The annual March of Dimes event pulled in close to $170,000, which will go to 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

Legend in Nursing
Pauline Komnenich      
ASU College of Nursing and Health Innovation

Pauline Komnenich received the coveted “Legend in Nursing” honor.  The Legend in Nursing is chosen based on outstanding contributions and dedication to nursing and community service.  The candidate must be a registered nurse with a minimum of 20 years of service and have acted as a pioneer to the advancement of the profession through political, organizational or academic process. The Nurse Legend honor hasn’t been given since 2007, when it was awarded to Peggy MacMacken from Tucson Medical Center.
 
The Gala theme, The Year of the Nurse: A Global Appreciation recognized the 2010 International Year of the Nurse which is the centennial anniversary of the death of founder of modern nursing Florence Nightingale (1820-1910).  In its seventh year, the March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Awards Gala was established to bring awareness to the critical nursing shortage throughout Arizona as well as support future nurses through scholarship funding.  March of Dimes presented checks to six educational institutions.  Arizona State University, Grand Canyon University, Maricopa County Community Colleges, Northern Arizona University, Pima Community College and University of Arizona each received $4,000 this year.  March of Dimes Arizona Chapter has awarded over 100-thousand in scholarship dollars to nursing colleges since the event’s inception.

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). 
  
This year’s presenting partners for this special event were Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and University of Phoenix.  During the event, Dr. Dan Aspery, Vice President of Health Services and Medical Director for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona and Pam Fuller, ED.D., RN, Dean of the College of Nursing for University of Phoenix, spoke about the importance of the nursing in our community as well as congratulating all of the nominees and finalists. 
 
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.

ABOUT MARCH OF DIMES:
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health.  With chapters nationwide and its premier event, March for Babies the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com/arizona or nacersano.org.

ABOUT BLUECROSS/BLUESHIELD of Arizona – Presenting Sponsor
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona (BCBSAZ), an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, is the largest Arizona-based health insurance company. The not-for-profit company was founded in 1939 and provides health insurance products, services or networks to nearly 1.3 million individuals. With offices in Phoenix, Flagstaff, Tempe and Tucson, the company employs more than 1,500 Arizonans. For information about BCBSAZ and its HealthyBlue program, an integrated program of tools, resources and services that can help Arizonans live a healthier lifestyle, visit azblue.com/HealthyBlue.

ABOUT UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX  – Presenting Sponsor
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help students balance education and life in a rapidly changing world. Through flexible schedules, challenging courses and interactive learning, students achieve personal and career aspirations without putting their lives on hold. As of May 31, 2010, 476,500 students were enrolled at University of Phoenix, the largest private university in North America. University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world.