National Nurses Week starts May 6, and Valley Children’s Healthcare is honored to celebrate all the nurses in our network during a time when the entire country salutes their profession.
To help kick off Nurses Week, we wanted to share the honorees for Valley Children’s Hospital’s 2016 Nursing Excellence awards, featuring our Nurses of the Year, Friend of the Year and Team Excellence award.
Nursing Excellence Award Winners
Nurse of the Year 2016 – Excellence in Leadership
Andrée Soares, BSN, RN, NE-BC
Andrée’s collaborative relationships with administrative and medical staff have led to expanding neonatal care access across the Valley, including three satellite neonatal intensive care units. She strives to provide the best care to fragile infants in the communities in which they are born. Andrée leads with a calm and steady grace and is so knowledgeable about human nature. This enables her staff to work and learn in a very comfortable environment.
Nurse of the Year 2016 – Excellence in Education
Kristina Pasma, BSN, RN, MICN, CEN, CPEN, CPST
Kristina is responsible for coordinating all hospital-based injury prevention events, including coordinating the Safe Kids Coalition’s injury prevention efforts throughout various counties, supporting over 90 community-based projects serving over 40,300 children and families in 2015. She serves as an ambassador for Valley Children’s Hospital to other programs in the Valley. Kristina is an exceptional constituent of the regional pediatric injury prevention culture helping to prevent an untold number of childhood injuries through community education.
Nurse of the Year 2016 – Excellence in Clinical Practice
Brandi Hale, BSN, RN, CPN
Brandi is recognized by the American Pediatric Surgical Association as a “top performing hospital caregiver.” She develops innovative solutions to meet the unique needs of surgical clinic patients, including a bowel management program and establishing evidence-based standards for patients with gastrostomy tubes. She is described as “the clinical heart and soul” and is known as a local expert. Brandi’s creativity shines in developing resources and education for the families of patients on special programs.
Nurse of the Year 2016 – Innovation in Professional Nursing
Christan Rousey, BSN, RN
Christan’s compassion and creativity have positive impacts on nursing. She identifies and shares evidence-based practices within her unit and the organization. She develops innovative educational tools to ensure nurses have what they need to effectively and efficiently deliver high-quality, safe patient care, such as the DKA Pathway Help Sheet. Christan’s diligence in continually educating herself and her peers, questioning and thinking critically helps ensure that patients are receiving the best evidence-based care.
Friend of Nursing 2016
Stephanie Chaney
Stephanie coordinates a variety of clinical education programs related to nursing and plays a large role in helping nursing staff obtain their Life Support Certifications. Her attention to detail and preparation help nurses immensely, creating an environment that supports professional learning and growth. She is always willing to provide assistance with a friendly smile and professional attitude. Stephanie demonstrates the best in customer service.
Team Excellence 2016
Starship Craycroft Unit & Cancer and Blood Diseases Center Nursing Team
“Team Excellence” describes the leadership and collaboration of a multidisciplinary team that greatly affects the quality of care. The efforts of The Starship Craycroft Unit and Cancer and Blood Diseases Center Nursing Team have resulted in decreasing CLABSIs, standardizing care, and providing early intervention for oncology patients at risk of sepsis. This team, composed of inpatient and clinic staff, demonstrates determination, motivation and drive to improve care for oncology patients across the continuum of care.