Internal Nursing Awards

Nurses may be nominated by their colleagues, physicians, or patients. The award was established to recognize nurses who demonstrate excellence and leadership in their role and practice setting. The recipients are selected by the awardees from the previous year based on the Magnet® domains of Transformational Leadership; Structural Empowerment; Exemplary Professional Practice; New Knowledge, Innovations and Improvements; and Empirical Outcomes. A ‘Rookie of the Year’ Award is also established for nurses newer to the organization or to nursing practice that are seen as rising stars. Additionally, a ‘Distinguished Magnet Nurse of the Year’ award is given each year to a nurse who fully encompasses all the Magnet® components in their professional practice. An Interprofessional Team Award is also given to recognize the great work of other disciplines that work as a team with nursing services.

Nurses who receive these awards are role models for nursing excellence, provide excellent care in a professional and competent manner while demonstrating a holistic approach to caring. They have personal qualities that enhance practice and relate to patients, families, and their peers. They participate in quality, research, and strive for professional development through certification and education. They are nurses who truly advocate for patients and their families.

No Excellence in Nursing Awards were given in 2022 due to planning for our Magnet Redesignation/Site Visit.

2023 Excellence in Nursing Awards Recipients

Distinguished Magnet Nurse of the Year

• Brooke Beck MSN, RN, CCRN

Transformational Leadership

• Jeremy Wilson RN
• Mary Marlen MSN, RN, RN-BCM

Structural Empowerment

• Cheryl James BSN, RN

Exemplary Professional Practice

• Rhonda Mense BSN, RN, CAPA

New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements

• Lindsey Gause MSN, RN, RN-BC

Empirical Outcomes

• Donna Esterlen MSN, RN

Rookie of the Year

• Cassandra Schmaltz RN
• Danielle Barnes BSN, RN

Interprofessional Collaboration Award-Transitional Care Clinic

• Karla Dean MSN, RN, CEN, PCEN
• Jennifer Schmulbach BSN, RN
• Denis Huelsmann BSN, RN, CEN
• Melissa Boschenreither RN
• Michael Geisler (Pharmacy)
• Dr. Omer Badahman (Medicine)
• Michelle Looney MSN, RN
• Nicole Moll BSN, RN
• Cindy Wilson MSN, RN, NE-BC, CPHQ
• Natasha Seger (Laboratory)

Recognizing Individual Nursing Achievements

The Outstanding Leadership Award is intended to recognize directors, managers, and supervisors at Memorial Hospital: Belleville & Shiloh, who are role models and consistently exceed expectations. All directors, managers and supervisors were eligible provided he/she has worked at Memorial Hospital for at least one year and has received a formal Performance Appraisal.

Recipient of the 2023 Outstanding Leadership Award

• Brooke Beck MSN, RN, CCRN

Recipients of the 2022 Outstanding Leadership Award

• Jennifer Durbin MSN, RN-BC
• Natosha McEvers MSN, RNC-OB, RNC-LRN