Published on March 02, 2011

11 Genesis Nurses Recognized As Great Iowa Nurses

Eleven nurses from throughout Genesis Health System are among the 100 Great Iowa Nurses for 2011.  The award recognizes nurses who have made a meaningful and lasting contribution to humanity and their profession and act as mentors to others.

The Iowa Nurses Association, Iowa Nurses Foundation and the University of Iowa College of Nursing collaborate each year to create this list, which celebrates nursing by honoring 100 nurses from around the state. Colleagues, patients, doctors, friends and family members submit nominations.

Nurses selected for this honor represent many sectors of health care, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, school and office nurses.

The Genesis nurses selected for the 2011 honor are: Cara Boswell, emergency department and ambulance service, GMC, DeWitt; Mary Chilberg, orthopaedics, GMC, West Central Park; Julie Dolan, surgical specialty, GMC, Davenport; Maggie Dubin, patient care services, GMC, Illini; Deb Fox, ambulance, GMC, DeWitt; Ann Garton, orthopaedics/patient care services, GMC, Davenport; Gary Gonner, medical/surgical, GMC, DeWitt; Sunyim Kim, health information management, Genesis Health System; Elaine Martin, surgical administration, GMC, Davenport; Peggy Schaefer, regional referral center, GMC, Davenport; Denise Westendorf, patient services administration, GMC, Davenport.

This year's 100 Great Iowa Nurses will be honored on Sunday, May 1 at the seventh annual celebration in Des Moines. Recipients from prior years are invited back to be recognized.

Genesis has had a total of 45 nurses named Great Iowa Nurses.

 "The quality of our nursing staff and the depth of quality among our nurses has consistently been recognized on both a statewide and national basis," said Judy Pranger, MSN, RN, Vice President of Patient Services and Chief Nurse Executive, Genesis Health System. "We are proud that we work with truly great nurses and because of their care, our patients benefit.''

In 2005, Genesis Medical Center, Davenport was the first regional hospital to earn Magnet designation, which recognizes the highest standards of nursing care in the United States. Genesis received Magnet reaccreditation in 2010.

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