Nurse heroes are in every corner of the nursing community. You, or a nurse you know, might be a hero. Have you or a nurse colleague:

* initiated or implemented an innovative change in your clinic or department that resulted in improved patient care or increased efficiency?

* displayed professional performance above and beyond normal work responsibilities?

* exhibited outstanding judgment (eg, early detection or action) in a challenging clinical situation or medical emergency?

* consistently provided exceptional care, while fostering enhanced patient-nurse relationships and improved patient comfort?

* shown exceptional skill in caring for the emotional and psychological well-being of patients?

Local Hero Awards is a new program, sponsored by Genentech, Inc., to acknowledge and honor excellence in the nursing profession. The program will highlight stories of outstanding nursing care and award unrestricted educational grants to selected winners. A local hero honors board made up of leading members of the nursing community will review the stories.

Five finalists and one winner will be chosen every 2 months. Winners will receive an unrestricted education grant for $2,500. At the end of one year, the nursing community will vote for their favorite story from the six bimonthly winners. Stories will be posted at the Local Hero Web site. The grand prize winner will be awarded an unrestricted education grant of $25,000. For further information, go to http://www.cathflo.com/cathflo/nurses/2_0_nurses.jsp and follow the link to Local Hero.

Source: Press Release, Genentech, Inc., May 2003.