The Great 100 Nurses Foundation has released its list of the top nurses in Arkansas and half of the caregivers honored are University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) nurses.
The UAMS nurses recognized encompass numerous backgrounds and specialties in research, administration and practice. To see the UAMS nurses honored, visit uamshealth.com/greatnurses.
The Great 100 Nurses Foundation has honored nurses in Louisiana, North Carolina, Texas and Oklahoma. It was founded in Louisiana more than 30 years ago by PK Scheerle and advocates for nursing through support for nursing scholarships and research.
This is the first year the foundation has recognized Arkansas nurses. Honorees were selected based on their concern for humanity, their contributions to the profession and their mentorship of others.
“Our nurses are vital to UAMS providing excellent patient care,” said Mary Helen Forrest, MNSc, RN, chief nursing officer for UAMS Medical Center and who was included as one of the top nurses in the state. “It’s rewarding to see so many of them recognized for their hard work and dedication.”
The 2017 honorees were recognized at an April 11 dinner ceremony at Embassy Suites in Little Rock. Virginia Trotter Betts, president and CEO of HealthFutures Inc., was the keynote speaker.
Several UAMS nurses honored hold faculty positions in the UAMS College of Nursing, which plays a vital role in educating future nurses in the state.
The college provides undergraduate, master’s and doctorate nursing degree programs to more than 700 students. It offers the only Doctor of Philosophy in Nursing program in the state for nurse researchers and educates the largest number of nurse practitioners in the state.
“The UAMS College of Nursing provides exemplary and comprehensive educational programs to nursing students, thanks to the efforts of our wonderfully talented faculty and staff,” said Patricia A. Cowan, PhD, RN, dean of the College of Nursing. “I’m happy to see their tireless efforts to ultimately improve health care outcomes for Arkansans honored in such a prestigious manner.”
The UAMS nurses honored by the Great 100 Nurses Foundation are as follows:
Jocelyn S. Aguon Kimberly E. Gardenhire Laura K. Phillips
Traci F. Altman Melodee L. Harris Susan B. Porter
Julie Atkins Amy L. Hester Librada A. Ramirez
Brittany Beasley Tennille L. Hill Anja Rassmann
Tina L. Benton Edward H. Horton Sarah J. Rhoads
Claudia Jean Beverly Delia L. James Christina L. Rone-Weaver
Stephanie A. Blackwood Cheryl F. Jones Samantha J. Rose
William S. Bratton Sara L. Rowe Jones Pamela D. Royal
Cynthia J. Brown Christina A. Ketchum Sherrie A. Searcy
Tammy Burr Leanne L. Lefler Judith E. Seidenschnur
Barbara D. Byrd Cathy J. Lennartz Brook M. Scalzo
Hannah Cater Lance K. Lindow Kaylee C. Sisoukrath
Melonese A. Clarke Amy L. Overton McCoy Deborah A. Spadoni
Bennie J. Craft Jean C. McSweeney Penny Ward
Cynthia Crone Christina L. Miller Jill C. Warner
Susan T. Erickson Keith S. Moll Mary Jane Willard
Mary Helen Forrest Angela D. Norman