CELEBRATING NURSES AND MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH PROVIDERS

Applekamp, Laurie
[email protected] | (405) 415-1262 [email protected] Applekamp, Laurie

Heroes in Action- Oklahoma

DATE: Thursday, November 3, 2022  |  TIME: 6 p.m.
LOCATION: Embassy Suites OK City Downtown Medical Center
ADDRESS: 741 N Phillips Ave, Oklahoma City, OK 73104
 

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Event description

The chefs, volunteers and guests who make up our Signature Chefs Events community are coming together in new, innovative ways to suport moms and babies this year.

We are following state mandated guidelines in response to COVID-19 and will not have an in-person event this year. So, we are preparing an exciting, new Virtual Gala for your 2020 March of Dimes Signature Chefs Auction experience!

We need your help now more than ever. Your support funds:

  • COVID-19 interventions and support for moms and babies
  • Programs that promote health equity for moms and babies and directly combat racial disparities in maternal and child health
  • Free virtual NICU support program for families
  • Virtual prenatal programs for moms-to-be
  • Educational programs, including live Facebook panel discussions, to get info into the hands of moms and families
  • Necessary supplies for expectant mothers including blood pressure cuffs and masks and so much more!

Support the mission

Every year, 15 million babies are born prematurely worldwide, and 1 million will die before their first birthday. Your gift helps the March of Dimes fund research, education, advocacy and programs that help more moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.

Make a Contribution

Become a sponsor

Every year, 15 million babies are born prematurely worldwide, and 1 million will die before their first birthday. Your gift helps the March of Dimes fund research, education, advocacy and programs that help more moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.

Local Contact Person, Region
[email protected] | Phone # Contact Us

EVENT DETAILS

Join us Thursday, November 3rd at the Embassy Suites Downtown Medical Center,  741 N. Phillips Avenue, Oklahoma City, 6pm (registration and reception)  7pm, (dinner/program) for the Heroes in Action Awards Gala (formerly Nurse of the Year).  We will pay tribute to nursing excellence and the tireless efforts of nurses throughout the state of Oklahoma while also raising money for the mission of March of Dimes.

At the awards event, March of Dimes will be celebrating the 13th year of honoring nursing excellence in our great state.
 

Congratulations to the 2022 Heroes in Action Finalists

Advanced Practice
Amber Morrow, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Amberlea Bradford-Elliot, Mercy Hospital Oklahoma City
Elizabeth Gardner, Duncan Regional Hospital
Nakeda Hall, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Stephanie Morris, Comanche County Memorial Hospital

Charge Nurse
Chelsea Engle, Stillwater Medical Center
Kent Kinzer, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Rhonda Johnson, Duncan Regional Hospital
Tonya Flynn, Integris SW Medical Center
Valerie Billips, Comanche County Memorial Hospital 

Critical Care
Ashley Irons, Norman Regional Health System
Blake Chelf, Integris Baptist Hospital
Melanie Davenport, Integris Baptist Medical Center
Natalie Hensley, Integris
Tiffany Dyson, Integris Health Southwest Medical Center
Rhonda Rogers, Norman Regional Health System

Education

Alana Cluck, Oklahoma State University
Charlotte Colbert, Integris Health Southwest Medical Center 
Kylah Rucker, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Paula Major, Stillwater Medical Center
Rachel Eudey, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital

Emergency 
Cherri Moore, St. Anthony Shawnee
Kim Carroll, Integris Canadian Valley Hospital
Rodney Stewart, Integris Health ED Float Pool
Shelley Reidy, Integris Health Edmond
Tiffany Worley, Integris Canadian Valley Hospital

General Medical Surgical
Alta Grace Agunos, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Jenna Frederick, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Julia Purus, Stillwater Medical Center
Keila Milam, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Mary Wallace, Integris Canadian Valley Hospital

Healthcare Technology Partner
Amanda Just, Integris Health
Donald Kern-Teller, Integris Health
Susmitha Chilukuri, Mercy Hospital Ada 

Infection Control
Haylee Peterpaul, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Heather Love, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Julie Brooks, Bethany Children’s Hospital
Mark Wheeler, OU Health
Tarisa Watson, Duncan Regional Health

Innovation
Amy Hawley, Norman Regional Health System
Paula Griffith, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Rachel Talley, Comanche County Memorial Hospital

Neonatal
Brittany Dubberstein, OU Health
Jessica Caldwell, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Kylee Turner, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
 Libby Allen, Ascension St. John Medical Center
Linda Suderman, Integris Bass Baptist Medical Center

Nursing Administration 
Amber McKinzie, Bethany Children’s Hospital
Beth Hall, Hillcrest Medical Center
Kara Rother, Integris Health
Madison Edwards, Integris Lakeside Women’s Hospital
Melissa Alvillar, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
 
Nursing Management
Brittany Ross, Integris Health Canadian Valley Hospital
Mandy Nelson, OU Health
Monica Kraft, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital
Tina Fobes, Integris Health Canadian Valley Hospital
Vicki Cantrell, Integris Health Canadian Valley Hospital

Public Health
Kathy Stilwell, Integris Southwest Medical Center
Lorenza Vasquez, Mercy Hospital Ada
Penny Ramirez, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Rachel Sykes, Duncan Regional Hospital
Sunshine Hahn, Oklahoma City Indian Clinic
 
Rising Star
Caitlin Gregg, Norman Regional Healthplex
Elizabeth Trenary, Integris Health Edmond
Jessica Knight, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Ryan Hughes, Integris Canadian Valley Hospital
Sydney Washing, Duncan Regional Hospital

Surgical Services
Alyssa Diaz, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Annie Zachariah, Integris Canadian Valley Hospital
Dawn Lyles, Integris Canadian Valley Hospital
Kimberly Evans, OCOM
Susan Milam, Comanche County Memorial Hospital

Women’s Health
Christina Thomas, Southwestern Medical Center
Jenifer Brown, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Kiersten Haney, Hillcrest Medical Center
Tina Smith, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Tonya Defoor, Comanche County Memorial Hospital

 


 

2022 HEROES IN ACTION
AWARD CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS

Registered nurses in Oklahoma that are in good standing with the
Oklahoma State Board of Nursing are eligible.
Nominee must exemplify an extraordinary level of caring and compassion in the delivery of patient care services. Nominee is perceived as a leader among peers and affects positive change in the profession, workplace and community.


ADVANCED PRACTICE
Clinical Nurse Specialist, Certified Nurse Midwife, Nurse Practitioner,
Nurse Anesthetists, and Nurse Psychotherapist.
 
CHARGE NURSE
Includes nurses in all clinical areas who function in the Charge,
Lead or Shift role.  Includes House Supervisor.
 
CRITICAL CARE
Includes adult ICU/CCU, IMC, Cath lab and special procedures, PTCA, Interventional Radiology, Cardiology, with intermediate care units.  
 
EDUCATION
Includes University/Junior College, Hospital, and Community
(schools, etc.) and Research. 

EMERGENCY
ER, flight, ambulance, pre-hospital, telephone triage and Peds ER.
 
GENERAL MEDICAL / SURGICAL
Medical, surgical, orthopedics, neurological, renal respiratory, cardiovascular, nursing dependent upon specialty for either category.

HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGY PARTNER
Recognizes a technology partner (or vendor) within a hospital setting or in the MCH Field (ex: Medical Device Equipment).

INFECTION CONTROL & OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH,
QUALITY & RISK MANAGEMENT
Nursing in IC/EH and Occupational Health Settings, Performance Improvement, Quality Management, Risk Management, Informatics, Patient Advocate, Patient Safety in Community and/or Hospital.  

INNOVATION IN MATERNAL CHILD HEALTH OR
 OTHER CLINICAL ADVANCEMENT
Recognizes an individual (nurse, doctor, researcher or other clinical provider) whose innovation has improved patient safety, quality of care and patient outcomes in the healthcare environment.  Innovation can be in the form of products, programs, projects, or interventions.

MANAGED CARE
Nursing in managed care/health maintenance organization settings and/or case management services.
 
NURSING ADMINISTRATION
Includes Consultants, CNE's, CNO's, VP's, and Administtrative Directors. 

NURSING MANAGEMENT
Clinical Director/Nursing Manager.

NEONATAL/PEDIATRIC
Nursery, general pediatric units, pediatric clinics, PICU, and NICU.
 
PUBLIC HEALTH & AMBULATORY CARE &
OTHER NURSING SPECIALTIES
Public health, clinic, office and other ambulatory care settings and/or school, government agencies, Indian health facilities, reservations, Parish, prison nursing and/or transplant coordinator, nursing caring for patients in Behavioral Health, Hospice, Home Health, Long Term Acute, Rehabilitation, etc.

RISING STAR
Nurse within the first 2 years of practice who exemplifies outstanding caring, leadership, and professionalism.
 
SURGICAL SERVICES
Perioperative, Preoperative, PACU, Day Surgery, AND/OR Endoscopy.
 
WOMEN'S HEALTH
Antepartum, Intrapartum, Maternal/Baby Care, Postpartum, and Gynecology.


 
NOMINATE

EVENT LEADERSHIP- 2022 Chair

Chair
Brandi Stewart is the Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at INTEGRIS Canadian Valley Hospital.  Brandi has been a registered nurse for 23 years with the last 7 years being in the Chief Nursing Officer role.  Brandi received her Associates in Nursing from Rogers State University, her Bachelors in Nursing from Bacone College, and earned her MBA from American Sentinel University. She has been married to her husband Rodney for 29 years. They have three children and 3 grandchildren. She enjoys spending time with her family, attending sporting events, hiking, and relaxing by the pool with a good book or podcast.

We celebrate the nursing profession by recognizing extraordinary nurses throughout our community and honoring those who make a difference in the lives of so many.

Whether serving as educators, researchers or health care providers, nurses are critical to improving the health of families, which is even more important now during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For 84 years, March of Dimes has worked to improve the health of mothers and babies. By joining us to honor the outstanding health professionals at the Heroes in Action Awards gala, you’re helping March of Dimes continue to make a tremendous impact in our community through research, education, advocacy and outreach. 

Thank you for helping us recognize deserving nurses.

 
Selection Committee Chair                  Karyl James – Mercy Hospital

Leadership Committee                       
Angela Beddor – OCOM North
Angie Kamermayer – INTEGRIS Edmond
Annette Troxell – Norman Regional Health System
Britni McGill – Norman Regional Health System
Christine McMurray – Norman Regional Health System
Cindy Leathers – Saint Francis Hospital
Cynthia Standlee – Mercy Ada
Donna Delise – Community Hospital
Elain Richardson – SSM St. Anthony Hospital
Evelyn Radichel – Hillcrest Medical Center
Jackie Aguilar – Stillwater Medical Center
Jeanne Campbell – Stillwater Medical Center
Jill Hughes – INTEGRIS Health
Kammie Monarch –
Karen Navis – Ascension St. John Hospital
Krista Reyna – McBride Hospital
Kristen Webb – Duncan Regional Hospital
Lewis Perkins – INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center
Melissa Alvillar – Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Michelle Quinalty – Alliance Health Seminole
Shaun Horton – OU Medical Center Edmond
Shelley Wells – Northwest Oklahoma State University
Stacey Decker – Lakeside Women’s Hospital
Tina Pekrul – OSU Medical Center
Vicki Cantrell – INTEGRIS Canadian Valley
 
 

BECOME A SPONSOR

The March of Dimes in Oklahoma is celebrating the 13th anniversary of nursing excellence in the most meaningful way, through partnerships with hospitals, health care facilities, organizations, vendors and individuals.

Sponsorship activation opportunities are available at a variety of levels for our Oklahoma Heroes in Action (formerly Nurse of the Year), and this is a great way to provide integration and civic engagement while paying tribute to nurses. Partnerships can be customized for this special event based on your company's marketing needs and objectives. Sponsorship opportunities

Let's connect!  For more information on how to become involved or activate your brand with the Oklahoma Heroes in Action 13th anniversary campaign, contact Laurie Applekamp, Executive Director, (405) 415-1262 or [email protected]. 

 

2021 HEROES IN ACTION FINALISTS & Winners

Finalists are selected from hundreds of applications across the 17 different categories ranging from Advanced Practice to Surgical Services are reviewed and scored by high-ranking nurse executive leaders from hospitals across the state.  Through this competitive process, three finalists within each category are then selected. The March of Dimes is proud to honor the 2021 Nurse of the Year Finalists and award winners (in bold). 


Advanced Practice
Jaymi Smith, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Julee Ann Riley, INTEGRIS Baptist
Jill Nobles-Botkin, Oklahoma State Department of Health

Charge Nurse
Kent Kinzer, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Skylar Humble, INTEGRIS Miami Hospital
Kimberly Ferguson, Mercy Hospital

Critical Care
Senen Dadulo, INTEGRIS Heart Hospital
Riley Robinson, OU Health Edmond Medical Center
Melissa Bell, Stillwater Medical Center

Education
Jennifer Sirridge, INTEGRIS Health
Karen Peters, The University of Oklahoma, College of Nursing
Stacy King, The University of Oklahoma, College of Nursing

Emergency
Shareka Jackson, INTEGRIS Canadian Valley Hospital
Courtnie Alberry- Minnear, Comanche County Memorials Hospital
Deborah Slover, OU Medical Center Edmond

General Medical Surgical
Valerie Billips, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
elizabeth Mast, INTEGRIS Canadian Valley Medical Center
Cheryl Greer, St. Anthony Hospital

Healthcare Technology Partner
Tammy Walsh, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Amanda Just, INTEGRIS Health

Infection Control
Heather Love, Comanche County Memorial
Debbie Cofer, Comanche County Memorial HospitalNecia Kimber, Stillwater Medical Center

Innovation in Maternal Child Health or Other Clinical Advancement
Rachel Talley, Comanche County Memorial
Emily Jones, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Fran and Earl Ziegler College of Nursing

Neonatal
Jessica Caldwell, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Linda Suderman, INTEGRIS Bass Health
Lindsay Dix, St. Francis Children's Hospital
Judith Toman , St. Francis Children's Hospital

Nursing Administration
Brandi Stewart, INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital
Stacey Decker, Lakeside Women's Hospital
Kammie Monarch, The University of Oklahoma Medical Center

Nursing Management
Jennifer Renner, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Dustin Myers, INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center
Mandy Nelson, OU Health

Public Health
Megan Dart, INTEGRIS Grove Oklahoma
Paula Price, Norman Regional Health System
Dawn Kimmes, Oklahoma City Indian Clinic

Rising Star
Abbie Hixon, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Sarah Robbins, Duncan Regional Health
Kyla Davis, Stillwater Medical Center

Surgical Services
Dawn Lyles, INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley
Chaillie Fleming, INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hosptial
Genevieve Zerger, SSM Health St. Anthony

Women’s Health
Tina Smith, Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Jamie DeLay, INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center
Lacy Leaf, INTEGRIS Canadian Valley Women's Center





 

View our updated event acknowledgements and waivers here.