Nurses’ Week Features Magnet Moments
National Nurses Week is observed in United states form 6th to 12th May of each year, to mark the contributions that nurses make to society. Vector illustration

Nurses’ Week Features Magnet Moments

Sarasota Memorial celebrated Nurses’ Week from May 6 to 12 with an array of activities honoring our exceptional nursing team. The organization continued its tradition of recognizing each unit’s Nurse and PCT/MST of Excellence, along with other notable nurses across the organization. Here’s a summary of highlights from the special week.

SMH-Sarasota Nurses of Excellence Ceremony

Chief Nursing Officer Jean Lucas joined SMH patient care leaders in honoring the Sarasota campus’ incredible caregivers. See photos from the special event below.

SMH-Sarasota’s 2023 Nurses of Excellence! CLICK HERE for the list of unit-based honorees and comments from their peers.

SMH-Sarasota’s 2023 PCTs/MSTs of Excellence! CLICK HERE for the full list of honorees and comments from their peers.

Jennifer Bonamer, right, honored the organization’s Clinical Scholars, who recently completed vital research projects thanks to a fellowship grant from the Sarasota Memorial Healthcare Foundation. With Jen is Morgan Dettmer, left, who completed a research project, “Prevention of Transition Shock Among Newly Graduated Nurses: An Evidence-Based Practice Project.” Not pictured are Clinical Scholars Taylor Szmania of Medical-Respiratory, who completed the “Standardization of Evidence-Based Practices for Generalist Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Insertion and Maintenance” project; and Michelle Nalley, Medical Care, who conducted the “Evaluation of a Phenobarbital Protocol for Severe Alcohol Withdrawal on Patient and Nursing Safety Outcomes” project.

The winner of this year’s “Distinguished Nurse Research and Innovation Award” was Bridget Drafahl of the Mother-Baby Unit, pictured at left, who has displayed outstanding leadership in research and quality improvement initiatives at SMH. Bridget was instrumental in the effort to ensure the hospital was the first in the state of Florida to earn Level 3 Verification for Maternal Services from the Joint Commission due to our high level of resources and expertise. With Bridget are Abby Olsen, center, of the Delivery Room and Tamela Fonseca of the Research Institute.

Above: SMH-Sarasota Chief Nursing Officer Jean Lucas, right, congratulates the 2 lucky winners of a prize drawing for tickets to the upcoming Magnet Conference in Chicago: Courtney France of 6ET, left, and Kimberly Maynard, 5ET (center).

Above: Vivien Cruz of the Nurse Residency Program, right, honored the Clinical Coaches of Excellence, who play a pivotal role in novice nurses’ transition from academia to a professional role. From left are SMH-Sarasota Chief Nursing Officer Jean Lucas with honorees Leah Robinson, Elliott Farlow, Cameryn Bowers, Cynthia Gillett, Terria Gibbs and Richard Cigich. Not pictured: Kaley Waldrop, Kaitlin Pike, Maya Cantley, Billy McConahay and Deborah Adams.

SMH-Venice Nurses of Excellence Celebrations

SMH-Venice had a full array of events for Nurses’ Week. Check out the photos below of campus leaders presenting Nurses of Excellence Awards. And CLICK HERE for the full list of winners, including those not pictured.

Cath Lab: Douglas Hoffay, RN

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