---

E-mail to a friend | Print This | Select Text Size:

The power and potential nurses have to make a positive impact on patients and the profession were on display May 7 at the Nursing Spectrum Excellence Awards Gala at Drury Lane Theatre in Oakbrook Terrace, Ill.

The Chicago area has no shortage of RNs who have made meaningful contributions to nursing.

“Those honored tonight can, and I expect will, change the world,” said Cynthia Vlasich, RN, BSN, director, Education and Leadership, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, and keynote speaker at the event, which included nearly 400 attendees.

In addition to honorees from local facilities, 30 Nursing Excellence finalists were celebrated during this time-honored National Nurses Week event.

Compelling stories of nurses who have made true differences, be it in the community, the lives of their patients, or among their peers, were shared as the finalists gathered on stage to be recognized. At the end of the evening, the 2009 winners in the categories of Advancing and Leading the Profession, Clinical Care, Community Service, Management, Mentoring, and Teaching were announced.

For the winners, who go on to a national pool from which six national Excellence Awards winners will be selected, this honor is more significant than a night at a glamorous gala and a beautiful award.

To see photos of the event, log on to Nurse.com and check out the Photo Galleries section.

“You take with you a responsibility that is vital to the future of nursing,” Vlasich said. “A responsibility to build the level of and expand your scope in nursing. And you have a responsibility to stretch out your hand to those who follow.”

Advancing and Leading the Profession
Jane Llewellyn, RN, PhD, NEA-BC
Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer, Associate Dean for Practice
Rush University Medical Center
Chicago

Using her values as a compass, Llewellyn makes patient safety and excellent nursing care the driving force in her leadership philosophy.

“We start every meeting by talking about how we are using our values to improve patient care at Rush,” she said during her acceptance speech.

Llewellyn furthers a commitment to excellent patient care by ensuring nurses have adequate staffing, supplies, and knowledge to provide excellent care. She said the fact her staff recognized and appreciated her commitment to their growth was the highlight of receiving the award.

“This award means the most because it comes from Rush nursing staff,” she said. “It’s a great reflection on the fabulous Rush nurses who make my job really easy.”

Clinical Care
Karen M. Ottaviano, RN, BSN, OCN, ONS
Radiation Therapy Trainer, Clinical Staff RN, Unit-Based Educator
Provena Saint Joseph Hospital
Elgin, Ill.

Integrating oncology nursing standards into all areas of her practice has helped Ottaviano earn a reputation of being smart, supportive, and forward thinking. Her nominators lauded her critical thinking, advocacy, and mentoring skills.

She has helped fellow nurses expand their clinical skills by teaching the ONS radiation course and was one of the first 35 nurses nationally to initiate this course.

Her nominators wrote about how Ottaviano is loved and respected by nurses and patients alike, and in her acceptance speech it was obvious she reciprocated those feelings.

“I think there are so many great nurses out there that it’s hard to believe this,” she said of receiving the award.

Community Service
Lynnel Rosier, RN, BSN, ONC
Registered Nurse
MacNeal Hospital
Berwyn, Ill.

Ever humble, Rosier thanked her colleagues for supporting her community service efforts.

“I want to acknowledge my peers and thank my manager for giving me so much time off to do community service,” she said.

From the victims of the tsunami in Sri Lanka to patients aboard the African Mercy Ship, Rosier’s actions have helped patients around the globe.

Yet, in spite of her world travel, Rosier found inspiration close to home during the Nursing Spectrum gala.

“Being here and hearing what these people do, it’s just amazing to be in a room with peers who do so much,” she said.

Management
Jolene Albaugh, RN
Director of Surgical Services
Adventist Bolingbrook (Ill.) Hospital

As director of surgical services at the first hospital to be built in Illinois in 25 years, Albaugh had a huge task ahead of her.

No one would argue that preparing a surgery center based strictly on construction plans, hiring and training an entire staff, and writing departmental policies and procedures from scratch is an enormous undertaking. But thanks to her determination and consistency, Albaugh created a successful department and earned the respect of her colleagues.

“Many people contributed to my nomination,” she said. “And because they think that I’m so special, it’s a great feeling and a great accomplishment to be recognized.”

Mentoring
Lori Hedges, RN, MS, APRN, BC-PCM, AOCNS
Advanced Practice Nurse, Pain and Palliative Care
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center
Chicago

Hedges’ enthusiasm for nursing was apparent when she bounded on stage to received her award and exclaimed, “This is fun!”

It’s this passionate and inspiring nature that makes Hedges such an outstanding mentor.

As a leader at her facility’s pain and palliative care service, she created a mentoring program that was multipronged and focused on patient outcomes. She created the Comfort Squad, a program that helped nurses become unit-based experts in pain and palliative care and has helped nurses attend the End of Life Nursing Education Consortium.

“It’s special to be recognized for doing the work I do because it’s phenomenally important,” she said.

Teaching
Beverly Wendell, RN, MS, GCNS-BC
Clinical Nurse Educator
Edward Hospital
Naperville, Ill.

Wendell has become known for her skill at making learning a fun and memorable experience. By tailoring her teaching style to each learner’s needs, she is able to share her vast knowledge and develop critical thinking skills in others.

Though her style and results were celebrated by her nominators, Wendell shares the credit for her success as a nurse educator.

“You can teach anything as long as you have the leadership and support behind you,” she said.

Jennifer Thew, RN, BSN, MSJ, is the National Nurse Editor for Nursing Spectrum.

---

To comment, e-mail editorIL@nursingspectrum.com.