Each year during Nurse’s Week, we pause nationally to celebrate nurses and their contributions to our patients and profession. The World Health Organization declared 2020 the International Year of the Nurse and Midwife, which draws attention to the important role of nurses in advancing patient care and improving outcomes.
To celebrate National Nurses Week from May 6 to 12, Texas Children’s Nursing Retention Council has taken great pride in developing plans to ensure that our more than 3,700 nurses from across the system know how deeply valued they are and how much we appreciate them for their hard work, dedication and sacrifice especially during these challenging times.
“Given the current COVID-19 situation, we organized our Nurses Week activities differently this year to ensure we follow social distancing guidelines to keep everyone safe,” said Tarra Kerr, director of Nursing for the Emergency Center at Texas Children’s Medical Center Campus. “While our current situation won’t allow us to physically gather in large groups, we have developed a series of celebrations at the unit level as well as several virtual activities centered on health and well-being to remind our nurses how important it is to take care of themselves so they can provide the best care to their patients.”
The Nursing Retention Council partnered with The Employee Well-Being team and our chaplains to create virtual support during this unprecedented time. Click here to view a flyer highlighting virtual activities – self-care sessions and blessing of the hands – that will be offered multiple times during Nurses Week.
2020 Nursing Excellence Awards
To kick off Nurses Week from May 6 to May 12, Texas Children’s recognized our 2020 Nursing Excellence Award honorees for their commitment to improving nursing care and patient outcomes. Since a formal ceremony could not be held this year due to COVID-19, leaders hosted their own recognition celebrations on their units.
Congratulations to this year’s Nursing Excellence award recipients. Excerpts from their nominations are included below.
- Staff Nurse of the Year: Julie LaSalle (Staff Nurse, CICU)
“Julie is one of the smartest, most compassionate individuals I have ever met. It is no exaggeration to say that she is universally adored and respected by all disciplines who work in the CICU. Julie listens to her staff when she charges and is eager to jump in and help in any situation; whether it is resolving issues with an upset family, helping out in a code situation, or even just holding an upset baby. Many registered nurses on the unit refer to Julie as “The Mama Charge Nurse.” She is tender and kind, but also direct and stern when need be.” - Nurse Preceptor of the Year: Jan Neuhoff (Staff Nurse, IRU)
“Jan exemplifies the definition of a dedicated preceptor…Jan devotes herself to her orientees to ensure they have a true understanding of not only nursing at Texas Children’s but what a rehabilitation nurse is…Jan is a true gem and asset to the IRU.” A former orientee had this to say about Jan: “She gave me the confidence I needed to become an efficient rehab nurse once I got off orientation. She always made sure that I understood the rationale behind the nursing skills that I needed to learn…When I felt unsure, she was always there, assuring me that she would be there to guide me…She is an awesome nurse!” - Nurse Resident of the Year: Kaitlyn Pawelek (Staff Nurse 1st Year, NICU 2)
“Kaitlyn is a very fast learner, who pays great attention to detail. She is very compassionate and tender with her patients but is very quick to think and is prompt in action in times of crisis… Her clinical judgement and time management skills are impeccable. She is incredibly quick and retains what she has learned enthusiastically, always keeping the patient’s safety and best interest at the forefront… Some of her other great assets include her patience and communication skills. Kaitlyn is a great advocate for her patients who are unable to speak for themselves as they are infants. She consistently strives to provide the best care for her tiny patients…Her positive attitude, passion for working with newborns and their families, the ability to thrive in the high-pressure, fast-paced environment of the NICU….and the ability to be a team player makes her stand out among the other GNs.” - Nurse Leader of the Year: April Lyle (Patient Care Manager, BMT)
“April’s diligence, perseverance in challenging times, professionalism, passion and smile are some of her qualities that I admire. She will ensure a project or task is completed to its fullest before submitting, she remains steadfast and loyal throughout changes and she never gives up – she always sees any challenge through to resolution. Her work ethic and commitment to work together as a team are exemplary. - Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year: Linda Brock (Clinical Lead II/PNP, Otolaryngology)
“As a leader, Linda has worked tirelessly to implement onboarding processes that improve the work environment and allow her staff to transition successfully into practice. Linda goes above and beyond to ensure that her team members are heard, and she is attentive to their individual needs… Linda has established herself as a dedicated leader who is committed to the professional values, collaborative relationships, leadership, and family-centered care that are the cornerstones of advanced practice.” - Advanced Degree Nurse of the Year – Karla Abela (AD of Clinical Practice, PICU)
“Karla is an authentic leader with a passion for service. She leads by example and sets the tone for clinical practice, education, and research in the PICU. In her role as Assistant Director of Clinical Practice for PICU, Karla is able to make a difference every day by influencing outcomes for our patients… Karla is dedicated, passionate, and is able to influence others toward common goals. Mr. Wallace’s Maxim #6 –Leaders lead people; managers manage an asset, process, or thing – describes Karla very well. She often leads system-wide projects and is able to pull people together and gain commitment while keeping focus on our patients and desired outcomes. Her ability to influence has impacted outcomes related to pain management, infection prevention, and staff satisfaction.” - Friend of Nursing – Marsha Zimmerman (Org Development Consultant Sr.)
“Marsha consistently goes above and beyond her regular job duties and personifies the Texas Children’s values in all that she does… I cannot underscore enough the value of Marsha’s presence and contributions to our work…Marsha encourages an atmosphere where nurses feel supported and comfortable sharing their perspectives. She is a great mentor and never misses an opportunity to interject with a teaching moment.”
Houston Chronicle’s Salute to Nurses
Each year, thousands are nominated for the Houston Chronicle Salute to Nurses award and 15 outstanding nursing professionals are chosen to be honored as greater Houston’s Top 15 Nurses of the Year. Donna (DK) Lovick, a transition coordinator in the Heart Center, and Jenny Tcharmtchi, patient care manager in the PICU, were among the top 15 award recipients. Baylor College of Medicine nurse Stoney Snider from the Transition Medicine Clinic was also on the Top 15 list. Click here for more on the Houston Chronicle Salute to Nurses honorees.
In addition to the two nurses honored in the top 15, a total of 15 Texas Children’s nurses were recognized as being among the top 150 in the Greater Houston area.
Loralie Arzadon (West Campus – Nursing Operations Leadership)
Nicole Corso (Emergency Center)
Kimbereley Edwards Fitts (General Medicine/Transplant)
Leah Garza (Cancer Center and Hematology Center)
Kellie Leake (Ob/Gyn)
Donna (DK) Lovick (Legacy Tower – Heart Center)
Jennifer Mauney (Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit)
Karen Morales (Transport Services)
Kerri Phelps (Acute Care)
Rhoda Phillips (Cancer Center)
Diesa Samp (Renal and Transplant Services)
Clarisete Scota (The Woodlands – Acute Care)
Drew Sikes (Ob/GYN)
Stoney Snider (Baylor/Transition Medicine Clinic)
Jenny Tcharmtchi (Legacy Tower – Pediatric Intensive Care Unit)
Jackie Ward (Associate Nursing Chief/Vice President of Nursing)
Congratulations to our nurses! Happy Nurses Week!
Nursing Excellence Awards photos
