RNs Receive 12th Annual Nursing: The Heart of Healthcare

Nov 4, 2002

2002 Nursing: The Heart of Healthcare award winners.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. � Nursing: The Heart of Healthcare Awards ceremony celebrated its 12th year of recognizing the contributions of outstanding registered nurses to their patients, communities and profession on Friday, Nov. 1, 2002, with its annual banquet.

The event was held at the Westin Crown Center Hotel, Kansas City, Mo. This year's program was co-sponsored by Cerner and KU Med sponsored the reception that was held before the banquet. Larry Moore, KMBC - TV 9 news anchor, was the program's emcee. This year's award winners were:

• Verna Aeschliman, RN, BSN, Staff Nurse, Hamilton County Health Dept., Syracuse, Kan.
• Judith Curran, RN, BSN, Director of Women & Children Services, Salina Regional Health Center, Salina, Kan.
• Patricia Dalrymple, RN, MSN, CHPN, Regional Palliative Care Team Coordinator, Providence Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan. Dalrymple lives in Basehor, Kan.
• George Ann Eaks, RN, BSN, MN, Director - Cray Diabetes Clinic, KU Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan. Eaks lives in Overland Park, Kan.
• Brian Ghafari-Naraghi, RN, formerly Neuromuscular Research Nurse, KU Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan. and currently director of clinical services at Northcare Hospice and Palliative Care.
• Wenche Malcolm, (first name is pronounced Vanka) RN, Outreach Educator, Hospice Care of Kansas, Wichita, Kan.
• Stephen Pontoski, CRNH, Hospice Supervisor, Stormont-Vail HealthCare, Topeka, Kan.
• Julie Routhieaux, RN, BSN, MSN, Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist, Children's Mercy Hospital and Clinics, Kansas City, Mo. Rothieaux lives in Olathe, Kan.
• Dianna Swatsenbarg, RN, Operating Room Nurse, Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Lawrence, Kan.
• Kaaren Witte, RN, BSN, Staff Nurse, Kingswood, Kansas City, Mo.

The award winners were selected from more than 350 Heart of Healthcare nominees from the Kansas and Kansas City metropolitan area. Established as a public service by the University of Kansas in 1989, Nursing: The Heart of Healthcare is celebrating 12 years of annually recognizing outstanding registered nurses. Nominations are accepted from their patients, colleagues, supervisors, families and friends.

A selection committee composed of civic, health care, business leaders and previous year's awardees selected the 10 winners. Every nurse who was nominated received a certificate of recognition.

Over the past 12 years, there have been more than 4,500 nominees and 100 winners. Among the winners are school nurses, oncology nurses, Red Cross volunteers, public health nurses and nursing founders of programs that serve patients and their families. In addition to honoring the nominees, the program is designed to promote the image of nursing in the community and the vital role that nurses play in health care today.

For further information, contact Kari Ziblut, 913-588-1616, or visit the KU School of Nursing online at www2.kumc.edu/son.