With 125 years of history and the first hints of autumn in the air beneath a tent (just in case) at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing, five newly minted Shining Stars got their moments in the spotlight at the third-annual Evening With the Stars gala.
Dean Patricia Davidson, PhD, MEd, RN, FAAN, welcomed alumni, students, staff, faculty, and friends of the School of Nursing (JHSON) as well as nurses from across the medical system for an evening of time travel and celebration marking 125 years of Johns Hopkins Nursing. Attendees got a chance to honor the past, experience the progression of nursing, and get a glimpse into its future as faculty and students showed off innovative solutions.
Oh, and there was fun to be had everywhere, if early photo-booth results are any indication.
Emcee Candace Dold of Fox 45 in Baltimore, whose brother is a nurse at The Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH), announced the winners:
Hopkins Nurse Star
Two winners from a group of nominees from JHH and its affiliates (quotes are from nomination forms):
Genieveve Cline, DNP, RN, All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, FL
The first nurse to fill the Advanced Education Specialist role at All Children’s, Genieveve Cline has dedicated her time and talents to developing and implementing a wide breadth of programs to support the growth of nursing research. Recognizing a need for more staff education on the research process, Cline developed courses to address it. “Her enthusiasm and passion are evident in all her endeavors.”
Morning Gutierrez, RN, Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
“Always think of someone you love in their shoes and what they are going through” are the words that Morning Gutierrez carries with her each day. As the senior clinical permanent charge nurse, “Morning has a customer service approach to patient care that is exceptional.” She is “an awesome role model to her colleagues.”
JHSON Faculty Nurse
Tener Veenema, PhD, MPH, RN, FAAN
Tener Veenema is an Associate Professor and Pediatric Emergency Nurse Practitioner. Tener has “excelled in her roles as a researcher, professor, and mentor,” and her work has “undoubtedly saved and improved the lives of countless individuals who have become victims of disasters. Dr. Veenema is professional and knowledgeable but is also one of the most caring individuals I know.”
JHSON Student Nurse
Clifton Thornton, MSNC, RN, CNMT
Clifton Thornton is “an outstanding student, a talented and capable research assistant, and a skilled tutor. He cares deeply for his patients and believes that good nursing is an integral aspect of their care. He consistently exhibits a level of intellectual and emotional maturity.” Thornton will be graduating from the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program in December.
Rosenwald Star Nurse of the Year
The Cynthia and Peter Rosenwald Star recognizes a nurse working in JHH’s intensive care units who goes above and beyond the call of duty.
Allison Pyles, RN
Allison Pyles is an ICU nurse clinician in the Neuroscience Critical Care Unit. She assumes the role of charge nurse, bedside clinical nurse, and unit clinical mentor. She also collects quality improvement and patient safety data and holds staff accountable to meet the standards of all safety initiatives. She goes above and beyond to always ensure a patient’s needs are not only met but exceeded. “She is an exemplary leader for all front-line nursing staff.”
Says Pyle of the award: “I have always felt that I am the lucky one. I have the opportunity to be in a job that I love and I get to work with patients and families at such a critical time in their lives. I have the privilege of being surrounded by the world's greatest nurses.”