Outstanding Tristate Nurses Honored

CINCINNATI—The University of Cincinnati (UC) College of Nursing will honor 16 nurses at the 14th annual Florence Nightingale Awards for their dedication and commitment to providing exceptional patient care. The recipients of this year’s awards will be recognized April 26, 2006, at the downtown Cincinnati Hyatt Regency.

“We received 275 individual nominations and a total of 430 nominations for this year’s awards,” says Elizabeth Karle, program manager at the College of Nursing. “We have many highly qualified and committed nurses working in our community and it was difficult for our board of advisers to select the winners. It’s an honor for the College of Nursing to celebrate the professionalism and excellence that nurses bring to our community.”

Six nurses will receive the Florence Nightingale Award, named for the founder of modern nursing, and $1,000. Ten nurses will receive the Dean’s Award and $400 each. Money for the awards is provided through sponsorships.

Recipients of the 2006 Nightingale Awards are:

·   Billie Addison, Deupree Health Center

·   Catherine Brug-Reeves, St. Luke Hospitals

·   Teresa Merk, Cincinnati Shriners Hospital

·   Homer Phillips, Harmony Community School and Veteran Affairs Medical Center

·   Jonda Proffit, Cincinnati Health Department

·   Mary Ann Roos, Cincinnati Health Department/James N. Gamble Elementary School

The Dean’s Award winners are:

   ·   Shirley Alsup, University Hospital 
   ·   Kim Bailey, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center 
   ·   Bonnie Benson, St. Elizabeth Medical Center 
   ·   Deborah Dixon, Hillandale Communities 
   ·   Vicki Estridge, Jewish Hospital 
   ·   Rosie Fardo, Mercy Health Partners, Mt. Airy 
   ·   Sandy Grau, Patheon Pharmaceuticals 
   ·   Zahida “Frances” Ludwig, Good Samaritan Hospital 
   ·   Cheryl Rush, Christ Hospital 
   ·   Amy Scarlato, Cincinnati Health Department/Chase Elementary School

The evening will begin with a private reception for the winners, the College of Nursing board of advisers and sponsors at 6 p.m. in the Buckeye Room. UC president Nancy Zimpher will also attend. The optimal time for media to talk to recipients will be at the reception.

The reception will be followed by dinner at 7 p.m. The awards ceremony is from 7:45 to 9 p.m. More than 900 people attended last year’s event.