Danielle Prenevost, March of Dimes, (612) 326-9444, dprenevost@marchofdimes.com

Gillette Children's Specialty Healthcare nurse wins Distinguished Nurse of the Year

Recognized for her forty-plus years of experience, March of Dimes honors Barbara Bor the 2012 Distinguished Nurse of the Year Award.  Bor was recognized for her dedication to preventing infection.  She is the Infection Prevention Coordinator at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare. 

“Barbara has been able to unite many disciplines in a concerted effort to promote patient safety through infection prevention,” said Paula Forté in the nomination of her colleague.  “Barbara’s ability to inspire others, regardless of their roles or titles, to act on behalf of patient safety has created many important and lasting changes throughout Gillette.”

Bor promotes hand hygiene with nursing staff as the heart of patient care.  Her career includes developing new curriculum and teaching about bioterrorism post 9/11 while she was a nurse at Regions Hospital.  Bor also honed her skills while working in the Bone Marrow Transplant program at the University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview.

March of Dimes celebrated Nurse of the Year winners in 15 categories at a dinner and awards program Saturday, October 27, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis.  Nurse of the Year winners all display great leadership skills and have made significant contributions to their community and to the profession of nursing.  

Additional winners include:

Advanced Practice – Lyn Ceronsky, University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview

Care Management –Cyrus Batheja, UnitedHealth Group / Batheja SLS

Education & Research – Sue Sendelbach, Abbott Northwestern Hospital

Leadership – Paula Forté, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare

Mental Health – Leslie Larson, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare

Neonatal – Wendi Baldwin, North Memorial Health Care

Pediatric – Sarah Conlin, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare

Perioperative – Katherine Houle, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare

Public Health/School Nurse – Janet Lowe, St. Paul Public Schools

Rising Star – Michelle Langer, Regions Hospital

Rural Health – Peggy Gerhardt, Cambridge Medical Center

Staff Nurse - Critical Care – Ellen Johnson, Regions Hospital

Staff Nurse - General Care – Lauren Harmeyer, Regions Hospital

Women's Health – Karen Sonnenburg, St. Francis Regional Medical Center

Distinguished Nurse of the Year – Barbara Bor, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare

More than 300 nurses from across the state were nominated by patients, colleagues, friends and family.  Nominees filled out an application in order to be considered for the award.  Applications were blinded and scored based on credentials, certifications and nursing education, their proudest outcomes, leadership, professional associations and achievements.

Attendees at the ceremony were inspired by the story of two nurses who have developed a lifelong bond.  Watch the video.  March of Dimes thanks Fairview Health Services and the 2013 Nurse of the Year Committee Chair Cheryl Douglas for producing this video.

Nurse of the Year benefits the March of Dimes mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.  Nearly 500 guests attended the third annual event which raised more than $100,000 for the March of Dimes.

Nurse of the Year is sponsored by Allina Health, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Cigna, Fairview Health Services, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, HealthPartners/Regions Hospital, Hennepin County Medical Center, Maple Grove Hospital, North Memorial Health Care, St. Cloud Hospital and UnitedHealth Group.

The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, 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 or nacersano.org.  Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

##