March of Dimes-2010 Nurse of the Year Awards

The March of Dimes Arizona Chapter announces its 2010 Nurse of the Year Awards winners. Presented by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and University of Phoenix, the prestigious Nurse of the Year Awards Gala honored 14 nurses and named a “Legend in Nursing,” Saturday night, Aug. 28, 2010, an honor given for the first time since 2007.

The annual March of Dimes event pulled in close to $170,000, which will support future funding for nursing scholarships in Arizona as well as benefit the March of Dimes Arizona Chapter in its pursuit to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

Winners in their respective categories are as follows:

Chamberlain College of Nursing Academic Education
Susan Stillwell, DNP, RN, CNE
ASU College of Nursing and Health Innovation

Advocacy for Patients
Kathy Manske, RN, MSN, CCRN, CHPN
Scottsdale Healthcare

Clinical Education
Suzan Miller-Hoover, DNP, RN, CCNS, CCRN
Cardon Children’s Medical Center

Community Service
Susan Stelton, MSN, RN, ACNS-BC, CWOCN
Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center

Innovation/Creativity
Helen Dempsey-Tennent, RN, MN, ARNP, FCN
Gila Mountain United Methodist Church

Arizona Nurses Association Leadership
Raymond Kronenbitter, RN, MSN, PCCN
Yuma Regional Medical Center

Mentoring
Sandra Kurtin, RN, MS, AOCN, ANP-C
Arizona Cancer Center

TriWest Healthcare Alliance Military
Meliza Harris, RN, BSN, MA
United States Air Force

Patient Care
Eric Humphrey, RN, CCRN
Mayo Clinic Hospital

Prenatal/Pediatric
Becky Bell, RN, BSN, CCBE, CLC, CLE, NIDCAP Reliable
Maricopa Integrated Health System

Research/Advancing the Profession
Barbara Wilson, PhD, RNC-OB
ASU College of Nursing and Health Innovation

Rising Star
Ashley Kinder, RN, BSN
Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center

Brookline College Student Nurse
Kimberly Harshberger, RN
St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center

Distinguished Nurse of the Year
Deborah Boyle, RN, MSN, AOCN, FAAN
Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center

Nurse Legend
Pauline Komnenich
ASU College of Nursing and Health Innovation

Pauline Komnenich received the coveted “Legend in Nursing” honor, which is chosen based on outstanding contributions, a minimum of 20 years of service, dedication to nursing and community service. The Nurse Legend honor hasn’t been given since 2007, when it was awarded to Peggy MacMacken from Tucson Medical Center.

For the third year, University of Phoenix, in partnership with the March of Dimes Arizona Chapter, offered two full-tuition scholarships to nurses pursuing advanced degrees. Helen Burson was awarded the scholarship to pursue an LPN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (LPN to BSN). The second scholarship recipient was Karen Butterbaugh, who will pursue a Masters of Science in Nursing/Health Care Education (MSN/ED).

Sponsors for the event included Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona, University of Phoenix, TriWest Healthcare Alliance, Channel 5, Jobing.com, Lovin’ Life After 50 and Watermark Video Production.