More than 100 people gathered at the Henry Strater Theatre in Durango on March 16 to celebrate the 2017 Nightingale Luminary and STAR nursing awards. The Southwestern Colorado Area Health Education Center annual awards and fundraising event shines a light on exceptional nurses from the region.
The fundraiser and silent auction raised more than $1,000 for the Nightingale Community Nursing Scholarship Fund, topping the 2016 event’s proceeds. Two exceptional second-year nursing students, Roger Youngs and Tracey Beanland, of Southwest Colorado Community College, were awarded the nursing scholarships.
“This is a celebration to acknowledge all that they do, and we hope that our fundraiser will encourage more young nursing professionals to strive for excellence in the healthcare profession,” said Executive Director Kathleen McInnis.
Six Nightingale Luminary Nominees from Southwest Colorado were awarded the “Nightingale Luminaries” and will go on to attend the statewide Nightingale award ceremony held in Denver on May 13.
Winners include:
Clinical Practice Advocacy: Susan Caudle, Mercy Hospice, and Jody Lamb, of Southwest Health Systems
Leadership: Nikole Young
Administration, Education, research or non-traditional practice advocacy: Sara Carver, of Southern Rockies Addiction Center Services
Innovation: Amanda Harrison, of Pediatric Partners of the Southwest
Leadership: Terri Schmitt, of Vista Mesa Assisted Living
The Shining STAR Award honors a current or former registered nurse who has more than 10 years of experience, has demonstrated leadership skills and has made an impact on the profession or patients. The Rising Star recognizes a nurse who is working in Southwest Colorado and has 10 or fewer years experience and shows leadership and growth potential.
Registered nurse Bobbi Lock of Montezuma Public Health, received the Shining STAR Nursing award. Nominees included Kim Ackles, Jennifer Beckermeyer, Laura Schiavone, Talonda Sprague, Keith Swindell, Susan Tipton and Kelley Unrein.
Martha Anchando, of Hospice of Montezuma, was awarded the Rising STAR Award. Other Four Corners nurses nominated included Francesca Ferlita, Amy Galyon, Heidi Larrick and Rebecca Wells.
The Nightingale Awards event was founded in 1985 named in honor of Florence Nightingale, a 19th-century nursing pioneer. In May, The Colorado Nursing foundation will honor up to 60 Nightingale Luminaries statewide.
Southwestern Colorado Area Health Education Center focuses on improving access to health care in eight counties – Archuleta, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Montezuma, Ouray, San Juan and San Miguel.
