Return to Main Menu

Excellence in nursing leadership recognized Ambulatory Care Services held its annual recognition and presentation luncheon for the Jane Rothaermel Award for Excellence in Nursing Leadership Nov. 23 at the Wickliffe House.    Each year, Ambulatory Care Services recognizes a registered nurse whose professional achievement and contributions exemplify excellence in leadership in ambulatory care nursing.    This award was established in 1995 to honor the 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,” said Sherry Gillespie Miller, clinical director.   This year’s nominees for the award were: June Darby, R.N., former manager, medical surgical specialties; Cynthia Fitzgerald, R.N., pain management; Kathy Salter, R.N., diabetes educator, adult primary care; and Louan Russ, R.N., clinical care coordinator, pediatric specialties.   At the luncheon, Dave Neff, administrator for Ambulatory Care Services, and Gillespie Miller, read excerpts from the nominations for each of the honorees. All nominees received a certificate and a corsage in recognition of their nomination.   Louan Russ, Rutledge Tower Pediatric Specialties, was selected as this year’s recipient. She was nominated by two of the registered nurses who work with her.     The nominations stated “Louan has helped create many positive and profound changes within our clinical area. She has done this in a number of ways, including supporting and championing the use of Practice Partner (electronic medical record) in her clinics and by successfully increasing the clinic to 13 specialty areas.   “This was a huge project to undertake and Louan has done a fantastic job. During these changes, our patient load increased tremendously, but our staff only increased by one. In the end, no one has quit and everyone appears to be happy. Louan mastered it all.”   In addition to her leadership and communication skills, “Louan has helped create a culture of nursing excellence by inspiring our staff to go the extra mile in making a child feel special. She will often drop in to a triage room to give a child a sticker, blow bubbles, or just say, ‘hi.’ The Fish! philosophy is an important part of Louan’s mentoring us, but she has also mentored us through encouraging our professional development.” Russ is a member of the Oncology Nurses Society and is on the planning committee for the local chapter’s conference. She has obtained clinical certification in oncology, as well as obtaining certification in behavioral research. She was a team leader for the American Heart Association’s Little Hearts Walk, was a camp nurse for Camp Happy Days, and was a participant in the Cystic Fibrosis Walk.   In summary, Russ “has created many positive and profound changes in our clinical area, taken risks, worked through many difficulties, modeled the Fish! philosophy, encouraged her staff’s professional development, and has been a great communicator. Through this example, I believe our care of the pediatric population has been transformed.”   In addition to receiving an engraved plaque and a floral basket, Russ 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 pediatrics this year. December 10, 2004