St. Mary's Congratulates Our 2013 Nursing Excellence Award ...

St. Mary’s Congratulates Our2013 Nursing Excellence Award Winners!As part of our recent celebration of National Nurses Week (May 5 – 11), St. Mary’s Healthrecently honored our nursing staff and announced the 2013 Nursing Excellence Award Winners.Because of the dedication and professionalism of our nurses, St. Mary’s was named a Magnet®recognized facility by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in 2011, anachievement only about 7 percent of all hospitals in the United States have reached.BONNIE MILLER – Clinical Practice Award WinnerThe Award for Clinical Nursing Practice is given to the professionalnurse who is an expert clinician, practicing autonomously andconsistently with professional standards of care. This nurse promotesthe professional role of the nurse including technical and human skills,accountability, authority and responsibility for one’s own practice. Thisnurse provides continuity and coordination of care and incorporatesevidence-based practice into daily, holistic patient care focused onbody, mind and spirit.The recipient of the 2013 “Clinical Nursing Practice” ExcellenceAward is Bonnie Miller. Bonnie’s nominators said, “Bonnie givesexcellent patient care and includes the whole family in the birth experience. She is a great nursewho is admired by her peers as a leader and role model.”Bonnie obtained her Associate Degree in Nursing from Ivy Tech Community College. Sincebecoming a St. Mary’s nurse in February of 2002, Bonnie has dedicated herself to Labor &Delivery/Antepartum. Regarded as a team player in her unit and in the hospital, Bonnie is seenas a resource for other nurses. She was one of the first nurses in her department to earncertification and is currently working to advance her nursing degree as well. In addition, she is amember of the Clinical Practice Council, the Labor & Delivery Scheduling Committee,Antepartum Committee and has worked with others in her service line to completely revamptheir orientation program. Bonnie is a charge nurse, a preceptor and a lead RN on the MaternalTransport Team.JEREMY COOMES – Nurses as Leaders Award WinnerThe Award for Nurses as Leaders is given to the professional nurse who isa leader at the bedside, within the nursing unit and/or departmentpromoting mutual respect for all members of the health care team. Thisnurse is viewed as a knowledgeable, strong patient and family advocatewith exceptional clinical and critical thinking skills. This nurse is leadingand participating in departmental, hospital projects or professional nursingor community organizations.The 2013 “Nurses as Leaders” Excellence Award was given to JeremyCoomes. The “Nurses as Leaders” Excellence Award honors a nurse wholeads at the bedside and within the nursing unit, while promoting mutual

espect for all members of the healthcare team. According to his nominator, “Jeremy is veryknowledgeable with a vast range of nursing skills. He is confident and approachable – a greatteacher.”Jeremy received his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Southern Indiana. Hebegan his career at St. Mary’s in 2008 as a Student Nurse. Jeremy serves as the day shift chargenurse on 5 South Post-Surgical Unit. As part of this role, he is dealt the tasks of managing theflow of the department, maintaining customer service, staffing, patient room assignments,problem solving, morale boosting and serving as a resource for patients and staff. In addition,Jeremy also serves on the Clinical Practice Council, is a Slipper Sheet Champion and apreceptor.ELIZABETH LOGAN – Nurses as Teachers Award WinnerThe Award for Nurses as Teachers is given to the professional nurseinvolved in educational activities at the bedside, in the classroom or inthe community. This nurse may serve in the preceptor program foreducating and mentoring staff, students, new graduates andexperienced nurses. Patient and family education is an extremelyimportant dimension in the role of the nurse and meeting the diverseneeds of all patients is core to the care of patients and families.The recipient of the 2013 “Nurses as Teachers” Excellence Award isElizabeth Logan. The “Nurses as Teachers” Excellence Award isgiven to a nurse involved in activities such as patient education, staffeducation and community education. Her nominator said, “Elizabeth is a go-to clinician in theSTICU. Her knowledge, not just in trauma, but in all areas of Critical Care, is exemplary. She isalways willing to teach and share the knowledge she has gained. She is also one of the first to askto attend educational opportunities offered and brings to the unit new evidence-based practices orideas to discuss.”Elizabeth received her Baccalaureate Degree in Nursing from USI and has been a valuedSt. Mary’s nurse since 2007. She serves as the chair of the Quality and Patient Safety Council, amember of the Nursing Clinical Ladder Committee and a preceptor and also volunteers with herdog Casey in St. Mary’s Pet Therapy Program. In addition, she has been a key member of theMEWS research project and an instructor for ACLS classes, QuEST and Slipper Sheet training.She is a certified critical care nurse and a respected Team Leader in the STICU.MELANIE LUTZ – Nurses and the Community Award WinnerThe Award for Nurses and the Community is represented by theprofessional nurse who establishes relationships within and among alltypes of healthcare organizations and community organizations bydeveloping strong partnerships that ultimately support and improvepatient outcomes and the health of the community they serve. Thisnurse is involved in the community by making essential andmeaningful contributions toward the goal of a healthier future for ourcommunity.

The 2013 “Nurses in the Community” Excellence Award was given to Melanie Lutz. Melanie’speers said, “Melanie’s engineering background has led her to be an active participant incommunity hazmat training. She has excellent experience and insight into this field. She ispassionate about hazmat training and community safety.”Melanie is an active member of the Emergency Department Practice Council. She is currentlyleading an evidence-based practice project involving biological and chemical exposure. She isalso a member of the hospital-wide Clinical Practice Council, Safe Kids, Hazmat Committee andAsthma Readiness Committee. She also serves as a relief charge nurse and unit preceptor.Melanie received her Baccalaureate Degree in Engineering from the University of Evansville andher Associate Degree in Nursing from Ivy Tech Community College. Melanie has been part ofthe St. Mary’s family since 2006. During her time in the Emergency Department, Melanie hasmaintained many certifications, including ACLS, PALS, TNCC and ATCN. She is also acertified Trauma Nurse Specialist.LISA DOWNEN – Administrator of Nursing Excellence Award WinnerThe Administrator of Nursing Excellence is an award designed torecognize nurses in leadership positions within the organization. Thisadministrator fosters and supports a culture of Nursing Excellence.This nurse interacts with and contributes to the professionaldevelopment of peers and colleagues. The nurse collaborates with alllevels of nursing staff, interdisciplinary teams, executive leaders andother stakeholders to improve the patient experience. This nurseconsiders factors related to safety, effectiveness, cost and impact onnursing practice in the planning and delivery of nursing services.The 2013 Administrator of Nursing Excellence award was presented toLisa Downen. Lisa’s nominators commented, “Lisa is an outstanding director. Hercommunication skills, positive attitude and constant encouragement for her staff are contagious.”Lisa has been a member of St. Mary’s nursing family since July of 1988. Lisa has served in avariety of roles throughout her time at St. Mary’s, most recently as the Director of 6 EastOncology. Lisa earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of SouthernIndiana. She maintains her Oncology certification as well as a Health Facility Administratorlicense. She serves not only as a leader who is active in a number of committees at St. Mary’s,but also an active leader in the community. She currently serves as an Advisor on Ivy TechCommunity College’s Nursing Board and is also a member of the Medical/Surgical NursesSociety.