Congratulations to the March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Award Winners

The March of Dimes recently recognized sixteen nurses at the inaugural Miami-Dade and Monroe Nurse of the Year awards dinner. These unsung medical heroes, representing a wide spectrum of specialties were honored for their tireless work providing care, comfort, and support to their patients.

 

 

Raquel is a well respected nurse practitioner in pediatric surgery, and the chairperson of the Advanced Practice Nursing Council. One of her proudest achievement is her project “Nurse Practitioner Job Satisfaction: Looking for Successful Outcomes” which she hopes to promote the future growth and delivery of quality healthcare. She has received numerous awards, research grants and scholarships.

 

 

 

 

Shakira is passionate about nursing exemplified by her current pursuit of a PhD in nursing. She developed an evidence-based program called the Breastfeeding Initiative to provides education to staff nurses, physicians and patients. Since the program’s inception, the percentage of mothers who pump has more than doubled, and Shakira has been recognized as an emerging and global leader in lactation consulting.

 

 

 

Marjorie is a Field Case manager who coordinates and advocates for medical care of injured workers to enable the patient to achieve independence. An active humanitarian, she has travel to Haiti and Dominican Republic to bring emergency food and medical relief, and co-founded the Literary Souls Book Club that provides educational mentorship to underprivileged children and promotes literacy in poor local communities.

 

 

 

Guillermo has made significant contributions in clinical nurse education, professional development, and advanced research, and inspires students as an adjunct professor at Florida International University in the Bachelor’s and Master’s nursing programs. In 2009, he co-authored an abstract on the simulation project with University of Miami Simulation Team that was published in the Journal of Simulation and Healthcare.

 

 

Cindy provides and develops injury prevention education to community based groups, schools, and businesses. She was appointed to the Florida Injury Prevention Advisory Council by the Governor and

State Surgeon General. She is a member of Mothers against Drunk Drivers, and 5000 Role Models of Excellence Program whose mission is to intervene in the lives of male youth to provide alternatives from a life of crime and violence.

 

Annalyn highly values being a NICU nurse and has lectured both locally and internationally on neonatal care, and mentored many nurses to pursue advanced degrees. Her passion for those less fortunate is exemplified by her participation in the Minority Health International Research Training program focused on the effects of grief and autism on family members, and she has volunteered at a camp for children on ventilators.

 

 

 

As a transport/flight nurse, Marie provides safe stabilization and transport of ill patients and those suffering from traumatic injuries. She has served in many leadership roles that include the National

Disaster Medical System. Her talents include assisting with the creation of an online publication-Air Ambulance Weekly and ensuring that family members trust that the team will provide the best care

for their loved ones.

 

 

Martha is Director of Clinical Services where she supervises and educates nurses, nurse aides, and administrative personnel. Her objective is to better train personnel, and maximize the health impact for

those who are disadvantaged and vulnerable with dignity and care. She was the 2008 and 2010 Employee of the Year at Asher Healthcare and is a member of the Oncology Nurses Association.

 

A visionary Chief Nursing Officer, Denise participated on the team to open the first non-replacement

hospital in Miami-Dade in 35 years. Through the years, her leadership resulted in patient and family

satisfaction for both the Emergency Department and Inpatient services at the 99th percentile and the model of patient and family centered care has resulted in National Quality Measures at the top percentile of performance.

 

 

 

 

Pamela is the School Health Program Director where under her leadership the Satellite Schools Initiative was created to address the number of schools lacking health services. As a result, 146 additional schools received health services and students with chronic health conditions were identified and assessed. She serves as chair for the Public Health Nursing Council and recently published “The Choking Game”.

 

Myrna has a strong sense of advocacy and support for her staff and patients delivering expert care and interventions to halt the progress of disease. She serves on the Unit Practice Council where she serves as

preceptor and mentor for new nurses and students. Myrna is an executive board member in the Philippine Nurses Association and she volunteers in health centers in India where she is known as the “Nurse from Jackson Hospital.”

 

 

Alexandria exhibits leadership and compassion in her position as a Clinical Staff Nurse in the NICU and has served as Team Leader and Preceptor for new and experienced nurses. A strong advocate for family-centered care, she gains satisfaction from taking care of critically ill and premature infants and helping families through challenging times in the NICU. She is a team captain for March of Dimes March for Babies.

 

Aubrey is a emerging nurse leader enrolled in the BSN to PhD program. Her studies have been dedicated to addressing HIV/AIDS and other health disparities affecting men who have sex with men through her clinical immersion activities, coursework, and research. Aubrey was recently awarded the Kirschstein

National Research Service Award for Individual Predoctoral Fellows in Nursing Research.

 

 

 

 

 

Students at University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, Valerie earned the Edgar Hall Nursing Scholarship and achieved President and Provost Honor role. She volunteers at a camp for children with family members with cancer.

Sophia has received numerous academic, research and service awards. She founded “Hope for Haiti’s Children,” which raises funds to create a public education and

healthcare system in Haiti.

 

 

 

 

 

As Charge Nurse of the Maternal Infant Child Care Unit, Sara oversees staff education and competencies

within the unit. She developed an emergency drill program which includes infant abduction prevention, mock codes, and OB emergency drills. One of her many skills include computerized monitoring and

documentation of medical records. Her volunteer time is spent creating Memory Boxes for families that suffer a loss.