March 10, 2006
Three From Genesis Are Named Great Iowa Nurses
Initiative Honors Nurses, Promotes Profession Within the State
Iowa's 100 Great Nurses program is recognizing three Genesis nurses for their exceptional contributions to patients, colleagues and the profession. Receiving the prestigious designation for 2006 are: Maureen Carty, MSN, RN, OCN, Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Genesis Medical Center, Davenport; Karen LeMaster, MS, RN, CNA, Med/Surg Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Genesis Medical Center, Davenport; and Anne Lewis, MA, RN, CNRN, Neuroscience Clinical Nurse Specialist, Genesis Medical Center, Davenport.
The 100 Great Iowa Nurses program, in its second year, is meant to heighten the visibility of nurses within the state by recognizing their excellence and promoting their stories of compassion in nursing practice. It’s modeled after a program created in Louisiana in 1986 that has since been adopted by nursing organizations around the country.
"Those chosen for this honor are to be commended for advancing and leading the profession of nursing, and for demonstrating excellence in direct-care delivery," said Melanie Dreher, PhD, RN, FAAN, Chairwoman, 100 Great Iowa Nurses, and Dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Iowa. "These are the torch bearers who lead through mentoring, thereby improving patient care for all of Iowa."
Nominations from colleagues, patients and others were first evaluated by 21 reviewers around the state. Final selection was determined by representatives of the Iowa Hospital Association, Iowa Nurses Association and the Iowa Nurses Foundation. The nurses encompass a wide variety of backgrounds, including large and small hospitals, physician offices, nursing and rehab centers, home health and hospice, school districts and colleges and universities. They'll be honored at a May 9 celebration at the Olmsted Center on the Drake University campus in Des Moines.
It's the second significant honor Genesis nurses have received in the past few months. In October, the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), the leading nursing credentialing organization in the United States, awarded Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, its prestigious Magnet designation for nursing excellence. Magnet designation is widely accepted as the gold standard of patient care. Genesis is the first and only hospital in the Quad Cities, and just the fourth in Iowa, to achieve Magnet designation.
"The 100 Great Nurses designation, like Magnet, is meaningful because it is independent, outside recognition of the excellence found in our nursing organization," said Leo Bressanelli, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Genesis Health System. "The compassionate, quality care and leadership our nurses provide is outstanding."
Here's more about the Genesis nurses named to this year's 100 Great Iowa Nurses list:
Maureen Carty, MSN, RN, OCN
Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Genesis Medical Center, Davenport
"I think it's wonderful to be awarded this honor for doing what I enjoy doing. I'm fortunate to have a profession that fulfills me the way nursing does," says Carty, who has worked in the Oncology setting for Genesis and one of its predecessor organizations, St. Lukes, since 1989. Carty's expertise in caring for cancer and pain patients has made her a valuable consultant to others across the health system. In addition to teaching chemotherapy classes, her knowledge of Reiki allows her to enhance care and provide additional education to staff. Her most recent project was the establishment of the Pain Resource Program that includes selection of pain resource RNs, educational programs and outcome-based interventions. She's helping establish patient care alternatives through her work on the End of Life Task Force and Palliative Care Committee. Carty is the chairperson of the GMC Davenport Care Delivery Model, conducts Practice Reviews on nursing units and has worked in collaboration with the Advanced Practice Nurses on projects including the Skin Screen Program to eliminate pressure ulcers and 1:1 Observation to enhance patient safety. She has worked diligently on the Magnet initiative, is an advocate for Primary Nursing, chairs the Research Utilization, Pain Resource and Primary Nursing Committees. She is proposing this year to establish a "Reflection Room" that will be available for staff, patients and family. "She possesses a rare talent in being able to assist patients through threatening, life-changing experiences," says Judy Pranger, Director, Nursing Operations, GMC Davenport. "She is able to connect, establish hope and acceptance."
Karen LeMaster, MS, RN, CNA
Med/Surg Gerontology Clinical Nurse Specialist, Genesis Medical Center, Davenport
Enthusiastic. Dedicated. Flexible. LeMaster has been asked to take on many different roles in the organization since she began in 1983. She's served as a staff nurse on the Surgical and Intensive Care units, managed the Transitional Skilled, Rehabilitation and Pulmonary units, been a preceptor for new managers on the Orthopaedics and Oncology units, functioned in the role of the Project Manager for Redesign and the Critical Care Clinical Nurse Specialist. "Whatever the challenge, she rises to the occasion, influences other to join in and realizes successful outcomes," says Pranger. LeMaster was influential in the journey to Magnet status, as she educated staff, provided avenues for staff to get involved, helped write the evidence submitted to the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and cheered the organization on. She's a member of the Professional Development Program Task Force, a group responsible for promoting the development and commitment of excellence in bedside nursing. Her dedication to improving patient care is evidenced through certification by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) in critical care and ANCC in nursing administration, and involvement in a number of professional organizations. She also contributes to the health and well being of the community through her chairmanship of the BIX Medical Tent, which she's done for the past 12 years, and as a committee member and medical tent volunteer for six years prior. She has been awarded the Bix Volunteer of the Year award. "When you find an organization committed to the very best nursing care, you've found a home," says LeMaster. "I've been her for more than 20 years and I discover something new and wonderful every day."
Anne Lewis, MA, RN, CNRN
Neuroscience Clinical Nurse Specialist, Genesis Medical Center, Davenport
Lewis serves on a number of committees at GMC. She has been the only chairperson of the Clinical Guidelines Committee, which develops and reviews the standards that guide nursing practice. But her care for people reaches far beyond her institutional responsibilities. "Teaching is present in nearly every aspect of Anne's career," says Pranger. "She doesn't leave her expertise at the hospital door at the end of the day." Lewis has volunteered countless hours in the community since arriving in the Quad Cities 13 years ago. She was on the board of directors and is a past president of the Brain Injury Association, Quad Cities Chapter. She has appeared on television and radio to discuss issues like brain injury prevention through helmet use, headache management, sleep apnea and stroke. She co-founded the Stroke Support Group, which has evolved into a comprehensive outpatient program for stroke survivors and their families. She continues to provide "Stroke Savvy" education programs to numerous community groups, along with education for the Brain Tumor, Parkinson's Disease and Vertigo Support groups and the Center for Active Seniors, Inc. Her most intensive involvement has been with the AIDS Project Quad Cities, where she serves on the board of directors, has been a committee chair for the annual Red Ribbon Dinner, and speaks to parents and students about HIV and AIDS in an effort to prevent further infections and support those living with the disease. "Many of us do a lot of volunteering in our areas of expertise," says Lewis. "It's an honor to be recognized for what you bring, not only to your job, but also to the community where you live."
In 2005, the first year for the 100 Great Iowa Nurses program, six Genesis nurses received the prestigious designation: Denise Antle, ARPN, MSN, CCRN, CCNS, Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner-Critical Care, Genesis Medical Center, Davenport; Terrie Becker, LPN, Genesis Health Group; Pat Christy, RN, BSN, HNC, Manager, Cancer Program, Genesis Medical Center, Davenport; Mary Clarke, PhDc, RN, BC, Informatics Nurse Specialist, Genesis Medical Center, Davenport; Judy Pranger, MSN, RN, Director of Nursing Operations, Genesis Medical Center, Davenport; and Marilyn Willits, MSN, RN, CPHQ, Standards Nurse Specialist, Genesis Medical Center, Davenport.
