In recognition of National Nurses Week, May 6-12, Navicent Health will celebrate the contributions of its almost 1,500 nurses.
 
The week-long celebration began on Friday, May 6 with Navicent Health’s second annual Friends of Nursing Gala. The evening of music and dancing also included  the second annual Nursing Excellence Awards. Nurses were recognized in the following categories:
 
·         Excellence in Leadership – Libby Fuqua, RN
·         Excellence in Advanced Practice – Judy Gay, RN
·         Excellence in Evidence-Based Practice, Research and Education – Allison McDonald, RN
·         Excellence in General Medicine – Joshua Pfieffer, RN
·         Excellence in Post-Acute Care – Shirley Wesley-Lawson, RN
·         Excellence in Ambulatory and Community Care – Tonya McClain, RN
·         Excellence in Emergency and Critical Care – Gordy Joris, RN
·         Excellence in Pediatric Care – Kaci Gerhardt, RN
·         Excellence in Clinical Support Services – Julie Bailey, RN
·         Excellence in Specialty Services – Sabrina Hering, RN
·         Excellence in Surgical Services – Lora Rice, RN
·         Excellence in Kindness – Sheryl Adams, RN
·         Excellence in Mentoring – Meryl Montgomery, RN
·         Excellence in Spirit – Samantha Hart, RN
·         Rising Star Award – Kaydee Boyt, RN
 
The week-long celebration will continue through May 12 with various events at Navicent Health, including special recognition for nurses of professional achievement and clinical excellence on Tuesday, May 10.  Awards will be presented at The Medical Center, Navicent Health (777 Hemlock Street, Macon) at 11:00 a.m. and Macon-Bibb County Mayor Robert A.B. Reichert will present a special proclamation to Navicent Health’s nursing staff. Media are cordially invited to attend.
 
With almost 3.1 million registered nurses in the United States, nursing comprises the nation’s largest healthcare profession. Nurses must meet the varied healthcare needs of patients in a range of settings, and professional nursing is an indispensible component of safe, quality care for patients.
 
“As the healthcare industry shifts its focus to primary and preventative healthcare, the demand for registered nursing services will continue to grow, particularly when we consider the needs of an aging population. In the future, we will rely on nurses more than ever before for our healthcare needs. At Navicent Health, we have an extraordinary group of talented, compassionate nurses who are committed to ever-improving quality care. It is appropriate that we pause this week to recognize them for their many valuable contributions to healthcare, to our patients, and to our community,” said Tracey Blalock, RN, MSN, MBA, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Executive for Navicent Health.
 
In 2015, the American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet Recognition Program recognized Navicent Health with its third Magnet designation, placing Navicent Health in an elite group of only 130 hospitals worldwide to achieve three designations. The designation is a testament to the commitment of Navicent Health’s nurses to excellence in quality patient care.
 
Annually, National Nurses Week begins on May 6, RN Recognition Day, and ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, who is recognized as the founder of the modern nursing profession.