(MARTINSBURG, W.Va.) -- West Virginia University Hospitals-East’s City Hospital honored three members of its nursing staff on Friday as part of National Nurses’ Week 2010.
Keeping with this year’s theme "Nurses: Caring Today for a Healthier Tomorrow”, Barbara Sherman, interim vice president of patient care services at City Hospital, presented the Ginny Jones Memorial Nursing Award, the Outstanding LPN Award and the Outstanding Nursing Service Technician Award during a reception held in the 8th floor classroom.
Jennifer Cain, a registered nurse on the 5th floor medical surgical unit, was presented the Ginny Nursing Award. This award, established in 1988 by City Hospital nurse managers, is given annually in memory of Ginny Jones, a City Hospital staff nurse from 1962 to 1987.
Cain has been employed at City Hospital since 2001, serving as a nurse tech on weekends and holidays while attending nursing school. Following graduation, she joined the medical surgical department where she is now a Clinician III registered nurse.
As a co-worker stated when nominating Cain, “Jennifer is always efficient, professional and caring. She goes the extra mile to help patients, families and co-workers. Not only is she compassionate and a hard worker, but she also works well with all disciplines to ensure the patient is getting his or her needs met.”
“The Ginny Jones Award personifies ‘the best of the best’ in nursing,” stated Sherman during the awards presentation. “As the recipient of this award, Jennifer is being recognized for her demonstration of devotion to her work, her patients, her co-workers and to City Hospital. Please join me in congratulating Jennifer for having achieved this honor, and to acknowledge the contributions she has made and continues to make to our hospital, our health system and the nursing profession,” she added.
The Outstanding LPN Award winner was Christine White, a nurse in the one day surgery department at City Hospital. White, who has worked at City Hospital for over 20 years, received several nominations by her peers.
According to Sherman, White’s co-workers describe her as an exceptional LPN who is very compassionate, caring and understanding to patients and their families. She is a team player who is willing to help her co-workers, and has a reputation of being a positive role model and an outstanding nurse.
Sherman presented the Outstanding Nursing Service Technician Award to Claire Wagner, a technician on the obstetrics unit. Wagner was described by co-workers on the 7th floor as being dependable, professional and having an excellent bedside manner with her patients. She has continued to work full time while attending nursing school and will soon become a registered nurse.
“It’s important that we take time out during National Nurses’ Week to thank, recognize and acknowledge our outstanding nursing staffs for all that they do,” Sherman said, adding, “When you read the comments written about all of our award nominees and winners here today, it’s a reminder of how vital our nurses are to our health system and the patients we serve.”
Annually, National Nurses’ Week begins on May 6, marked as RN Recognition Day, and ends on May 12, the birthday of Florence Nightingale, founder of nursing as a modern profession. It is an opportunity for hospitals and health systems nationwide to recognize nursing staff.
Photo Cutline: Claire Wagner, Outstanding Nurse Technician Award winner, Barbara Sherman, interim vice president of patient care services, and Jennifer Cain, 2010 Ginny Jones Memorial Nursing Award recipient are pictured during the Nurses’ Week awards ceremony at City Hospital. Christine White, Outstanding LPN Award winner was unavailable for the photo.
