Southwestern Colorado Area Health Education Center recently announced that nominations are being accepted through Jan. 15 for the eighth annual Nightingale Luminary Awards, which recognizes up to six outstanding area nurses each year at the Henry Strater Theatre.
The Nightingale Awards event was founded in 1985 to honor nurses who best exemplify the philosophy and practice of 19th-century nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale.
Registered nurses throughout the state are nominated through solicitation by the Area Health Education Centers system. Each region hosts a local event for nominees and finalists – the luminaries – who are selected, and the State Selection Committee determines award recipients.
Last year, more than 100 people attended the event, and fundraising efforts yielded about $1,000 for the Nightingale Community Nursing Scholarship fund.
“Our goal is to recognize excellence in the nursing practice in Southwest Colorado and encourage nurses to strive for excellence,” said Kathleen McInnis, AHEC executive director.
Two registered nurses can be nominated for two categories: clinical practice and non-traditional roles. Nominees will be judged according to advocacy, leadership and innovation.
Six nurses represented Southwest Colorado at the state level last year, including: Susan Caudle, Jody Lamb and Nikole Young for the clinical-practice category, and Sara Carver, Amanda Harrison and Terri Schmitt for nontraditional roles.
To nominate a nurse for this year’s awards ceremony, visit www.nightingaleluminary.awardsplatform.com.
AHEC also promotes its Star Awards and “Art and Science of Nursing” art auction at the event, and will honor a “rising star” novice nurse and “shining star” expert nurse. Last year, Bobbi Lock was “rising star” and Martha Anchando was “shining star.”
Over the past seven years, the program has raised more than $2,950 and provided eight scholarships to second-year nursing students. Roger Youngs and Tracy Beanland, second-year nursing students at Southwest Colorado Community College, were awarded scholarships at last year’s event.
Southwest Colorado Area Health Education Center provides support and coordinates programs for communities, health professionals and students in Archuleta, Dolores, Hinsdale, La Plata, Montezuma, Ouray, San Juan and San Miguel counties.
This year’s ceremony is scheduled for March 15 at the Henry Strater Hotel, 699 Main Ave., with the statewide award ceremony to follow May 12 in Denver.
For more information, call 426-4284.
fstone@durangoherald.com
