National Nurses Week is May 6-12, 2012 with the theme: RNs as Leaders. In 2006, Bray LaDow, Special Events Coordinator for the Florida/Miami Marlins contacted Willa Fuller, Executive Director of the Florida Nurses Association (FNA) about honoring nurses for Nurse’s Week at a Florida Marlins game at a date near Florence Nightingale’s birthday (May 12th). Although all FNA members were invited those recognized and attending the annual Marlins baseball game were predominately from South Florida. Jill Tahmorressi, RN, BSN, MBA, President of District V (Miami-Dade County) and an ADN graduate of Miami Dade College acknowledged the FNA District 5 award recipients out on the field during the Marlins pregame show.
Hospitals tend to celebrate Nurse Day/Week more than the academic settings. For example at Miami Dade College semester classes usually end in April prior to Nurse Week but this year classes continue in May. All Miami Dade College faculty and students will be honored Nurse Day Monday, May 7. Hospital celebrations can range from one day to one week with events 
honoring nurses throughout the week. Thus, South Florida hospitals were encouraged to submit their “Nurse of the Year” in addition to the FNA District award recipients for the Marlin May baseball game.
honoring nurses throughout the week. Thus, South Florida hospitals were encouraged to submit their “Nurse of the Year” in addition to the FNA District award recipients for the Marlin May baseball game. During the early years, each nurse honored was provided one game ticket plus a guest ticket. In 2008 every nurse who purchased a ticket received a $5.00 stadium dollars (courtesy of District V FNA) to be used for food, drink or merchandise. Last year Carol Petrozella, EdD, RN, professor at Miami Dade College was named Nurse of the Year at the 1st Annual FNA South Region symposium, April 2011. Although Carol was nominated for the Nurse Educator award, she received the highest number of votes of all the award nominations and was the 2011 Nurse of the 
Year. However, Carol was unable to attend the May 2011 Florida Marlins game so she will be honored at this year’s Miami Marlin’s game. In addition to Carol, five Miami Dade College nursing faculty (Miami Dream Team) received the 2011 FNA South Region Community Action Award for their extensive commitment and dedication for community involvement at the 1st Annual FNA South Region Symposium: Marie O. Etienne, DNP ARNP, PLNC, Annette R. Gibson, MSN, Med, RN, Helen Bagwandin, EdD, RN, FCN, Pauline Kerr, ARNP-BC, MSN and Lenora Yates, Ed, ARNP. FNA/ANA members, Amy Pettigrrew, PhD, RN, CNE ANEF, Dean, and Patricia R. Messmer, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN nominated these professors for the awards.
Year. However, Carol was unable to attend the May 2011 Florida Marlins game so she will be honored at this year’s Miami Marlin’s game. In addition to Carol, five Miami Dade College nursing faculty (Miami Dream Team) received the 2011 FNA South Region Community Action Award for their extensive commitment and dedication for community involvement at the 1st Annual FNA South Region Symposium: Marie O. Etienne, DNP ARNP, PLNC, Annette R. Gibson, MSN, Med, RN, Helen Bagwandin, EdD, RN, FCN, Pauline Kerr, ARNP-BC, MSN and Lenora Yates, Ed, ARNP. FNA/ANA members, Amy Pettigrrew, PhD, RN, CNE ANEF, Dean, and Patricia R. Messmer, PhD, RN-BC, FAAN nominated these professors for the awards.This year three esteemed nursing faculty will be honored for their 
achievements at the 2nd Annual FNA South Region Symposium to be held on April 14, 2012 at the Signature Grand in Davie, Florida. Yamina Alvarez, DNP, RN for Nurse Educator Award, Marie O. Etienne, DNP, ARNP PLNC for Advanced Practice Nursing Award and Constance Miller for Community Action Award. All three professors along with Carol will be honored at the Pregame festivities at the new Miami Marlins ball park with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Miami Marlins and a photo op with Billy the Marlin. To show their support, 100 Miami Dade College administrators, faculty, students and staff have purchased tickets to the Miami Marlins vs. the New York Mets on Saturday May 12 which happens to be the birthday of the Founder of Modern Nursing Florence Nightingale (May 12, 1980-August 15, 1910). Nightingale’s 
obituary appeared in 2010 New York Times, “Few lives have been more useful than hers” with a memorial established in London, England.
achievements at the 2nd Annual FNA South Region Symposium to be held on April 14, 2012 at the Signature Grand in Davie, Florida. Yamina Alvarez, DNP, RN for Nurse Educator Award, Marie O. Etienne, DNP, ARNP PLNC for Advanced Practice Nursing Award and Constance Miller for Community Action Award. All three professors along with Carol will be honored at the Pregame festivities at the new Miami Marlins ball park with a Certificate of Appreciation from the Miami Marlins and a photo op with Billy the Marlin. To show their support, 100 Miami Dade College administrators, faculty, students and staff have purchased tickets to the Miami Marlins vs. the New York Mets on Saturday May 12 which happens to be the birthday of the Founder of Modern Nursing Florence Nightingale (May 12, 1980-August 15, 1910). Nightingale’s obituary appeared in 2010 New York Times, “Few lives have been more useful than hers” with a memorial established in London, England.