For the past 29 years, Oakland University’s School of Nursing and its Board of Visitors have honored Michigan’s top nurses at its annual Nightingale Awards for Nursing Excellence®.
The only event of its kind in the state, this year’s awards ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 9 at the San Marino Club in Troy. The awards were created to spotlight nurses from a variety of clinical roles who go above and beyond in caring for patients and families.
More than 500 nurses, physicians and administrators, as well as family members and nursing supporters will attend this year’s awards ceremony. This esteemed event includes an elegant sit down dinner and fish-bowl style raffle. Raffle winners have the opportunity go home with a 40” Smart TV, golf and spa packages, exquisite jewelry and other unique packages. Fox 2 News hosts Roop Raj and Oakland University alumna Amy Andrews will once again co-emcee this year’s awards ceremony.
Each of 10 winning recipients receives a check for $1,000, a solid bronze statue of Florence Nightingale and a special Nightingale ceremonial pin. Runners-up each receive a commemorative plaque and Nightingale ceremonial pin. Individuals were nominated by their peers, supervisors, friends and patients in recognition of their superior service and contributions in eight areas of expertise. The 2017 Nightingale Awards for Nursing Excellence® is presented by Beaumont Health. Other sponsors include Ascension Health, St. Joseph Mercy Health System and Detroit Medical Center.
2017 Nightingale Honorees
Advanced Practice Nursing & Research
Winner: Marcelli Gayonche Contreras, Beaumont Health - Oakwood Accountable Care Organization
Runner Up: Sharon Sawyer-Martin, DMC – Harper University/Hutzel Women’s Hospital
Distinguished Alumni
Winner: Nina Barkell, Nursing Faculty at Oakland Community College
Runner Up: Jennifer Kay Sam, Ascension – St. John Providence Hospital
Education
Winner: Kathy Jean Meloche, DMC – Harper University/Hutzel Women’s Hospital & Detroit Receiving Hospital
Runner Up: Patricia Bechtel Cady, Beaumont Health – Royal Oak Hospital
Emerging Nurse Leader
Winner: Kim G. Hand, McLaren Oakland
Runner Up: Lisa Fishwild, Ascension – St. John Providence Hospital
Executive Administration
Winner: Christine L. Bowen, DMC – Harper University/Hutzel Women’s Hospital
Runner Up: Susan M. Grant, Beaumont Health
Nursing in the Community
Winner: Selina Dallas, DMC – Detroit Receiving Hospital & Harper University/Hutzel Women’s Hospital
Runner Up: Sharon McKinzie, DMC – Sinai-Grace Hospital
Specialty Nursing
Winner: Donna Bednarski, DMC – Harper University/Hutzel Women’s Hospital
Runner Up: Bernadine Mary Sherwood, Beaumont Health – Grosse Pointe Hospital
Staff Nurse Practice (2)
Winner: Samuel A. Turner, DMC – Harper University/Hutzel Women’s Hospital
Winner: Diane Dengate, DMC – Harper University/Hutzel Women’s Hospital
Runner Up: Adam Kasten, DMC – Harper University/Hutzel Women’s Hospital
Runner Up: Laura Weidle, St. Joseph Mercy Oakland
People’s Choice Award
Winner: Susan Veltigian, Beaumont Health – Royal Oak Hospital
Runner Up: Jennifer Gray, Henry Ford Hospital – Detroit
For more information, contact Kristen Cometto in the School of Nursing at (248) 364-8723, via email at kcometto@oakalnd.edu or visit oakland.edu/nursing/nightingale.