This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

16 Nurses Honored at March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Awards

ATLANTA (Nov. 23, 2013) -- The Georgia Chapter of the March of Dimes, in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia, honored 16 outstanding local nurses at the 2013 Nurse of the Year Awards. 

Through Nurse of the Year Awards, the March of Dimes recognizes nurses who demonstrate exceptional patient care, compassion, and service. Whether serving as a health care provider, educator, researcher, or chapter volunteer/advisor, these nurses have played a critical role in improving the health of Georgia’s residents. 

“The winners of this year’s Nurse of the Year awards are a testament to the caliber of nursing talent that is in our state,” said Sheila Ryan, State Director for the March of Dimes.  “We know that not only the winners, but the nominees and finalists alike, are truly committed to their patients and profession and are all making great strides in their respective fields.” 

Find out what's happening in Smyrna-Viningswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The event, co-chaired by Kim Sharkey, Independent Leadership Consultant, and Linda A. Streit, Dean and Professor, Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University, had over 600 attendees and raised over $160,000, making it one of the top Nurse of the Year events in the country.

Event partners included BlueCross and BlueShield of Georgia, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Northside Hospital, Grady Health System, AmeriHealth Caritas, BDR Partners and McCarthy Building Companies, Inc., and Atlanta Magazine.

Find out what's happening in Smyrna-Viningswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Nurse of the Year Awards are given annually in approximately 16 award categories.  More than 800 nurses were nominated in Georgia and 300 of those were selected as finalists.  Award Recipients were announced at a special awards gala held on Saturday, November 23rd at the Grand Hyatt in Buckhead.  

The 2013 Nurse of the Year Award Recipients in Georgia are:

Academic Education sponsored by Georgia Baptist College of Nursing of Mercer University:  Dr. Patricia Hart, Kennesaw State University

Advanced Practice sponsored by AmeriHealth Caritas:  Mary Zellinger, Emory University Hospital                     

Behavioral Health:  Dr. Angela Amar, Emory Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing

Critical Care sponsored by Grady Health System:  Sue Gammill, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston                    

Emergency and Ambulatory Care sponsored by Emory Healthcare:  Erin Miller, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta                    

General Medical sponsored by Atlanta Medical Center:  Amy Nichols, WellStar Douglas Hospital                     

Hospice, Home Health, Palliative Care and Long Term Acute Care:  Debbie Gunter, Emory University Hospital     

Informatics, Research and Evidence Based Practice sponsored by Sharecare:  Dr. Tami Thomas, Emory Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing  

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit sponsored by Northside Hospital:  Barbara Smith Weaver, International Neonatal Consulting Firm

Nursing Administration sponsored by BDR Partners and McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.:  Dr. Mary Gullatte, Emory University Hospital Midtown

Oncology sponsored by WellStar:  Dr. Roberta Kaplow, Emory University Hospital

Pediatrics sponsored by Kimberly Clark Corporation:  Stephanie Meisner, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston

Public Health sponsored by Emory Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing:  Sheila Vahey, Fulton County Schools

Rising Star sponsored by March of Dimes:  Mylinh Yun, Emory University Hospital

Surgical Services:  Seaton West, Atlanta VA Medical Center

Women’s Health sponsored by BlueCross and BlueShield of Georgia:  Carol Harvey, Northside Hospital            

The award recipients were determined by a distinguished selection committee comprised of health care professionals who screened the nomination forms in a blinded review process.  A complete list of finalists is available on the March of Dimes website at:  marchofdimes.com/Georgia.

About March of Dimes

In 2013, the March of Dimes celebrates its 75th Anniversary and its ongoing work to help babies get a healthy start in life.  Early research led to the Salk and Sabin polio vaccines that all babies still receive.  Other breakthroughs include new treatments for premature infants and children with birth defects.  About 4 million babies are born each year in the United States, and all have benefitted the March of Dimes life saving research and education. 

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.  

###

Contact:  Leigh Tenewitz, 404-720-5306, ltenewitz@marchofdimes.com;         Daniela Medina, 404-720-5323, dmedina@marchofdimes.com 
We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Smyrna-Vinings