WEST PALM BEACH, FL. – May 10, 2010 – Drama and excitement took center stage at the Eighth Annual Nursing Celebration, as Palm Healthcare Foundation announced the winners of the 2010 Nursing Distinction Awards with Academy Award-winning suspense May 8 at The Breakers Palm Beach.
Eight winners in different categories were recognized for their contributions and work serving patients and their community throughout Palm Beach County. The event, which celebrated diversity with a theme of “It’s a Small World,” honored registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, nurse educators, nursing assistants, nursing students, and volunteers.
A committee of 30 selected the eight honorees from nearly 200 nominations submitted by healthcare professionals and patients/families. Winners were chosen on the basis of dedication to excellence in an area of expertise beyond the scope of their jobs, commitment to the profession of nursing, and a sense of community. Steve Weagle, WPTV Chief Meteorologist, the evening’s emcee, had the honor of handing out the awards to the deserving honorees.
“This event is about celebrating heroes,” said Suzette W. Wexner, Palm Healthcare Foundation President and CEO. “Behind every one of our Nursing Distinction Award winners is a story about being a champion to a patient, a family or a co-worker that rises far above the call of duty. We are honored to have the opportunity to recognize their meaningful contributions to their organizations and to our community.”
The 2010 Palm Healthcare Foundation Nursing Distinction Award winners are:
Nurse of the Year – Martha Morales RN, BSN, CCRN, ICU/Telemetry educator at Palms West Hospital (Wellington resident). Ms. Morales also received the Educator of the Year Award.
Registered Nurse of the Year – Eithne A. Kadri RN BSN, critical care staff nurse at St. Mary’s Medical Center (Palm Beach Gardens resident).
Leadership Award – Mary Weeks RN BSN, (retired) Chief Nursing Officer at Glades General Hospital and Lakeside Medical Center (Belle Glade resident). Ms. Weeks was also presented with the Palm Healthcare Foundation Nursing Lifetime Achievement Award, an honor presented only two other times in the award ceremony’s history. Previous award winners were Helen Persson and Christine E. Lynn
.
Nursing Student of the Year – Carolyn Mollo , Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing at Florida Atlantic University and Jupiter Medical Center (Delray Beach resident).
Certified Nursing Assistant of the Year – Mary Stewart, Hospice of Palm Beach County (West Palm Beach resident).
Licensed Practical Nurse of the Year – Gloria Musico, LPN Call Center for Hospice Partners on Call (West Palm Beach resident).
The Extra Mile Award (recognizes a nurse who goes above and beyond to foster professional growth in others) – Judith Miller, instructor and employment counselor at The Academy for Practical Nursing and Health Occupations (West Palm Beach resident).
The Hands and Heart Award (recognizes a nurse who exemplifies compassion and caring in his/her practice of nursing) – Gayle Stevens, community liaison with Vitas Innovative Hospice Care (Delray Beach resident).
Major sponsors for the 2010 Nursing Distinction Awards are Tenet South Florida Hospitals, VITAS Innovative Hospice Care, and The Palm Beach Post.
About Palm Healthcare Foundation, Inc.:
Palm Healthcare Foundation, Inc. was chartered in 2001 as an independent community healthcare foundation. Believing that “Together We Can Do More,” the foundation’s mission is to transform healthcare challenges by bringing together the talents and resources of the community to create innovative solutions that deliver high-impact results. The Foundation’s funding priorities are designed to empower non-profit healthcare organizations and healthcare professionals to create programs and services that improve the quality of life for Palm Beach County’s underserved citizens. Since 2001, the Foundation has distributed nearly $40 million to over 90 non-profit organizations in Palm Beach County. To learn more about Palm Healthcare Foundation, please visit www.palmhealthcare.org <http://www.palmhealthcare.org/> .
