On May 9, during National Nurses Week, Bon Secours Hampton Roads hosted its inaugural Nursing Appreciation Gala, to bring together Bon Secours nurses for fellowship, community and an awards celebration. With the end of the COVID-19 pandemic in sight, it was important for Bon Secours to ensure this important workforce was recognized during National Nurses Week (May 6-12) for all of the work they do tirelessly, day in and day out.

 

“At Bon Secours, nurses are the heart of our organization,” said Pat Davis-Hagens, market president, Bon Secours Hampton Roads. “National Nurses Week honors their contributions and sacrifices and reminds us to thank the medical professionals who keep us healthy.”

Nurses are essential members of America's healthcare workforce, who provide care through every stage of life, working with patients at their most intimate and vulnerable moments. “We are hosting our first Nursing Appreciation Gala to honor those who serve our ministry and our communities. Additionally, we are thrilled to present some exceptional nurses with special awards which were selected by their peers,” said Cassie Lewis, RN, DNP, CPHQ, ACNP-BC, Chief Nurse & Quality Officer, Bon Secours Hampton Roads.

“The national nursing shortage has impacted Hampton Roads, like many other areas in the state. At Bon Secours, we are working hard to recruit, retain and support our nurses across the market to build a strong workforce coming out of the pandemic,” continued Lewis. “In the last year, we are proud to say that we have reduced registered nurse turnover by almost 30 percent.”

At the Gala, leaders presented the first annual Bon Secours Hampton Roads 2023 Nurse Exemplar Awards, which recognize excellence in nursing in five categories and a category to recognize a non-nurse who exemplifies outstanding support of nursing. Winners included:

  • Transformational Leadership Award: Nurse Manager or Director who stimulates and inspires followers to both achieve extraordinary outcomes and, in the process, develops their own leadership capacity. Katie Collins, Amy Drake, Felicia Harris
  • Structural Empowerment Award: Direct Care Nurse, Clinical Coordinator, or Educator who is involved in shared-leadership and decision-making structures and processes that establish standards of practice and address opportunities for improvement. Twila Lipscomb, Jane Best, Dalina Walker
  • Exemplary Professional Practice: a nurse whose practice is evidenced by effective and efficient care services, inter-professional collaboration, and high-quality patient outcomes. Jonathan Daughtrey, Deanna Crutchfield, Melissa Jones, Amanda Horton, Brittaney Moore
  • New Knowledge, Innovation, and Improvement: a nurse who conscientiously integrates evidence-based practice and research into clinical operational processes.  The nurse leads innovations in patient care, nursing, and the practice environment to establish new ways of achieving high-quality, effective, and efficient care. Charlene Smith
  • SAGE Award: The SAGE Award is an acronym for someone who: Significantly impacts the life and career of others; Advisor that influences and shapes the career of others by sharing wisdom, experience, and offering opportunities and possibilities; Guides others through choices in their career path toward leader development; Enlightens and challenges others to grow and take risks acting as a role model. Naomi Fletcher, Eunsil Lee, Andrea Reese
  • Outstanding Partners in Nursing Award: a non-nurse who consistently exemplifies the mission and core values of Mercy and is a nursing advocate by demonstrating significant support of the nursing profession. Dr. Armando Wyatt, Michelle Martin, Lori Hickman, Cindy Taylor

To learn more about becoming a Bon Secours nurse, visit https://careers.bonsecours.com/us/en.