Most folks, when asked to describe nurses, will use the words ‘caring, compassionate and gentle’ or ‘reliable, stead and there when you need them.’ That vocabulary list should also include, ‘life-long learners’. In addition to completing required continuing education courses to maintain their licenses, many nurses study and complete additional degrees and certifications throughout their careers.
“I am very proud of our nurses who make the significant investment of personal time to continue their educations, balancing their studies with their careers and families. They demonstrate commitment to our core values of excellence and professionalism. When our employees increase their knowledge and professional skills, the result is improved quality and service to our patients and community,” says Mary N. Mannix, FACHE, CEO of Augusta Health, and nurse.
On Nurses Day, Augusta Health nurses who received academic degrees over the past year, as well as the recipients of the Nursing Scholarship Awards, were recognized for their achievements.
The Nursing Scholarship Awards are provided by the W.C Smith Nursing Excellence Fund, which was established in 1999 with an estate gift from Audrey Gowing Smith in memory of William C. Smith, MD, Waynesboro’s first pediatrician. The fund was established by Mrs. Smith to provide for the professional development of Augusta Health nurses.
Since 1999, Augusta Health has invested the Fund wisely and it has grown exponentially. Today, the Fund balance stands at more than $70,000. The awards from the Smith Fund are given to help Augusta Health nurses achieve professional development goals.
Those nurses receiving degrees in the past year were:
- Cindy Atkinson, MSN, James Madison University
- Christina Baber, BSN, Eastern Mennonite University
- Pat Benson, MSN, Walden University
- Jennifer Breeden, RN, Piedmont Virginia Community College
- Meredith Brown, BSN, Eastern Mennonite University
- Erin Brown, BSN, Radford University
- Susanna Carter, BSN, Western Governor’s University
- Alyssa Dahn, MEd, Virginia Tech
- Elaine Dunnivan, RN, Blue Ridge Community College
- Kayla Folsom, BSN, Shenandoah University
- Julie Ford, RN, Blue Ridge Community College
- Denise Gargie, MBA, Averett University
- Rebecca Gibson, BSN, Old Dominion University
- Krystal Goff, RN, Blue Ridge Community College
- Laura Good, BSN, Liberty University
- Susan Harrold, MBA, Averett University
- Lisa Howard, BSN, Liberty University
- Faith Huff, BSN, Liberty University
- Amanda Humphries, RN, Blue Ridge Community College
- Gena Johnson, MSN, Walden University
- Ruth Jones, BSN, Eastern Mennonite University
- Jennifer Lamb, BSN, James Madison University
- Mandee May, RN, Piedmont Virginia Community College
- Dianne Moody, MSN, Walden University
- Kim Nelson, MSN, Walden University
- Brooke Phillips, RN, Blue Ridge Community College
- Ashley Potter, RN, Dabney S. Lancaster Community College
- Jeri Pugh, BSN, Walden University
- Pamela Salisbury Smith, BSN, James Madison University
- Greg Smith, MSN-Ed, American Sentinel University
- Stacy Stewart, LPN, Massanutten Technical Center
- Kim Sullenger, MSN-Ed, Western Governor’s University
- Jasmine Wiseman, BSN, James Madison University
The Nursing Scholarship Awards were presented to:
- Amy Altamash, Joint Center
- Dana Breeding, Community Outreach
- Stephanie Brooks, OB
- Elizabeth Clark, 3 East
- Meagan Clayton, Hospice of the Shenandoah
- Elizabeth Davis, ER
- Lori Davis, Case Management
- Sabine Dukes, PCU
- Megan Dull, OB
- Dylan Fix, OB
- Melissa Golladay, OR
- Kira Griffin, QRM
- Roxanne Harris, OB
- Amanda Hashagen, OB
- Lisa Howard, ED
- Kristen Longwith, OB
- Chelby Maddox, OB
- Charlotte Maiden, PACU/OPS
- Mandee May, ED
- William ‘Joey’ Mooneyham, Hospice of the Shenandoah
- Jay Murphy, Cardiac Cath Lab
- Victoria O’Hara, 3East
- Lena Patterson, OR
- Nina Rhodes, Cancer Center
- Robin Riley, PCU
- Tammie Rinaldo, Crossroads
- Pamela Salisbury Smith, Crossroads
- Stephanie Stokes, ED
- Erica Thomas, OB
Augusta Health’s mission is to promote the health and well-being of our community through access to excellent care. Named one of the 100 Top Hospitals in America by Thomson Reuters in both 2011 and 2012, Augusta Health has also been nationally recognized by HealthGrades as one of America’s 100 Best Hospitals for clinical excellence and patient safety for the last three consecutive years, and has been name one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals in 2015.
For more information about Augusta Health, its programs or its services, please contact Public Relations at 540.245.7329 or visit our website, www.augustahealth.com.
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Chris Graham
