By Katie Land, news editor
More than 700 nurses, doctors, hospital administrators and other healthcare workers from across the state of Michigan came to honor the region’s top nurses who demonstrate an unyielding professionalism and guidance at the 21st Annual Nightingale Awards for Nursing®.
The ceremony was held at the San Marino Club in Troy this May. Magic 105.1 afternoon radio host, Mitzi Miles was the emcee for this year’s event, with a “Leading the Way” theme. The awards were created to promote nursing’s critical role in health care and the array of ways that nurses care for America’s citizens and is the only one of its kind in the state.
Oakland University’s School of Nursing received more than 150 nominations. Each year, nine winners and runners-up are selected from a selection committee of hospital executives from around the metro Detroit area.
Honorees were nominated by their peers, supervisors, friends or patients for superior service and contributions. St. John Health System is the Presenting Sponsor for this year’s event. Each winning recipient received a check for $1,000, a bronze statue of Florence Nightingale and a pin. Runners up received a plaque and pin.
St. John Health System was the presenting sponsor. Other sponsors include Henry Ford Health System, Detroit Medical Center, William Beaumont Hospitals, Crittenton Hospital Medical Center, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland and more.
The Silent Auction for this year’s Nightingale Awards offered autographed sports memorabilia, a Detroit Tiger’s Suite package, a diamond citrine necklace, a 7-day Caribbean cruise, spa gift certificates and electronics such as Ipods. All money raised from the silent auction will help to purchase new equipment and supplies and scholarships for nursing students.
The 22nd Annual Nightingale Awards’ presenting sponsor is Oakwood Healthcare and will take place at the San Marino Club in Troy on Thursday, May 6, 2010.
Winners of 2009 Nightingale Awards are:
• Administration: Lucille Musser Arking – Select Specialty Hospital-Pontiac
• Advanced Nurse Practice: Diana Labumbard – Huron Valley Sinai Hospital
• Education & Research: Mary Golinski – William Beaumont Hospital-Grosse Pointe
• Long Term Care / Rehabilitation: Julia Libcke – DMC-Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan
• Nursing in the Community: Laurel Felsenfeld – Aging Answers LLC & Axis Care Management
• Oakland University Distinguished Alumni: Judith Pegg – William Beaumont Hospital-Troy
• Staff Nurse Practice: Alison Sachse – St. John Providence Hospital
• Staff Nurse Practice: Karen Safko – Northern Michigan Regional Medical Center
• People’s Choice: Suzanne Zayan – St. Joseph Mercy Livingston Hospital
Nightingale Award runners-up for 2009 are:
• Administration: Kathleen Urban – Garden City Hospital
• Advanced Nurse Practice: Rita DiBiase – Karmanos Cancer Institute
• Education & Research: Michelle Farkas – Cameron-DMC-Sinai Grace Hospital
• Long Term Care / Rehabilitation: Judith Murphy – Garden City Hospital
• Nursing in the Community: Sister Hilda Nadine Sheehan – Neighbors Caring for Neighbors Clinic-Henry Ford Home Care
• Oakland University Distinguished Alumni: Marilyn Maggioncalda – St. John Providence Hospital
• Staff Nurse Practice: Josephine Garnoc-William Beaumont Hospital – Grosse Pointe
• Staff Nurse Practice: Sheri Frank – DMC-Detroit Receiving Hospital
• People’s Choice: Stephanie Kearney – Oakwood Home Care
