OU to recognize the Heart of Health Care at the Nightingale Awards

To recognize those with exceptional skills in balancing both compassion and knowledgeable care while working with patients, Oakland University's School of Nursing and its Board of Visitors will honor nurses from throughout Michigan and from Canada at the 23rd Annual Nightingale Awards for Nursing®.

The only event of its kind in the state, the ceremony will take place at 5 p.m. on Thursday, May 5, at the San Marino Club in Troy. The theme this year will be "The Heart of Health Care."

The evening will include a sit down dinner and silent auction, and high bidders at the auction could go home with a seven-day cruise to the Caribbean, a trip to Mission Point on Mackinaw Island, intricate jewelry and many other exciting items. Magic Morning Show host Cindy Canty will be this year's emcee.

More than 800 nurses, physicians, nurse administrators, family members and friends of winners and runners-up are expected to attend this year's awards ceremony. Nominees were nominated by their peers, supervisors, friends or patients for their superior service and contributions in one of eight specialty areas.

The Detroit Medical Center is the Presenting Sponsor for this year's event. Other sponsors include Henry Ford Health System, St. John Providence Health System, William Beaumont Hospitals, Crittenton Hospital Medical Center, Oakwood Healthcare System and St. Joseph Mercy Oakland.

Each winning recipient will receive a check for $1,000, a bronze statue of Florence Nightingale and a pin. They are:

• Administration: Bette Fitz – Huron Valley Sinai Hospital
• Advanced Nurse Practice: Janet Bush – Oakwood Southshore Medical Center
• Education & Research: Margaret Campbell – Detroit Receiving Hospital & Wayne State University College of Nursing
• Long Term Care / Rehabilitation: Kimberly Ayler – Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan, DMC
• Nursing in the Community: Kathy Stever – Beaumont Hospice
• Oakland University Distinguished Alumni: Caroline Medcoff – Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak
• Staff Nurse Practice: Karen Gerich – Beaumont Hospital, Troy
• Staff Nurse Practice: Colleen Joseph – Beaumont Hospital, Troy
• People's Choice: Kathleen Cotant – Retired Nurse. Currently a volunteer at Oakwood Healthcare System

Runners up will receive a plaque and Nightingale pin. They are:

• Administration: John Davanzo – St. Joseph Mercy Livingston & St. Joseph Mercy Brighton Hospitals
• Advanced Nurse Practice: Kathleen McLaughlin – Hutzel Women's Hospital, DMC
• Education & Research: Sandy Schmitt – Oakwood Healthcare System
• Long Term Care / Rehabilitation: Gail Regener –St. John Hospital & Medical Center
• Nursing in the Community: Diane Landosky – Beaumont Family Medicine Center
• Oakland University Distinguished Alumni: Catherine Barwick – St. John Providence Health System
• Staff Nurse Practice: Patricia Barrowcliff – Huron Valley Sinai Hospital
• Staff Nurse Practice: Jai Georgy – Beaumont Hospital, Troy
• People's Choice: Jacquelyn Smiertka – Bloomfield Bariatrics, Inc. and The Quality of Life Center

For more information or for tickets to the event, call Alison Wagner at (248) 370-3799.