong team.

She hired new leadership and together, she and our new leaders transformed our unit. The staff felt the respect, unity and fairness we had been longing for, which I believe led to better patient care and patient experiences.

This individual lives out the core values of EvergreenHealth. She embodies compassion, by caring for us as individuals and not just numbers to fill a staffing grid. She understands that life has up and downs, and she is the biggest advocate to take care of yourself so you can come back refreshed to provide care to others."

Her second nominator says:

"On night shift, we don't often get to see many of our leaders face to face, however she always makes it a priority to arrive prior to shift change and not only takes notes on the concerns brought to her, but follows up and actively tries to solve the problem. Leaders like her make me so glad I decided to work here. I always feel heard when talking to her, and feel like my opinions and ideas are respected. I have so much respect for her and feel blessed to be able to work so closely with her."

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Nursing Mentor Award

Karam Yousef, BSN, RN | Family Maternity Center, Labor & Delivery

"Beginning your nursing profession immediately after graduating school, or even entering a new specialty, can be both exciting and nerve-wracking.

As I explored my new role, I felt reassured by a particular nurse on my unit, and she helped to ease my self-doubt and feelings of uncertainty. I now view this individual as a mentor, and I am not convinced she understands the impact she has had on my nursing career. In fact, her nonjudgmental ear and words of motivation have contributed greatly to my personal and career development.
Burnout and imposter syndrome are two very real issues in the realm of nursing, and I have been a victim of both. In order to address these issues within myself, mentorship has played a key role. It has been an honor to be mentored by someone with so much experience and wisdom.

She has always taken the time to listen to my concerns and essentially provide me with an outlet of expression. On top of that, she made me feel heard and validated.

To the candidate I have nominated— I sincerely thank you for all lessons you have taught me because those secret tips and tricks could not have been learned out of a textbook. I would not be the nurse I am today if it had not been for your influence."

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Nursing Professional Development Award

Heather Gardner, MSN, BSN | Professional Practice & Education Department

"Our unit-based Professional Development Specialist goes above and beyond the educator role and also is an advocate, cheerleader, and leader for the bedside staff and leadership on the unit. She has helped revitalize the unit-specific residency program to go from basic class teachings and unit precepting to one with interactive portions, like simulations, shadowing experiences, and the residents' favorite: coloring!

One example of her mentorship and commitment to organizational excellence: The unit was sadly losing a nurse to another area of the hospital, an outpatient position for which she did not have previous experience. It would have been easy to brush off this nurse, as they were leaving the unit, but before and after the transition, our PDS provided this nurse with education materials and support on ways to be successful in her new role.

This nominee personifies the relationship to self, team, and patient that encompasses the relationship portion of our Professional Practice Model. She frequently collaborates with those around the organization to help ensure our staff deliver quality care and that patients are cared for by competent and critically thinking staff to ensure exceptional outcomes for every patient, every time."

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Rising Star Award

Madison Morgan, BSN, RN | Family Maternity Center, Labor & Delivery

I am thrilled to nominate this nurse as a rising star in our Labor & Delivery team. This nurse's journey from expert to novice has been both challenging and inspiring, and their dedication to patient care shines brightly. Her qualities include the following:

Transitioning with Grace: As a new-to-practice nurse, this nurse faced the daunting task of integrating into our team seamlessly, demonstrating resilience and a willingness to learn.

Eager and Enthusiastic: This nurse arrives at each shift with a contagious enthusiasm. Their bright eyes and bushy-tailed demeanor set a positive tone for the entire unit.

Proficiency in Routine Care: Their attention to detail, empathy, and clinical competence ensure that patients receive safe and compassionate care.

Recognizing Limits and Seeking Support: When faced with complex situations or unfamiliar territory, they escalate appropriately. Their humility and commitment to patient safety are commendable.

Taking Challenging Shifts in Stride: Whether it's a busy night or a high-acuity situation, they remain composed and focused.

Ready to Serve and Support: Charge nurses consistently praise this nurse's willingness to help. Their collaborative spirit contributes to a harmonious work environment.

Promoting Interdisciplinary Collaboration: This nurse actively seeks opportunities to bridge gaps and foster communication that enhances patient care.

In summary, this nurse embodies the qualities of a rising star. We eagerly anticipate witnessing their continued growth and impact on our unit. Super excited to see where she goes!

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Ambulatory Nursing Practice

Ashley Brady-Power, RN | Emergency Department

"I am delighted to nominate this nurse for the Nursing Practice Excellence Award. I have had the privilege of witnessing their unwavering commitment to patient care in the most challenging of environments. This nurse consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that patients receive the highest quality care, even in the face of adversity. They are not only an exceptional nurse, but also a valuable team member who fosters a collaborative and supportive work environment. Although this nurse has not been with the organization for an extended time, they embody the culture and the commitment to our patients, that makes EvergreenHealth Monroe Emergency Department the amazing unit that it is. This nurse is always willing to jump in to help a co-worker, mentor newer staff, and take on leadership duties if needed."

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Inpatient/Hospital Nursing Practice

Jorette Ramirez, BSN, RN | MedSurg Unit

"I'm nominating Jorette for this award because overall she consistently demonstrates very strong clinical skills and knowledge day in and day out. She primarily functions as the PCU RN on NOC shift and as charge, there's not another RN on our unit that I trust more in high stress emergency situations. I've seen firsthand on multiple occasions Jorette walk into a PCU Pt that should be ICU level and she conducts herself in a very calm and professional manner as she jumps into action to stabilize her patients. She's a very valuable and reliable member of our team and is always eager to help out other nurses with anything they need from IV's, to foleys, to toileting and passing meds. She's willing to help with anything anyone needs. She's the kind of nurse that people can truly lean on."

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Behavioral Health Award

Jana Johnson, BSN, RN | Recovery Center

"This nurse shows exceptional compassion and flexibility both while providing care to patients and working with her colleagues. This nurse demonstrates a keen awareness and consideration of the patient's specific needs. When a patient is having a tough time, this nurse is always quick to respond and advocate for the patient. This nurse approaches tough situations with a positive attitude and demonstrates an eagerness to learn and grow. This nurse actively pursues learning opportunities related to behavioral health."

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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award

Kebebush Gebre, BSN, RN | Recovery Center

"This nurse demonstrates a strong understanding of the importance of being sensitive to the varying needs of the individual person. This nurse embraces different styles and ideas from coworkers and patients alike. Many of the patients this nurse has the opportunity to care for have been challenged with complex social and medical problems requiring a high level of patience and resilience." 

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Nursing Leadership Excellence Award

Debbie Tombs, RN | Surgery

"I cannot think of anyone more deserving of the Nursing Leadership Award than Debbie Tombs. Debbie came to EH Monroe with several years of nursing leadership experience but none in the operating room. In her interview she was optimistic about learning something new and confident she could lead the team as she built her skills. Debbie jumped right in on day one and immersed herself in the operations of the department. She very quickly became a highly-functioning circulating nurse. Most nurses can't just walk into an operating room and self-teach how to become a circulator. Even for experienced, new to specialty nurses, this often takes several months. Debbie made it look flawless. She managed to do all of this during Epic go live. She has successfully built an engaged team, something the department has been lacking for a while. She has been instrumental in the growth of volumes and expansion of services in surgery since her arrival. She's found opportunities to decrease costs and increase efficiency within her department. She encourages her employees to work at the tops of their license.

Debbie is a phenomenal leader of the OR, and has helped to change the orientation of the organization. She is smart, organized, and always open-minded. She works with different stakeholders to figure out how we can do more, both integrating the ideas of others, as well as imagining new strategies. The ORs run more efficiently, with higher volume, shorter turnover, and a high degree of safety.

This candidate goes above and beyond to lead their team to success. They are always willing to jump in where they are needed and never sees themselves as above a task. You can often find them jumping in to help transfer a patient, or filling in where needed. They also always make themselves available to staff for questions, conversations, emotional support, and clinical support, including evenings, weekends, etc. I can honestly say I have never had a better manager/supervisor in my career. This candidate truly does it all, and makes us as staff, and our patients, feel so taken care of. They are doing wonderful things to improve our unit and hospital as a whole, and we feel VERY lucky to have this person on our team.

I am honored to nominate this nurse for the Nursing Leadership Excellence award in recognition of exceptional leadership qualities and significant contributions to EvergreenHealth Monroe. This nurse leader consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to excellence, innovation, and professional growth, inspiring those around them to strive for the highest standards of care. Her mentorship of newer leaders goes above and beyond, knocking down the silos of departments and creating a culture of working together for the betterment of patients, staff, and the organization. This nurse is also highly respected for their integrity empathy, and collaborative approach to leadership. They possess a unique ability to bring out the best in their team, fostering a culture of excellence, respect, and continuous learning.

A true leader is someone who works side-by-side with their team, provides positive mentorship and builds their team up through positivity and open communication. Debbie exemplifies all of these qualities on a daily basis. She has helped the surgical team in Monroe grow in their skillset to learn the unique features of how our specialty functions, and how to maximize the OR efficiency (and, therefore, our case load) for the time we have there. She is always positive in how she provides feedback, genuinely wants to hear what other staff have to say and works in a collaborative fashion to achieve group goals. She also deserves recognition for the advocacy she brings to the OR as well. Specifically, she has worked diligently and expeditiously to ensure we have all the equipment, sets, and other supplies we need for the cases we bring to the Monroe OR. We owe so much of our success in the Monroe OR to Debbie and are grateful to work with such an accomplished person."

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Nursing Mentor Award

Tanya Zakrajsek, BSN, RN | Ambulatory Care Unit

"Tanya goes above and beyond not only with her patients but also with their families and her coworkers. She's calm, caring, listens attentively and provides support for all. Her nursing practice excellence paired with an extraordinary kind demeanor are immeasurable.

This person is the kindest and most supportive person I have ever met. I can't help but feel cheerful in their presence. They are optimistic, kind, and inclusive of all their coworkers. They quickly rose to the challenge of charge nurse, surpassing even those with more experience, due to their leadership abilities, dedication, and drive. They mentor and support new staff, and make themselves a resource to all who may have questions or concerns. They are knowledgeable, approachable, and supportive - all the things you could want in a mentor. They quickly befriend everyone they meet, and genuinely care for all people they cross paths with. They are also a worker bee, always finding something to do to help the unit, which also encourages others to put in the same dedication. This person also has exemplary patient care, making patients feel at ease and cared for within minutes of meeting them. This is a person, any nurse of any department or experience, can look up to and strive to be more like.

She strives to approach each new challenge with evidence-based information and training."

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Nursing Professional Development Award

Pennie Whittingham, RN | MedSurg Unit

"This nurse has demonstrated the true definition of leadership. She is amazing with staff, patients and their loved ones. Her bedside manner is exceptional. If I were ever a patient, she's the nurse I would want to care for me. She is caring, understanding and patient. She never hesitates to assist the team wherever needed.

This individual takes our new staff under her wing and guides them through the new employee process making them feel welcome and included."

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Rising Star Award

Christian Simonson, BSN, RN | MedSurg Unit

"This individual has recently obtained their BSN. They are not afraid to ask questions or jump on an opportunity to learn a new procedure.

My nomination has been with us for less than 1 year and has excelled in any challenge we have given him. He comes in each day with a smile on his face and a welcoming personality. He has quickly become a steady and comforting presence for the team. As his manager I cannot say enough about how quickly he has become an excellent nurse and a wonderful teammate."

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