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.

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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