Finalists have been announced for the 2014 Shining Star Award along with winner of the Peter and Cynthia Rosenwald Star Nurse of the Year Award, all presented annually at the Evening With the Stars gala, 6:30 p.m. September 27 at the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing (JHSON).
Shining Star Awards are given to two nurses of the Hopkins Hospital system, and one faculty member and one student from JHSON. The Rosenwald Star recognizes a nurse working in The John Hopkins Hospital’s intensive care units who goes above and beyond the call of duty.
Hopkins Nurse Nominees
Two Shining Star winners from this group will be announced September 27 (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.”
Doris Cybert Wilcher, RN, IBCLC, Howard County General Hospital
As a Lactation Consultant, Doris Cybert Wilcher “goes above and beyond in order to provide the best possible recovery after childbirth by enhancing bonding, breastfeeding and education for both mom and baby.” She is also known to spend countless hours performing small tests of change in order to improve patient outcomes and provide a positive impact to mothers that deliver their babies at HCGH.”
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.”
Lynn McDonald, DNP, RN, the Johns Hopkins Hospital
Cervical Cancer Screening Program Coordinator Lynn McDonald “believes it is her responsibility to educate patients and families about cervical cancer and reproductive health.” She also serves as a mentor to medical and nursing students, lectures on screen¬ing guidelines, and is a local, national, and internal presenter on cervical cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, human papillomavirus, and intimate partner violence.
LeighAnn Sidone, MSN, RN, Suburban Hospital
Director of Professional Practice and Nursing Quality LeighAnn Sidone is “an inspirational leader” and has “helped to transform practice of nursing.” Under her leadership, nurses are now involved in several quality improvement projects including a fall reduction program, and she’s worked to increase opportunities for nurses to be certified and continue their education. “LeighAnn truly deserves a tremendous amount of credit for the success of our [nursing Epic] implementation.”
Mary “Katie” Sisk, RN, CIC, Sibley Memorial Hospital
As a certified Infection Preventionist, Katie Sisk works tirelessly to ensure the safety of patients, community members, and the hospital staff. “Her experience, knowledge, vision, and passion for her job make her a unique person–working for the greater good. Katie is selfless, dedicated and adored and respected by the staff and the physicians.” She was the first Infection Preventionist to work for the District of Columbia Department of Health.
JHSON Faculty Nurse Nominees
One winner will be chosen
Cheryl Dennison Himmelfarb, PhD, RN, ANP, FAAN
Associate Professor, Cheryl Dennison-Himmelfarb teaches by example. “She is open-minded and fair, and always considers the opinions of others.” A mentor known for the support she lends to the development of students and peers, Dennison Himmelfarb “instills in students a desire to learn.” She has “shown that hard work and commitment to what you believe in can make lasting change in another person’s life.”
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 Nominees
One winner will be chosen
Kelly Hann, BSN Candidate 2014
Kelly Hann is a very active nursing student. She is a Birth Companion to expecting mothers, a member of the Pediatric Interest Group, National Student Nurses’ Association Chapter President, and a Hopkins Ambassador. “Kelly is also dedicated to providing her patients the best possible care.” She excels in both the academic and clinical settings and plans to continue onto the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program upon completion of her BSN.
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 Award Winner
Allison Pyles, RN, The Johns Hopkins Hospital
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. The night shift staff strive to emulate all that she does.”
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.”
The Gala
Join Dean Patricia Davidson, PhD, MEd, RN, FAAN, for an evening of time travel and celebration marking 125 years of Johns Hopkins Nursing. Honor the past, experience the progression of nursing, and get a glimpse into the future. Take on the role of a nursing student and interact with patients in a virtual hospital setting. Enter our mock kitchen and experience the challenges that someone with a disability faces when performing everyday household tasks. Learn about innovative solutions, and more.
Fox 45 reporter Candace Dold will serve as master of ceremonies.
More
Meet last year’s Shining Stars
Attend the event or purchase a star to recognize a nurse’s contributions (proceeds benefit the Johns Hopkins School of Nursing-led coordinated school health program at Henderson-Hopkins School)