Scholarships and grants

The March of Dimes awards community-based program grants.
Scholarships are available for graduate perinatal nurses.
The Agnes Higgins Award spotlights maternal-fetal nutrition.

2012 Nurse of the Year Award Recipients:

March of Dimes is pleased to honor nursing excellence and pay tribute to hundreds of nurses that are at the front lines of care and have had a tremendous impact on patients and their families. Each year, nurses with various specialties are nominated by colleagues and families alike. A prestigious group of healthcare professionals review applications and make award selections in a number of categories. We are happy to announce and recognize the 2012 award recipients:

Alaska

Advanced Practice: Janet Froeschle, Southcentral Foundation
Advanced Practice-Military: Amanda Bergeron, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
Behavioral Health: Denise Scholze, Providence Alaska Medical Center
Charge Nurse: Angeline Washington, Alaska Native Tribal Health Center
Community Case Management Care Coordinator: Leslie Stephens, Southcentral Foundation
Critical Care: Natalie Portner, Mat Su Regional Hospital
Education: Cary Van Dyke, Providence Alaska Medical Center
Emergency/Flight: Pam Cook, Mat Su Regional Hospital
Friend of Nursing, Ancillary: Carol Switzer, Fairbanks Memorial Hospital
Friend of Nursing, Professional: Sheron Smoyer, Fairbanks Memorial Hospital
General Med/Surgical: Karin Evans, Providence Alaska Medical Center
Hospital Case Management Care Coordinator: Brenda Lamont, Yukon-Kurskokwim Health Corporation
Legend in Nursing: Teri Kiss, Fairbanks Memorial Hospital
Legend in Nursing: Wilma Manual, State of Alaska PHN
LPN: Brandi Swanson, Wildflower Court
Maternal/Newborn: Felecia Baker, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
NICU: Kristen Caldwell, Alaska Native Tribal Health Center
Non Hospital Based Nurse: Andra Rasmussen, Southcentral Foundation
Nursing Administration: Emily Stevens, Mat Su Regional Hospital
Nursing Management: Bonnie Ezell, Providence Alaska Medical Center
Nursing Management-Military: Greta Brewster, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson
Pediatrics: Catherine Jones, Providence Alaska Medical Center
Perioperative: Bjarke Bennedsen, Fairbanks Memorial Hospital
Rehabilitation: Jan Johnson, Fairbanks Memorial Hospital
Rising Star: Jayme Schroeder, Alaska Native Tribal Health Center

Arizona

Advancing the Profession Through Evidence Based Research: Shelly Fleiner, Cardon Children's Medical Center
Clinical Educator: Karen Seifert, Mayo Clinic Arizona
Distinguished Nurse of the Year: Stephanie San Felice, Verde Valley Medical Center
Federal/Military: Robert R. Muzzy, Jr., US Air Force Reserve
Leadership: Diane Cox Maricopa, County Department of Public Health
Mentoring: Ellen O'Connor, Banner Baywood Medical Center
Patient Care-Advanced Practice Role: Judith Harris, Phoenix Children's Hospital
Patient Care-Clinical Role: Iris Delfakis, University of Arizona Cancer Center North Campus
Prenatal/Pediatric: Amy Olson, Tucson Medical Center
Rising Star: Desiree McGrew, Tucson Medical Center
Rural Nurse: Gwen Gallegos, Carondelet Health Network

Georgia

Advanced Practice: Carolyn Holder, Emory University Hospital
Behavioral Health: Ursula Kelly, Atlanta VA Medical Center
Critical Care: Sikangezile Pauline Zulu, Grady Health System
Education: Sally Lehr, Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Emergency Care: Cheryl MacMillan, Gwinnett Medical Center
General Medical: Melissa Gordon, Emory University Hospital
Hospice, Home Health, Palliative Care, Long Term Acute Care: Hazel Jackson, Atlanta VA Medical Center
Informatics, Research & Evidence Based Practice: Sarah Myers, Atlanta VA Medical Center
NICU: James Carey, Medical Center of Central Georgia
Nursing Administration: Kathy Williams, Atlanta VA Medical Center
Oncology: Tesla Graham, Atlanta VA Medical Center
Pediatric: Mary Lou Oliver, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta
Public Health: Lynn Sibley, Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Rising Star: Larry Lassiter, University Hospital
Surgical Services: Amy Fischer, Emory Johns Creek Hospital
Women's Health: Vickey Vaughan, Medical Center of Central Georgia

Massachusetts

Advanced Practice: Ann Stadtler, Boston Children's Hospital
Community Health/Public Health: Roselaine Charlucien-Koech, West Roxbury Education Complex/Boston Public Schools
Education: Rita Patnode, Brigham & Women's Hospital
Heart Award: Karen Friedman, Boston Healthcare for the Homeless Program
Neonatal: Patricia Fleck, Northeastern University
Nurse Leader: Deborah Durgin, MetroWest Medical Center
Nurse Researcher: Holly Fontenot, Boston College
Pediatric/Family Medicine: Kristen Fioravanti-Collette, Baystate Children's Hospital
Women's Health: Margaret Hickey, Brigham and Women's Hospital

Miami

Advanced Practice: Barbara Davis-Sears, Jackson Memorial Hospital
Clinical and Academic Education: Rosina Cianelli, University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies
Community/Mental Health/Ambulatory Care: Doris B. Shorkey, Miami-Dade County Health Department
Critical Care/Surgical Services: Martin Schiavenato, University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies
Emergency/Trauma: Rene Bascoy, Homestead Hospital, Baptist Health South Florida
Hospice/Home Health/Palliative Care: Linda Long, Homestead Hospital, Baptist Health South Florida
Leadership/Executive: Jacqueline Gonzalez, Miami Children's Hospital
Leadership/Manager: Violet Rhagnanan-Kramer, Jackson Memorial Hospital
Medical/Surgical: Nancy Henri, Jackson Memorial Hospital
Pediatric/Adolescent Health: Winsome Witter, Jackson Memorial Health System -Holtz Children's Hospital
Quality/Risk and Case Management/Care Coordination: Maureen Pahl, South Miami Hospital, Baptist Health South Florida
Rising Star: Maydolis Rodriguez, Miami-Dade County Health Department
Student Nurse/Graduate: Carol Tuttas, University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies
Student Nurse/Undergraduate: Raul Caballero, Brown Mackie College -Miami
Women’s Health: Yolanda Nitti, Miami Dade College

Minnesota

Advanced Practice: Lyn Ceronsky University of MN Medical Center, Fairview
Care Management: Cyrus Batheja, UnitedHealth Group/Batheja SLS
Distinguished Nurse of the Year: Barbara Bor, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare
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

Missouri

Advance Practice: Mary Ellen, Raney St. Louis Children's
Advance Practice: Thad Wilson, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Nursing
Behavioral Health: Erin Ellington, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Nursing
Case Management: Amy Heithoff-Domiguez, Heithoff Health
Charge Nurse: Christy O'Laughlin, North Kansas City Hospital
Critical Care: Bridget Brion, Saint Lukes Hospital Kansas City
Education: Gloria Newman, Mercy Hospital
Emergency/General Medicine/Surgical: Heidi Clark, Cox Monett Hospital
Infection Control & Occupational Health: Patricia Kieffer, St. Louis Children's
Long Term Care: Maria Tracy, Missouri Veterans Home Cameron
Nursing Administration: Joan Devine, Lutheran Senior Services
Oncology: Katherine Ramsay, St. Anthony's Medical Center
Pediatrics: LaToya Daughrity, St. Louis Children’s
Public Health & Ambulatory Care: Marti Burri, Heartland Health
Quality/Risk Management: Diane Hopkins-Broyles, BJC Healthcare
Student Nurse/Rising Star: Kaitlyn Karleskint, Southeast Missouri Hospital
Women's Health: Tina Bloom, University of Missouri

Nebraska

Advocacy: Mileah Nickel, Good Samaritan Hospital
Clinical Education: Jean Adair, Nebraska Methodist Hospital
Clinical Excellence: Anna May, The Nebraska Medical Center
Distinguished Nurse: Jane Hokanson, Hawks Methodist College of Nursing
Leadership: Nancy Noda, Bellevue Medical Center
Mentoring: Dani Michels, Memorial Community Hospital/Nebraska Methodist Health System Jennie Edmunson Hospital
Patient Care: Elizabeth Jacobs-Fitzgerald, Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center
Pediatric: Kimberly Peterson, Childrens Hospital and Medical Center
Rising Star: Katherine Doty, Childrens Hospital and Medical Center

Nevada

Advanced Practice: Lori Mennen-Winchell, University Medical Center
Ambulatory Care: Vida Braganza, University Medical Center
Case Management: Kathryn Lepore, Take Care Health Systems
Charge Nurse/General Medical & Surgical: Chris Lemon, University Medical Center
Charge Nurse/Specialty: Nicolette Harridge, St. Rose-Siena Campus
Critical Care: Howard Grantham, Valley Hospital Medical Center
Education: Vicki Walker, Desert Springs Hospital Medical Center
Emergency: Robin Fredeking, University Medical Center
General Medical Surgical: Monica Holcombe, Summerlin Hospital Medical Center
Hospice Nursing: Imelda Napuli, Israel Care First Home Care
Infection Control & Occupational Health: Mary Louise, Turkeri Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center
Long Term Acute Care: Maria Gatchalian, Kindred Hospital
Managed Care: Dee Dee Julien, HealthCare Partners of Nevada
Nursing Administration/Management: Oscar Borbon, University Medical Center
Oncology Nursing: Gail Langen, University Medical Center
Pediatric Critical Care: Michele Hall, University Medical Center
Pediatric Nursing: Marie Payne, Sunrise Children's Hospital
Surgical Services: Drezy Sadama, Spring Valley Hospital Medical Center
Women's Health: Rosemarie Cervantes, University Medical Center
Distinguished Nurse: Tara Brascia, University Medical Center

Oregon

Charge Nurse: Cindy Bell, Oregon Health & Science University
Emergency: Jeri Foster-Horrocks, Mid-Columbia Medical Center
Pediatrics: Allison Franco, Doernbecher's Childrens Hospital
Distinguished Nurse of the Year: Leda Isabel, Garside Tuality Healthcare
Nurse Educator: Patricia Gilbert, Mid-Columbia Medical Center
Hospice, Home Health, Long Term, Rehab & Palliative Care: Kathy Graham Gadler, Legacy Hospice
Small Hospital: Melodi Johnson, Mid-Columbia Medical Center
Women's Health: Amy Kaiser, Tuality Healthcare
Rising Star: Faisal Mutua Legacy, Emanuel Hospital
Advanced Practice: Yun Long Ong, Oregon Health & Science University
Student Nurse: Emma Roth, McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center
Nurse Leader: Nancy Simonson, St Charles Medical Center Bend
Critical Care: Kate Thomas, Legacy Meridian Park Hospital
General Medical & Surgical Services: Jennifer Zeck, Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center
Mental Health: Marianne Zundel, PeaceHealth Sacred Heart
Community Health: Charmika Schuster, Oregon Health & Science University

Oklahoma

Advanced Practice-Adult: Stephanie Mowdy, Valley View Regional Hospital
Advanced Practice-Neonate/Pediatric: Jill Nobles-Botkin, Oklahoma State Department of Health
Case Management: Sharon Smith, Mercy Health Center-Healdton
Charge Nurse: Natalie Dabelstein, Jackson County Memorial Hospital
Critical Care: Rachel Colina, Jack C Montgomery VA Medical Center
Education/Research: Liz Klingensmith, Valley View Regional Hospital
Emergency/Trauma: Terry Fulton, Valley View Regional Hospital
General Medical/Surgical: Natalie Gehring, Integris Southwest Medical Center
Hospice, Home Health, Palliative Care: Edie Graham, Integris Regency Home Care
Neonatal: Blakeley Hamit, Norman Regional Health Center
Obstetrics/Gynecology: Karen Blackburn, St. Anthony Hospital
Oncology: Mary Rottler, Integris Southwest Medical Center
Pediatrics: Pam Horne, Valley View Regional Hospital
Public Health/Ambulatory Care: Mildred Ramsey, Oklahoma State Department of Health
Quality Improvement & Risk Management: Carol Mannahan, Oklahoma City University

Orlando

Advanced Practice: Suzanne Ashworth, Orlando Health
Clinical and Academic Education: Linda Gibson-Young, University of Central Florida
Community/Mental Health/Ambulatory Care: Norma Conner, University of Central Florida
Critical Care/Surgical Services: Jami Lau, Orlando Health- Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children
Emergency/Trauma: Patty Berwager, Orlando Health
Leadership/Executives: Inna Makievsky, St. Cloud Regional Medical Center
Leadership/Managers: Dawna Hilton, Florida Hospital
Medical /Surgical: Sara Oxley, Dr. P. Phillips Hospital (Orlando Health)
Pediatric/Adolescent Health: Barbara Cometti, Arnold Palmer Hospital
Rising Star: Patrick Mirante, Orlando Health
Student Nurse/Graduate : Sigrid Ladores, University of Central Florida
Student Nurse/Undergraduate: Alexis Marano, University of Central Florida
Women’s Health: Shezel O'Neal, Florida Hospital Celebration Health

Tennessee

Advanced Practice: Sharon Karp, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
Cardiac: Ashley Delk, Centennial Medical Center
Critical Care: Jessica Stewart, Middle Tennessee Medical Center
Emergency: Chelsea Cash, Monroe Carell, Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt
Entry to Practice Nursing Education: Debra Wollaber, Belmont University School of Nursing
Graduate Nursing Education: Erin Rodgers, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
Graduate Student Nurse of the Year: Bethany Andrews-Rhoten, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
Managed Care: Mariette Williams, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
Nursing Administration: Rita Toje, Nashville General Hospital
Pediatric: Carol Huber, Monroe Carell, Jr., Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt
Public Health: Lacey Wilkins, Nurses for Newborns
Quality and Risk Management: Kim Domaradzki, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Research: Sheila Ridner, Vanderbilt University School of Nursing
Surgical Services: David Wilkerson, Sumner Regional Medical Center
Undergraduate Student Nurse of the Year: Anna Cobb, Lipscomb University School of Nursing
Women's Health: Beth Youngblood, Lipscomb University School of Nursing
Women's Health: Stephanie Munson, Middle Tennessee Medical Center

Upstate NY

Advanced Practice: Amy Vierhile, Strong Memorial Hospital
Behavioral Health: Deborah Finnell, University at Buffalo School of Nursing
Community Health/Public Health: Linda Johnson, St. John Fisher College, Wegmans School of Nursing
Critical Care: Lynn Rivers, Rochester General Hospital
Education/Research/Nurse Author: Mary Carey, University at Buffalo School of Nursing
Emergency: Theresa Vatter, Newark-Wayne Community Hospital
Geriatrics: Tobie Olsan, Strong Memorial Hospital
Home Care/Long Term Car: Pamela Paplham, Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Leadership: Katherine Norway, Strong Memorial Hospital
Legend in Nursing: Patricia Witzel, Strong Memorial Hospital
Licensed Practical Nurse: Kathy O'Brien, Strong Memorial Hospital
Medical/Surgical: Merilou Vanhoute, Newark-Wayne Community Hospital
Pediatrics: Pamela Herendeen, University of Rochester School of Nursing
Performance Management/Quality & Improvement: Sharon Hewner, University at Buffalo School of Nursing
Rising Star: Danita Edwards, Erie County Medical Center
Student Nurse: John Garza, University of Rochester School of Nursing
Women's Health: Karlene Hill, Strong Memorial Hospital

Virginia

Advanced Practice: Cassandra Roberts, Renaissance Pediatrics
Behavioral Health: Kay Kostura, Lewis Gale Medical Center
Emergency: Melissa Ratcliff, Harper Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
Home Health, Palliative Care & Hospice: Felicia Schaps, HomeChoice Partners
Lifetime Achievement: Dr. Judith A. Lewis, PhD Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing
NICU: Taylor K. Cady, Universitiy of Virginia Health System
Oncology: Robert Stone, Carilion Roanoke Memorial Hospital
Surgical Services: Cindy Hearrell, Mary Washington Hospital
Cardiology, Med Surg & Critical Care: Valerie Castle, Bon Secours St. Mary's Hospital
LPN: Edna Kaye, Donald Mary Washington Hospital
Mother & Infant Care: Susan W. Hatcher, HealthSource for Women
Nursing Administration & Leadership: Kathryn Tagnesi - CNO/VP of Nursing, Winchester Medical Center
Nursing Education: Diane Howell, Bryant and Stratton College
Pediatrics: Donna Deadrick, Carilion Pediatric Clinic
Public Health: Laureen Markland, Winchester Medical Center
Rising Star-Student Nurse: Shannon Storey, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing
Women's Health: Kathleen R. Bell, Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing

Wyoming

Behavioral Health: Nicky Castillon, Wyoming Behavioral Institute Community/Public
Health: Jacquelin Wells, Carbon County Public Health
Critical Care: Nicole Jimenez, Wyoming Medical Center
Distinguished Nursing Award: Susan Howard, Campbell County Hospital
Ellen K Taylor: Baerbel Merrill, Campbell County Hospital
Ellen K Taylor: Phyllis Schulz, Wyoming Medical Center
Emergency: Rose Branson, Wyoming Medical Center
General Medical/Surgical: Brittani Hill, Mountain View Regional Hospital
Nursing Administration: Nadine Dexter, Wyoming Behavioral Institute
Oncology: Deane Murrell, Wyoming Medical Center
Pediatrics: Juliet Medina, Ivinson Memorial Hospital
Quality/Risk Management: Victoria Hall, Cheyenne Regional Medical Center
Rising Star: Ally Cordonier, Mountain View Regional Hospital
Student Nurse: Geraghty Bernston, University of Wyoming
Student Nurse: Sarah Bieber, Casper College
Surgical Services: Alison Youngberg, Wyoming Medical Center
Women's Health: Fawn Tafoya, Cheyenne Regional Medical Center