Learn More About the 2007 Nursing Awards Recipients

Award for Nursing Excellence in an Outpatient Area
Award for Nursing Excellence in a Specialty Role
Award for Nursing Excellence in an Adult Inpatient Area
Award for Nursing Excellence in a Pediatric Inpatient Role
Award for Nursing Excellence in a Leadership Role
Patricia Morgan Award for Excellence in Oncology Nursing
James Queenan Award for Excellence in Nursing

Award for Nursing Excellence in an Outpatient Area

Brian Lopez, RN, BSN, Ambulatory Surgery, Duchossois Center for Advanced Medicine

Whether scrubbed in and assisting the surgeon or working as a circulator, Brian achieves an exceptional level of performance in nursing. He assures that appropriate implants, sutures, and instruments are available when needed. He also serves as a resource for residents and nursing staff for robotic surgery cases. Brian is a role model--always helpful to others and generous with his time. He has even come in on his off days to assist with cases that are unfamiliar to the scheduled staff. Brian is highly sensitive to the needs of patients and families. He is informative and comforting, taking time to explain the importance of laterality markings, time-outs, and informed consents. Brian's positive, cooperative attitude is inspirational to other nurses and physicians here at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Award for Nursing Excellence in a Specialty Role

Annemarie O'Connor, RN, MSN, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Since 1988, Anne has worked in a variety of roles at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Most recently, she held several positions in the Burn Center, including: staff nurse, patient care manager, interim director, and currently, nurse associate. She has been instrumental in helping the unit achieve certification and re-certification by the American College of Surgeons and the American Burn Association. As a national instructor for Advanced Burn Life Support, Anne has taught continuing education classes for firefighters, emergency medical technicians, and hospital staff. Here at the Medical Center, she teaches burn care during critical care orientation. Anne is a resource for nursing and medical staff, offering residents guidance in the management of complex cases. She has published articles and spoken nationally about burn care and burn prevention. She recently collected data to demonstrate a decrease in pressure ulcer prevalence in the Burn Center, and delivered her findings in a poster presentation at the National Teaching Institute. For the past 15 years, Anne has served as volunteer coordinator of health staff in burn camp. She also leads community programs promoting public education on burn prevention, and is currently pursuing a Family Nurse Practitioner degree.

Award for Nursing Excellence in an Adult Inpatient Area

Barbara Marion, RN, BSN, CPAN, Post Anesthesia Care Unit

Demonstrating strong assessment and clinical skills, Barb recognizes problems before they interrupt the post-operative course. She demonstrates a high level of respect for patients and families, providing timely updates and resources as needed. If a patient has a prolonged hospital stay, Barb assists the family by requesting meal tickets, parking discounts, and other helpful services. She supported the Medical Center's efforts to achieve Magnet Status by serving on the Local Practice Council and leading the PACU's perioperative committee. Barb has also helped improve patient care by working on policies and procedures for the PACU.

Award for Nursing Excellence in a Pediatric Inpatient Area

Laverne Rzyski, RN, BSN, Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

With 25 years of nursing experience, Laverne brings valuable expertise to the NICU team. For example, she developed a detailed, individualized plan of care for a premature infant who was born at 28 weeks gestation. The baby was ventilator dependent, also using a tracheotomy tube and a G-tube. Laverne collaborated with experts in physical therapy and other disciplines to provide holistic care for this child. She was instrumental in reversing oral aversion, providing visual and auditory stimuli, and helping the parents learn to care for the baby. Nine months later, the infant was safely discharged to his out-of-state home.

Award for Nursing Excellence in a Leadership Role

Jacquelyn Newsome-Ryan, RN, BSN, ONC, Manager, Hematology/Oncology Clinic

Maintaining efficient patient flow in the hematology/oncology clinic requires managing nurses, medical students, residents, fellows, more than 40 attending physicians, and a high volume of patients. Jackie's dedication, hard work, and skills are instrumental in making this happen here at the University of Chicago Medical Center. She has instituted quality improvement measures to improve patient flow in the clinic. A team player, Jackie supports her staff by collecting linen, stocking supplies, drawing blood, or completing other tasks beyond her job description when necessary. She remains flexible to the needs of patients and practitioners, often staying in the clinic until the last patient has been discharged. Jackie offers emotional support when patients receive unfortunate news. She is also valued and respected by other nurse managers. Seeking to enhance her professional knowledge and skills even further, Jackie is currently enrolled in a graduate program.

Award for Nursing Excellence in a Leadership Role

Penny Hurley, RN, MS, Special Projects

With enthusiasm, Penny offered motivation and guidance to individuals and teams throughout the entire hospital, coordinating efforts to attain the highest standards in nursing. Her exemplary leadership is evident in the University of Chicago Medical Center's recent achievement of Magnet Status. Penny was relentless in assuring that the foundation programs were in place to support the fourteen forces of magnetism. Leading the preparation of our Magnet application materials required her to communicate on many levels--working with the authors, Magnet champions, advisors, and Medical Center leadership. Penny was diligent in reviewing the massive Magnet document--from the gap analysis to the final version, which is 15 inches thick. Recently, she was also awarded Magnet Surveyor status. Penny is an advocate for nursing, never hesitating to give her highly valued time, energy, and experience when called upon.

Patricia Morgan Award for Excellence in Oncology Nursing

Patricia Morgan was diagnosed with cancer. She was a patient in one of the oncology units at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Sadly, Patricia died from this disease. Patricia's family established this award to promote professional excellence in oncology nursing practice here.

Amelia Luardo, RN, 6 SW

With warmth, compassion, and kindness, Amelia provides individualized, holistic care for cancer patients at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Patients are Amelia's top priority--even if they are not assigned to her. Amelia is valued as a team player, because she is always willing to help other nurses meet their patients' needs as well. Admired for her excellent patient and family interaction skills, Amelia tries to include family members in the plan of care whenever possible. She always focuses on the patient's best interest.

Queenan Award for Excellence in Nursing

James Queenan was a young man diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma, a malignancy of bone and soft tissue. He received his chemotherapy treatments and supportive care at the University of Chicago Children's Hospital, under Dr. James Nachman. Unfortunately, James lost his battle with the disease in 1988 at the age of 22. In memory of James, his family established an award in recognition of the wonderful care and support he and his family received from the nursing staff during his illness.

Katie Parker, RN, CPON, Comer 6

Katie provides outstanding care to children at the University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital. She participated in a team of staff nurses that identified a patient need, assessed the current state of patient services, then suggested and implemented a plan of action. As a result, our Project H.O.P.E. palliative care program was developed. This program is designed to assist patients and families through end of life care. Due to the collaborative efforts of Katie and the other nurses on this team, we are able to support patients, families, and staff more effectively during the most critical times.

Diane Smith, RN, BSN, Newborn Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

In the past several years, Diane has provided excellent care for newborns with complex medical conditions. However, patient care is just one aspect of her exceptional service here at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Fully committed to meeting the needs of patients and families in the NICU, Diane volunteered her own free time to help design the new unit. She also developed an immunization guide for parents and made it available in English and Spanish. Diane is known to form special bonds with her patients. For one infant, this meant calling in for updates and attending family meetings on her off days. She also helped the child's mother learn how to care for a tracheostomy, how to deliver tube feedings, CPR training, and proper car seat use. She even made sure the infant was dressed nicely and had appropriate developmental toys and music. This is just one of many examples highlighting Diane's proven excellence in nursing.

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