Salute to Nurses to honor nursing professionals

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Congratulations to everyone involved! Salute to Nurses to honor nursing professionals | News-Leader.com | Springfield News-Leader

Tuesday in Springfield, six local nurses and nursing professionals will vie for the titles of Nurse of the Year and Nurse Educator of the Year at the first southwest Missouri Salute to Nurses.

The event — 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday at University Plaza Convention Center in Springfield — will honor the six finalists and grant scholarships and gifts to them and nine others nominated for the title.

The finalists include Bonnie Clair and Sylvia Speer of CoxHealth, Susan Watson of St. John’s/SBU School of Nursing, Sharon Pea**** of Springfield Public Schools, Cynthia Teas of Camp Barnabas and Jeff Ziegler of Arc of the Ozarks.

The Nurse of the Year will receive two round trip airline tickets in addition to the gift baskets of items from local businesses given to all finalists.

Other awards to be granted include Nurse Educator of the Year, Lifetime of Compassion, Community Outreach, Advancement of Nursing, and Inspiration Award.

Honorable mention awards will be presented to Patricia Auston of St. John’s Mercy Villa, Karen Young of CoxHealth. Charlotte Roberds of Springfield Public Schools and Jamille Twedt of Skaggs Regional Medical Center.

Nursing student scholarship finalists include Stephanie Bell of College of the Ozarks, Amber Carpenter and Kayla McIntosh of Cox College, Micah Ford of College of the Ozarks and Lynnde Houtz of Ozarks Technical Community College.

Salute to Nurses was launched in May during the annual Nurses Week celebration by the News-Leader. Health care workers, patients and the general public were encouraged to submit online nominations through early July.

The Missouri State Board of Nursing reviewed more than 200 nominations for 151nurses from southwest Missouri before selecting all the finalists.

“We are thrilled to join forces with many of the area health care providers and nursing education programs to bring to Springfield this outstanding recognition event,” said News-Leader President and Publisher Tom Bookstaver.

“Not only are we able to honor the dedication and commitment of this community’s nursing professionals, we partnered with the Missouri State Board of Nursing to provide an award process that brings credibility and professionalism with each decision.”

Nurses honored at the luncheon event will receive gift baskets and every attendee will also receive a gift bag.

“There has been tremendous support from the business community for this event,” Bookstaver said.

Guest speaker at the luncheon will be Lori Scheidt, executive director of the Missouri State Board of Nursing.

“The board was proud to participate in the salute ...,” she said. “We applaud all the nominees for their many positive contributions to the nursing profession.”

The formal luncheon is a ticketed event and more information is available by calling 836-1153 or e-mailing salute@news-leader.com.