2007 EXCELLENCE IN STAFF DEVELOPMENT AWARDS
At the National Nursing Staff Development Organization (NNSDO) Convention in Atlanta, GA, July 25-29, 2007, NNSDO President Kari Schmidt, President-Elect Barbara Brunt, and Chair of the Recognition Committee Connie Perry-Simon presented plaques to the recipients of the 2007 Excellence in Staff Development Awards.
The selection of NNSDO award recipients is done by the Recognition Committee, currently chaired by Connie Perry-Simon. Each Recognition Committee member individually reviews all of the award application submissions and completes a criteria rating form for each application. Then, the Committee meets by conference call to select the recipients of the awards. The recipients are recognized at the annual convention.
BELINDA E. PUETZ AWARD
The Belinda E. Puetz Award is the highest award given by NNSDO and is given in recognition of overall excellence in staff development. The 2007 recipient is Laura Dornhecker. Laura is manager of Organizational Development at Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ravenna, OH. Laura received this award in recognition of her leadership, advocacy for nursing, passion for excellence and growth, her dedication to education, and her willingness to mentor others.
EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY AWARD
The 2007 recipient of the Excellence in Educational Technology Award is Kathleen McCarthy. Kathleen is a staff development coordinator at St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center in Toledo, OH. Kathleen received this award in recognition of her successful efforts to facilitate staff's job competency and performance outcomes and to use resources efficiently through the use of technology.
EXCELLENCE IN THE ROLE OF THE NURSING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LEADER AWARD
The 2007 recipient of the Excellence in the Role of the Professional Development Leader Award is Margaret Crites. Meg is director of Human Resources and Educational Services at Union Hospital in Dover, OH. She is being recognized as a professional development educator who is a leader in her workplace, who contributes to the success of Union Hospital, and who provides guidance, resource, and knowledge for the professional growth of her colleagues.
EXCELLENCE IN THE ROLE OF THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT RESEARCHER AWARD
The Excellence in the Role of the Professional Development Researcher Award recognizes excellence in professional development research as indicated by the candidate's support and integration of research into practice and fostering of staff members' knowledge and skills in the research process. This year's recipient is Carol Korman. Carol is the education coordinator for the C.A.R.E. Ladder and Continuing Education at Akron Children's Hospital in Akron, OH. Carol is being recognized not only for her own interest and activity as a researcher but also for her support and mentoring of others in the conduct of research.
EXCELLENCE IN PRECEPTORSHIP AWARD
The Excellence in Preceptorship Award recognizes excellence in a preceptor program that enhances learners' competence in providing quality health care. The 2007 Excellence in Preceptorship Award recipient is the Surgical Program's Preceptor Group at Children's Hospital in Boston, MA. The preceptors in this group are being recognized for the value they place on teamwork, their spirit of inquiry, and their commitment to the professional development of themselves and others.
EXCELLENCE IN THE ROLES OF THE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FACILITATOR, CHANGE AGENT, AND CONSULTANT AWARD
The Excellence in the Roles of the Professional Development Facilitator, Change Agent, and Consultant Award recognizes the excellence of a professional development educator in a variety of roles as facilitator, change agent, and consultant. The 2007 recipient is Mary Beth Makic. Mary Beth is a clinical nurse specialist and educator in the Burn, Trauma, and Neuro ICU at the University of Colorado Hospital in Denver, CO. Mary Beth is being recognized for her facilitation of a new skin care improvement initiative implemented at the University of Colorado Hospital, a program that has resulted in significantly improved skin outcomes over time as well as the establishment of numerous successful innovations.
AFFILIATE EXCELLENCE IN QUALITY PROGRAMS AWARD
The Affiliate Excellence in Quality Programs Award is intended to recognize the NNSDO affiliate group that has demonstrated excellence in program quality. The 2007 recipient of the Affiliate Excellence in Quality Programs Award is the Dogwood Affiliate of NNSDO. The Dogwood Affiliate of NNSDO, based in the Fayetteville, NC, area, is recognized for its South Eastern Nursing Staff Educator Symposium, initiated in September 2005, presented again in fall 2006, and scheduled to take place in November 2007. The Affiliate is recognized for this outstanding program and the use of evaluation and needs assessment data to make improvements from one program to the next.
RESEARCH GRANT RECIPIENTS
The NNSDO awarded two $1,000 research grants in 2007.
The first was awarded to Dr. Joan Warren. Dr. Warren is the director of Professional Practice and Research at Franklin Square Hospital Center in Baltimore, MD. Dr. Warren's coinvestigator is Kathryn Montgomery of the University of Maryland School of Nursing. The title of the project is "An Education and Service Collaboration to Advanced Evidence Based Practice: Assessment and Evaluation for Next Steps."
The second grant was awarded to Dr. Lily Thomas at North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System in New Hyde Park, NY. Dr. Thomas' coinvestigators are Monica Latayan of North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset, NY, and Dr. Kathleen Stevens of the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. The title of their project is "Testing Evidence-Based Practice Readiness."