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Omaha Magazine

2019 March of Dimes Nurse of the Year

Jan 06, 2020 02:14PM ● By Daisy Hutzell-Rodman

Nursing is one of the largest professions in health care. According to a survey by the Nebraska Center for Nursing, Douglas County has 10,202 registered nurses, or 19 RNs per 1,000 people. These professionals work tirelessly, with more than half of them working over 40 hours per week (9% of those work more than 50 hours per week). They also predominately enjoy their jobs, as 97% of them say they are satisfied and 87% of them would recommend others choose nursing as a career.

On November 14, 2019, the March of Dimes hosted the Nurse of the Year Banquet to thank those vital professionals taking vital signs, and Omaha Magazine proudly sponsored that event. 

Nominations are blinded, then scored by the volunteer committee. Scores were based on credentials, certifications, their proudest outcomes, leadership, professional associations, and achievements. The Nurse of the Year is determined by the nurse with the highest overall score.

Nurse of the Year Committee

 

 

Teresa Hultquist, UNMC-College of Nursing

Chrissy Wilber, Boys Town National Research Hospital

Cindy Mirfield, Methodist Women’s Hospital

Judy Timmons, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Julie Lazure, Nebraska Medicine

Kris Stapp, VNA

Wendy Muir, Bryan Health

Judy Thomas, Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Lisa Strasheim, CHI Health

Melissa Schmaderer, Madonna

Nicole Caswell, Immanuel Medical Center

Sue Nuss, Nebraska Medicine

Susie Ward, Methodist College

Anne Thallas, Methodist

Melanie Tuamoheloa, Nebraska Medicine - Bellevue

Pam Jacobsen, Methodist College


Nurse of the Year

Joanna Smith of CHI Health

Joanna Smith’s heart lies in advocating for women who experience disparity in the health care system. She is fluent in Spanish and often takes extra time to visit with those women who are Spanish- speaking. Smith is passionate about insuring that all patients have an amazing experience. She was able to showcase some of her great work by presenting “Healthcare, Design on a Dime” at last year’s national Becker’s Healthcare Conference in Chicago. She is an avid Disney lover and uses their guest philosophy in designing a patient experience. The linens are folded a certain way, the washcloths are folded into swan shapes, she has a comfort cart and every baby has a hand-knitted Minnie or Mickey hat. Her entire team has this guest philosophy and those outcomes have been seen in great patient experience scores for her unit.


Academic Excellence

Advanced Practice

Advocacy

Kari WadeKari Wade Nebraska Methodist College Theresa DiederichTheresa Diederich Nebraska Medicine March of Dimes, white background (Photo Not Available) Shannon Engler Bryan Health

Clinical Excellence

Evidence Based Practice

Family Choice

Angela VasaAngela Vasa Nebraska Medicine Jennifer BaumertJennifer Baumert CHI Health Lakeside Hospital Stacey SandersStacey Sanders Nebraska Medicine

Leadership

Pediatrics

Pediatrics

Rachelle HeserRachelle Heser CHI Health Lindsay HegermannAnne Thallas Methodist Hospital, Medical Surgical Melissa RenterMelissa Renter Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Rising Star

Tiffany Whitney Tiffany Whitney Nebraska Medicine

Spirit of Nursing Award

Spirit of Nursing Award

Spirit of Nursing Award

Meghan FalkeMeghan Falke Nebraska Medicine Christine WoellChristine Woell Children’s Hospital & Medical Center March of Dimes, white background (Photo not available) Paige HardyNebraska Medicine

Spirit of Nursing Award

Spirit of Nursing Award

Spirit of Nursing Award

Dawn StraubDawn Straub Nebraska Medicine Ellen StuvaEllen Stuva Nebraska Medicine Melissa Paradis Melissa Paradis Children’s Hospital & Medical Center

Spirit of Nursing Award

Spirit of Nursing Award

Amanda Hunnel

Amanda Hunnel

CHI Health Lakeside Hospital

Christy Todd

Christy Todd

CHI Health Immanuel

 

 

Student Nursing Award

Student Nursing Award

Student Nursing Award

Priscilla Petsch

Bryan College of Health Sciences

Jocelyn Ramos

Jocelyn Ramos

Clarkson College

March of Dimes, white background

(Photo Not Available) Olivia Koontz

Creighton University

Student Nursing Award

Student Nursing Award

Student Nursing Award

Michael Griffith

Michael Griffith

Nebraska Methodist College

March of Dimes, white background

(Photo Not Available) Payden Hunke

UNMC College of Nursing Kearney Division

Monica Arens

Monica Arens

UNMC College of Nursing Northern Division

Student Nursing Award

Mallory Woods

Mallory Woods

UNMC College of Nursing Omaha Division

Evvnt Calendar