Five nurses from around the country have been chosen as national winners in the GEM (Giving Excellence Meaning) Awards program presented by Nurse.com, the premier healthcare brand of OnCourse Learning. "Our winners are some of nursing's best and brightest, and we're privileged to celebrate them," said Eileen Williamson, MSN, RN, senior vice president and chief nurse executive for Nurse.com. "Giving excellence meaning through public recognition is what the GEM Awards program is all about."
The 2016 winners are:
Excellence in Clinical Nursing -- Lauren Micale, BSN, RN, CPHON, Clinical Nurse, Bone Marrow Transplant/Hematology, Nemours/Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Del. "She is a teacher, mentor, clinical resource and bilingual nurse who advocates for Spanish-speaking patients and their families," Williamson said. "Lauren believes earning professional certification in her specialty propelled her on her nursing journey, and she is proud of everything she has worked for and accomplished." Excellence in Community Care -- Michele Rubin, MSN, APN, CNS-BC, CGRN, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Colorectal Surgery, University of Chicago Medicine "She is proud of the difference she makes in her patients' lives," Williamson said. "Michele helped establish the only nurse practitioner-operated J-Pouch clinic in Chicago. She is a widely published author who has been a longtime member of the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America's Chicago chapter." Excellence in Education and Mentorship -- J. Cedar Wang, MSN, RN, APN, GNP-BC, CHSE, Director of Simulation Education, Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck, N.J. "She left academia to launch a hospital simulation center that has earned statewide and national attention," Williamson said. "She believes nurses need to lead the charge in transforming care at the bedside, and that simulation provides an opportunity to do that. Her love of education and her innovative leadership are a powerful combination." Excellence in Executive Leadership -- Kimberly Pearson, MHA, MBA, RN, CCHP, Deputy Agency Director, Correctional Health Services, County of Orange, Health Care Agency, Santa Ana, Calif. "As a nurse who oversees healthcare services for approximately 7,000 incarcerated adults and youths, Kimberly is described by colleagues as a trustworthy, experienced, inspirational leader," Williamson said. "She considers nursing an outstanding career, and is proud to have been nominated by her staff." Excellence in Management -- Tamre Del Valle, MSN, RN, Director of ED and Cardiac Cath Lab, Valley Presbyterian Hospital, Van Nuys, Calif. "She is a skilled leader who guided her department through periods of significant change and improvement," Williamson said. "Tamre's work on her facility's ED is described by her nominator as tireless. Tamre encourages nurse colleagues to grow professionally and be patient advocates and often says she is blessed with a supportive staff." The winners were chosen by a national panel of nurse leaders in blinded judging. Each winner was selected earlier this year as a regional winner in one of five regions: Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Northeast, South and Other GEM States, and West. Williamson said hundreds of nominations were received from across the country for the awards program, which is a nearly 30-year tradition for Nurse.com.
