DAISY Nurse Leader
We award two DAISY Nurse Leaders a year. We take nominations from co-workers describing the impact the nominee has on staff and patient care.
Professional Nursing Awards
Every years during Nurses Week, the Center for Nursing Excellence presents the Professional Nursing Awards. All 5 award are very special.
Awards of Excellence
There are 3 awards presented for Awards of Excellence. These awards are sponsored by the UAMS Medical Center Auxiliary in an effort to celebrate and honor UAMS staff.
Nurse Remembrance
The Center for Nursing Excellence also established Nurse Remembrance to recognize deceased UAMS nurses and nursing students.
Professional Nursing Awards
Excellence in Advanced Practice Award 2024
Erin Kindy, APRNSICU/Surgical ServicesErin was nominated by Mary K. Kimbrough. The UAMS SICU takes care of the some of the sickest and most injured surgical patients in the state of Arkansas, and Erin has been integral in the care of many, if not all, of these patients. We had a young patient with a devastating […]
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Betty Casali Transformational Leadership Award 2024
Jami Travis, Nursing DirectorCritical Care DivisionJami was nominated by Garrett Kubic, Clinical Services Manager <pJami exemplifies what it means to be transformational leader and is a personal mentor for many nurses and leaders. She actively demonstrates to me what a good and transformational leader is by making it a priority to actively listen to the […]
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Excellence in Nursing Education Award 2024
Cynthia Onstott, Curriculum Development Specialist, Clinical EducationCynthia was nominated by Shannon Finley During new employee orientation, Cynthia advocates for nurses progressing up the clinical ladder at UAMS and offers real-life insights into the versatility of the nursing profession. As an educational specialist, she is responsible for assessing, developing, and evaluating clinical training programs, including integrating […]
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Outstanding Community Service Award 2024
Lauren Wegener, RNNurse EducatorIDHI SANE ProgramLauren was nominated for all of her leadership and continuous volunteer efforts in forensic nursing that serves as a Community Service project. Lauren’s continuous volunteer efforts are demonstrated through her role as a co-founder and secretary of the Arkansas Forensic Nurses Association, which was founded in 2021. As part of […]
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Awards of Excellence and Professional Nursing Awards
Mary Helen Forrest Legacy Award 2024
Donna Elrod, PhD, RN,Associate Chief Nursing Officer Donna was nominated by Heather Alverson. Donna has worked in the organization since 1989. She went to Vanderbilt for 5 years and then returned in 1995 when she started in front line staffing and then went into her role in clinical education as a CNS, supporting the oncology […]
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Advancement of Nursing Practice Award 2024
Melanie Mason, RNNeonatal Intensive Care UnitMelanie was nominated for a quality improvement project she led. Melanie is the resource nurse for the NICU. Vancomycin and Gentamicin are commonly used antibiotics in the neonatal population and need close adherence to timed dosing to ensure the accuracy of therapeutic drug monitoring and achievement of desired therapeutic level. […]
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Mary Helen Forrest Legacy Award 2023
Tammy Gillham, RN, CCRN, TNCC, CDFH4 – Trauma/SICU/CVICUTammy was nominated by Carol Brizzolara. Tammy has been a registered nurse at UAMS for 37 years. She began her nursing career in the critical care unit, the former SICU, on the 2nd floor in the Central Building. Early on, she took on leadership roles in the SICU […]
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Advancement of Nursing Practice Award 2023
Kristen Phonvilai, BSN, RN IV, RNC-NICNeonatal Intensive Care UnitKristen was nominated for her leadership in a quality improvement project. Thermoregulation is a keystone of neonatal care. Regardless of weight or gestational age, hypothermia at birth is a significant risk factor for mortality. Kristen has been involved in a quality improvement to decrease the incidence of […]
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