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Cavanaugh presented with nursing excellence award by Susan Hamner Ambulatory Care Ambulatory Care Services held the annual recognition and presentation luncheon for the Jane Rothaermel Excellence Award March 11. Each year, Ambulatory Care Services recognizes a registered nurse whose professional achievement and contributions exemplify excellence in ambulatory care nursing.  This award was established in 1995 to the honor and memory of Jane Rothaermel, who was the nursing manager of Medical Surgical Subspecialities. Jane is remembered fondly by those who worked with her, not only for her excellent leadership skills and professionalism, but also for the compassion and caring that she demonstrated on a daily basis. This year’s nominees for the award were: Peggy Anthony, R.N., Carolyn Cavanaugh, R.N.,  June Darby, R.N.,  and Angela Raney, R.N. At the luncheon, Dave Neff, administrator for Ambulatory Care Services, and Sherry Gillespie Miller, clinical director, read excerpts from the nominations for each of the nominees.  All nominees received a certificate and a corsage in recognition of their nomination. Carolyn Cavanaugh, patient educator at Storm Eye Institute, was selected as this year’s recipient. Cavanaugh was nominated by a number of caregivers with whom she works. Excerpts from Cavanaugh’s nominations include: “Carolyn personifies excellence in nursing in the ophthalmic field. Her professional growth is evidenced by her numerous accomplishments in patient education, both in the clinic setting and in the community. She interacts well with staff in a true team spirit, and mentors peers and colleagues by sharing her expertise and knowledge.  She has given numerous presentations to other nurses, technicians, pharmacists, patient educators, educators of the visually handicapped, school children, ministers, Lions Club members, various church groups, and patients on local, state, and national levels.  “Her article on Pseudotumor Cerebri has been published in Advance for Nurses, and is also available online. Her second article, “Making a Difference through Education in the Life of the Patient with Pseudotumor Cerebri” has been published in the July-September 2002 issue of The Journal of the American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses.  “The American Society of Ophthalmic Registered Nurses has requested to publish her project ‘Journey to Prevent Blindness’ in a future edition of their professional magazine, Insight.” In addition to an engraved plaque and a floral bouquet, she will have the opportunity to attend a professional nursing meeting this year.  Her name has also been added to the Jane Rothaermel Excellence Award perpetual plaque, which will hang in a place of honor in Storm Eye Institute this year.   Catalyst Online is published weekly, updated as needed and improved from time to time by the MUSC Office of Public Relations for the faculty, employees and students of the Medical University of South Carolina. Catalyst Online editor, Kim Draughn, can be reached at 792-4107 or by email, catalyst@musc.edu. Editorial copy can be submitted to Catalyst Online and to The Catalyst in print by fax, 792-6723, or by email to petersnd@musc.edu or catalyst@musc.edu. To place an ad in The Catalyst hardcopy, call Community Press at 849-1778.