The March of Dimes Oklahoma Chapter, in partnership with the LeNorman Family, honored 20 outstanding nurses at the 2015 Nurse of the Year Awards.
Through Nurse of the Year Awards, the March of Dimes recognizes nurses who demonstrate exceptional patient care, compassion, and service. Whether serving as a health care provider, educator, or chapter volunteer, these nurses have played a critical role in improving the health of Oklahoma’s residents.
“The winners of this year’s Nurse of the Year awards are a testament to the caliber of nursing talent that is in our state,” said Laurie Applekamp, State Director for the March of Dimes. “We know that not only the winners, but the nominees and finalists alike, are truly committed to their patients and profession and are all making great strides in their respective fields.”
The event, chaired by Liz Michael, Vice President and CNO, Stillwater Medical Center, had over 400 attendees and raised over $80,000, making it one of the top Nurse of the Year events in the country.
Event partners included Title Sponsor, the LeNorman Family, Platinum Sponsor Mercy Hospital, and Silver Sponsor Stillwater Medical Center. Nurse of the Year Awards are given annually in approximately 20 award categories. More than 500 nurses were nominated in Oklahoma and 94 of those were selected as finalists. Award Recipients were announced at a special awards event held on Thursday, September 17, 2015 at the Embassy Suites in Norman.
Oklahoma’s 2015 Nurse of the Year Award Winners
Ann Kappen, INTEGRIS Southwest Medical Center
Category: Advanced Practice,
Marcia Cordy, OU Medical Center
Category: Behavioral Health
Jackie Aguilar, Stillwater Medical Center
Category: Cardiology
April Adams, Duncan Regional Hospital
Category: Charge Nurse
Derek Biggs, INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center
Category: Critical Care
Mark J. Fisher, OU Health Sciences Center
Category: Education, sponsored by Tulsa Community College
Valerie Austin, INTEGRIS Canadian Valley Hospital
Category: Emergency Services, sponsored by the LeNorman Family
Sandra Lawrence, Jack. C. Montgomery VA Medical Center
Category: General Medical/Surgical
Tamie Spring, Mercy Home Health
Category: Hospice, Home Health & Palliative Care, sponsored by Mercy Hospital
Cheri Oglesbee, Northeastern Health System
Category: Infection Control & Occupational Health
Amy Walkup, Shanoan Springs Nursing and Rehab
Category: Long Term Acute Care/Long Term Rehab, sponsored by Stillwater Medical Center
Haley Coppedge, Chickasaw Nation Ardmore Family Practice Clinic
Category: Managed Care, sponsored by UMB Bank
Kimberly Jenkins, Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City
Category: Neonatal/Pediatrics, sponsored by Mercy Hospital
Terri Preston, INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center
Category: Nursing Administration, sponsored by the LeNorman Family
Ellen Wardlaw, Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City
Category: Oncology, sponsored by American Fidelity Assurance Company
Sara Kernell, Oklahoma City Indian Clinic
Category: Public Health & Ambulatory Care
Susan Young, Mercy Hospital Ardmore
Category: Quality & Risk Management, sponsored by Bank 2
Alex Matlock, OU Medical Center
Category: Rising Star, sponsored by RCB Bank
Vicki Cantrell, INTEGRIS Canadian Valley Hospital
Category: Surgical Services
April Loeffler, Saint Francis Hospital South
Category: Women’s Health, sponsored by Stillwater Medical Center
The award recipients were determined by a distinguished selection committee comprised of health care professionals who screened the nomination forms in a blinded review process.
The March of Dimes works to end premature birth and other problems that threaten our babies. We help moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies. If something goes wrong, we offer information and comfort to families. We research the reasons why babies are born too soon or very sick and work on preventions.
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
