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The 2024 Nursing Excellence Awards ceremony drew record attendance once again, this time at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel in Charlottesville, Virginia on May 8.

"What might seem like small gestures of kindness to us — or what I hear often is, 'I’m just doing my job' — can have a lifetime impact on the patients and their families we care for," says Nursing Professional Governance Organization President Amy Jordan, BSN, RN, PMGT-BC. "This room is filled with dedicated and compassionate clinicians who embody our ASPIRE values of accountability, stewardship, professionalism, integrity, respect, and equity."

"Your impact on patient care is seen by those you work alongside and is inspiring to everyone," says NPGO President-Elect Danita Massie, MSN, RN, CNL.

UVA Health University Medical Center Chief Nursing Officer Kathy Baker, PhD, RN, NE-BC, also lauded the nominees: "Through their continuous focus, commitment, and grit, they achieved what they set out to accomplish, and we are here to celebrate with them tonight! Our team of nurses is not only working hard to reach our goals, but also constantly reinventing ourselves to become an even stronger nursing organization."

The Eloise Dodge Gould Pediatric Nursing Education Award was presented by Eloise's mother, Anne Gould, and Associate Chief Nursing Officer Karin Skeen, PhD, RN, NEA-BC.

ACNO Veronica Brill, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, presented two Friends of Nursing Awards. UVA School of Nursing Dean Marianne Baernholdt, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN, presented three UVA School of Nursing Awards.

Nita Riegle presented the Thomas Buckley Memorial Endowment in memory of her late husband.

The recipients' names below are followed by excerpts from their stellar nominations:

• Beginning Practitioner of the Year: Sorae Lee, Infusion Procedural Center | "I can't express how proud I am of Sorae. She was a diamond in the rough. She is one of the best nurses for our patients. ITime and time, she proved to me that she was just where she needed to be. She is a true oncology nurse."
• Excellence in Advanced Practice Nursing: Susan Ketcham, Perioperative Services | "Her commitment to the safe, excellent care of patients is evident in her tireless efforts to serve as a resource, liaison, and patient advocate in countless arenas across UVA Health, even those not directly linked to Periop. The value of her work is immeasurable and makes her a most deserving provider for recognition."
• Excellence in Knowledge Development and Expansion: Elizabeth Carpenter, PCC Family Medicine | "Remarkable accomplishments! Elizabeth consistently demonstrates an outstanding commitment to promoting evidence-based practice, knowledge sharing, and improving patient outcomes, particularly for our refugee population."
• Excellence in Relationship-Based Caring: Tiffany Painter, Offsite Anesthesia | "Tiffany comes to work each day with the intention of making sure our pediatric patients receive the best care possible. She also makes all of us work at a higher level each day!"
• Exemplary Clinical Practice I Lauren Brill, Medical Emergency Team | "Lauren is an invaluable asset to our team! She demonstrates exemplary clinical practice every shift she works."
• Licensed Practical Nurse of the Year I Amanda Woods, Zion Crossroads Primary and Specialty Care | "Mandy demonstrates her clinical knowledge daily. She processes prior authorizations well into the double digits with clinical knowledge of the use, efficacy, and rules surrounding the medications from each of these specialties. She puts patient care and advocacy first in all of her decisions in clinic."
• Nurse of Distinction I Christopher Kremer, OPSC Pre/Post | "Chris epitomizes the qualities of a great mentor and leader. His dedication to nursing, patients, and families is continuously inspiring. He embodies integrity, honesty, positivity, empathy, and respect, and sets a constant example for others to strive toward."
• Preceptor of the Year I Jessica White, Emergency Department | "Jessica is one of the most intelligent and incredible nurses I have ever had the privilege of working with! Her passion and love of nursing are obvious and contagious. She is a natural leader and teacher and loves to share what she knows."    
• Transformational Leader I Ryan Thomas, Surgical Trauma ICU | "I truly believe that the program would not be where it is today without Ryan’s leadership, guidance, and contributions. He had a vision that he saw through to fruition. He has the right combination of strategic vision, technical knowledge, ability to lead from the middle, and practical project management skills." 

In addition, the following honors were also presented during the off-site event:

• Exemplary Resident/Fellow Physician: Patrick Stafford, MD, Cardiology
• Excellence in Interprofessional Collaboration: Elizabeth Ko, Specialty Pharmacy
• Eloise Dodge Gould Award: Lorie Nouwairi, Children’s Ambulatory Operations 
• Thomas Buckley Memorial Endowment: Gabrielle Miller, Newborn ICU
• Friend of Nursing (Physician): Gregory Madden, MD, Infectious Diseases
• Friend of Nursing (Non-physician): Kate Joshua, Health Sciences Library 
• SON Outstanding Preceptor (APRN): Beth Jaeger-Landis, Geriatrics and Palliative Care
• SON Outstanding Preceptor (CNL): Gabriella Baker, Newborn ICU 
• SON Outstanding Preceptor (BSN): Crystal Brewer, Surgical Trauma ICU

See the full list of nominees.

Special guest speakers Dana Henry, UVA Health Assistant Dietetic Internship Director and Prenatal Dietitian, and her husband, Logan Henry, Cardiac Device Nurse, delivered emotional presentations about her own healthcare journey. Dana survived breast cancer during her pregnancy with their younger daughter, Emery. The couple lauded the support they received from Logan’s mom, Sandra Henry, an OB/GYN nurse at UVA Health for more than 40 years, and many UVA Health team members. “I appreciated the individualized care that I received,” Dana says. “When things didn’t go as planned, the medical team had to pivot along the way. They always developed the best care plan for me, as well as for Emery.”

See the photo gallery: