CELEBRATING NURSES AND MATERNAL AND INFANT HEALTH PROVIDERS

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

2024 Oklahoma Nurse of the Year Awards

DATE: Thursday, November 14, 2024  |  TIME: 6 p.m.
LOCATION: Riverwind Casino Showplace Theatre
ADDRESS: 1544 OK-9, Norman, OK 73072
 

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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 14th at the Riverwind Casino Showplace Theatre for the 2024 Nurse of the Year Awards Gala. Together we will honor the incredible accomplishments of Oklahoma's most talented nursing professionals.

6:00pm-registration and reception
7:00pm-dinner/program

March of Dimes will be celebrating the 15th year of honoring nursing excellence in our great state. We are honored to 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.


 

    EVENT LEADERSHIP- 2024 Chair

Chair
Brittni McGill is the Chief Nursing Officer at Norman Regional Health System. She began her career as a nurse at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at OU Children’s Hospital. In 2007, she joined the team at the Norman Regional HealthPlex’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and later transitioned through multiple leadership roles within the health system.           


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 86 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 Nurse of the Year 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                 
Melissa Alvillar-Comanche County Memorial Hospital

Leadership Committee                       
Amber McKinzie – Bethany Children's Health Center
Amy Burnett –Norman Regional Health System
Angela Beddor – OCOM 
Angie Kamermayer – INTEGRIS Edmond
Annette Troxell – Norman Regional Health System
Cathy Broome – SSM St. Anthony
Christine McMurray – Norman Regional Health System
Cindy Leathers – Saint Francis Hospital
Cyndy Bloom – Norman Regional Health System
Cynthia Standlee – Mercy Ada
Donna Delise – Community Hospital
Elain Richardson – SSM St. Anthony Hospital
Elaine Banks – Ascension St. John
Evelyn Radichel – OPQIC
Jackie Lockett – SSM St. Anthony
Jami Reed – Specialty Care Pediatrics
Jamie Barnes Polski – Norman Regional Health System
Jeanne Campbell – Stillwater Medical Center
Jill Hughes – INTEGRIS Health
Julie Hoff – OU Health Science Center
Kara Rother – INTEGRIS
Karen Navis – Ascension St. John Hospital
Krista Reyna – McBride Hospital
Kristen Webb – Duncan Regional Hospital
Linda Merkey – Nursing Consultant
MaLissa Reardon- Mercy Ada
Margo Carpenter – SSM St. Anthony
Melissa Alvillar – Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Michelle Welander – OU Health
Myka Oberlechner – OU Health
Paula Griffith – Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Penny Ramierez – Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Rachel Nabors – Norman Regional Health System
Rebecca Shepherd – Cherokee Nation Hospital
Rachelle Criger – Comanche County Memorial Hospital
Sara Raney – Norman Regional Health System
Shaun Horton – OU Medical Center Edmond
Stefanie Beavers – OU Health
Stephanie Clements – Mercy Hospital
Tarasina Compagni – Norman Regional Health System
Terra Collie – INTEGRIS Canadian Valley
Tonya Faires – Norman Regional Health System
Vicki Cantrell – OU Health
 
 

2024 Influencer of the Year

The 2024 Influencer of the Year award brought an exciting new challenge to the Nurse of the Year program. This recognition encouraged nominees to amplify their impact by raising funds for life-saving research. Thanks to their incredible efforts, many nominees raised over $4,000, advancing the mission of healthier moms and babies. Michelle Welander of OU Health earned the distinction of being the inaugural Influencer of the Year, showcasing her dedication and passion for making a difference. This award celebrates the exceptional commitment of nurses who go above and beyond in their profession and advocacy.

Lifetime Achievement Award Winner
Susan Gee

The Lifetime Achievement Award is a prestigious award given to a nurse nominated by their colleagues and peers.To be considered, the nominee must currently be practicing in the field of nursing, have a minimum of 35 years of experience, and be recognized as a nurse who consistently inspires others and demonstrates professionalism, courtesy, and respect in every interaction.

The 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient is Susan Gee, a nurse whose remarkable 45-year career has been defined by dedication, leadership, and unwavering commitment to patient care. Over the years, she has made an indelible impact at Grady Memorial Hospital, Caddo Kiowa Technology Center, and currently at Comanche County Memorial Hospital, where she has worked in Labor and Delivery for over 15 years, serving as the Charge Nurse in a unit that welcomes over 120 babies each month.

Susan’s career began with inspiration from her mother, a respected nurse who instilled in her a deep sense of compassion and excellence. Throughout her tenure in labor and delivery, Susan has been a trailblazer, from advocating for best practices to reducing primary c-sections by 50% through her efforts to limit inappropriate inductions. She has seamlessly adapted to evolving healthcare technologies, demonstrating that even after decades of service, one can continue to lead, learn, and inspire others. Her leadership extends beyond the clinical setting, where she has mentored countless nurses, fostering a supportive environment where her humor, warmth, and passion for patient safety shine.

In addition to her clinical expertise, Susan has shaped the next generation of nurses as an instructor at Caddo Kiowa Technology Center, leaving a lasting legacy on her students and colleagues alike. She continues to serve as a mentor, preceptor, and guide for young nurses entering the field. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Susan’s leadership was especially notable as she led the charge in caring for mothers with the virus and organizing immunization clinics.

Beyond her professional achievements, Susan is a devoted wife, mother of three, and grandmother of eight, cherishing her roles in family life as much as in nursing. For her profound contributions to healthcare and her enduring legacy in labor and delivery, Susan Gee is a worthy recipient of the March of Dimes Lifetime Achievement Award.
 

Congratulations to the 2024 Nurse of the Year Winners

 

Advanced Practice 

Beckett Perkins, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital 
 

Charge Nurse 

Stacey Purintun, INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital  
 

Critical Care 

Jess Mathews, INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital 
 

Education 

Vicki Johnson, Norman Regional Health System
 

Emergency  

Madison Brady, INTEGRIS Health 
 

General Medical/Surgical 

Aaliyah Herron, INTEGRIS Health 
 

House Supervisor 

Emily Watson, Bethany Children's Health Center 
 

Infection Control, Occupational Health, Quality & Risk Management  

Brandon Byrd, Norman Regional Health System 
 

LPN 

Lauren McBride, Norman Regional Health System  
 

Neonatal/Pediatric 

Katherine Bracken, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital 
 

Nursing Administration  

Paula Griffith, Comanche County Memorial Hospital 
 

Nursing Executive 

Melissa Alvillar, Comanche County Memorial Hospital 
 

Nursing Management 

Tina Edwards, INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital 
 

Nursing Innovation in Clinical Advancement and/or Healthcare Technology Partner 

Amy Hawley, Norman Regional Health System 
 

Public Health, Ambulatory Care, & Other Nursing Specialties  

Michelle Bero, Stillwater Medical Center Cardiology Clinic 
 

Rising Star 

Dakota Clayton, INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital 
 

Surgical Services 

Abbie Hixon, Comanche County Memorial Hospital 
 

Women’s Health 

Jessica Noll, OU Health  

 



 

2024 NURSE OF THE YEAR FINALISTS

Hundreds of applications across the defined categories ranging from Advanced Practice to Women's Health are reviewed and scored by high-ranking nurse leaders. Through this competitive process, finalists within each category are then determined. The March of Dimes is proud to announce and honor the 2024 Nurse of the Year finalists.
 

2024 Nurse of the Year Awards Finalists 

 

Advanced Practice 

Lindsey Bickerstaff, Lawton Community Health Center- Primary Care Clinic 

Lauren Lindemann (Basso), OU Health  

Beckett Perkins, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital 

Linda Perron, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital 

Jennifer Vasquez, Norman Regional Health System 

 

Charge Nurse 

Tonya Carver, INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital 

Adele Edmonds, SSM Health St. Anthony Hospital 

Susan Gee, Comanche County Memorial Hospital 

Patricia (Patti) Guthrie, Norman Regional Health System 

Stacey Purintun, INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital  

Gala Searcy, Comanche County Memorial Hospital 

 

Critical Care 

Katelynn Collins, Oklahoma Children's Hospital 

Melissa Heyen, Mercy  

Jess Mathews, INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital 

Jason Weger, Norman Regional Health System 

Candace Zerger, INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital 

 

Education 

Amy Deimel, INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital 

Rachel Eudey, Oklahoma Children's Hospital 

Breleigh Hughes, OU Health  

Vicki Johnson, Norman Regional Health System 

Kylah Rucker, Comanche County Memorial Hospital  

 

Emergency  

Latrecia (Nicci) Armstrong, Comanche County Memorial Hospital 

Madison Brady, INTEGRIS Health 

Shirley Font, INTEGRIS Health 

Tayler Mize, INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center 

Kinsey Toth, Comanche County Memorial Hospital 

 

General Medical/Surgical 

Ashley Bellinger, Bailey Medical Center 

Brynn Evans, OCOM Hospital 

Janette Davis, OU Health  

Aaliyah Herron, INTEGRIS Health 

Erika Regacho, Comanche County Memorial Hospital 

 

House Supervisor 

Mikayla Gathers, Oklahoma Children's Hospital 

Matthew Newcomb, INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital 

Molly Reyes, INTEGRIS Health Enid Hospital 

Kimberly Wall, INTEGRIS Health Enid Hospital 

Emily Watson, Bethany Children's Health Center 

 

Infection Control, Occupational Health, Quality & Risk Management  

Brandon Byrd, Norman Regional Health System 

Gwen Harrington, Norman Regional Health System 

Tami Inman, INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center 

Dianna Marin, Comanche County Memorial Hospital 

Stacy Sargent, INTEGRIS Health Southwest Medical Center 

 

LPN 

Marilyn Cox, Bethany Children’s Health Center 

Lauren McBride, Norman Regional Health System  

Nikki Martinez, Comanche County Memorial Hospital 

Jessica Pierce, Stillwater Medical Center 

Brandi Proffitt, Specialty Care Pediatrics 

 

Neonatal/Pediatric 

Katherine Bracken, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital 

Christina Bruster, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital 

John Karlin, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital 

Amy Smith, Comanche County Memorial Hospital 

Linda Suderman, INTEGRIS Health Enid Hospital 

 

Nursing Administration  

Laura Beck, Mercy 

Paula Griffith, Comanche County Memorial Hospital 

Heather Love, Comanche County Memorial Hospital 

Cherrylene Montano, Oklahoma Children’s Hospital 

Bobbie Tobaee, OU Health 

 

Nursing Executive 

Alonna Adair, Claremore Indian Hospital 

Melissa Alvillar, Comanche County Memorial Hospital 

Terra Collie, INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital 

Rachel Stephens, Rural Wellness Anadarko 

Michelle Welander, OU Health 

 

Nursing Management 

Connie Bond, Comanche County Memorial Hospital 

Michele Bradshaw, INTEGRIS Health Edmond Hospital  

Tina Edwards, INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital 

Jessica Ray, Comanche County Memorial Hospital 

Brian Windle, Cherokee Nation W.W. Hastings Hospital 


Nursing Innovation in Clinical Advancement and/or Healthcare Technology Partner 

Kelia Crabbe, Norman Regional Health System 

Amy Hawley, Norman Regional Health System 

Tamika Rhodes, OU Health Sciences Fran & Earl Ziegler College of Nursing 

Veronica Robbins, Norman Regional Health System 

Brenda Southwell, INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital 

 

Public Health, Ambulatory Care, & Other Nursing Specialties  

Maria Avers, Stillwater Medical Center  

Michelle Bero, Stillwater Medical Center Cardiology Clinic 

Angela Culbreath, Hillcrest Medical Center 

Lacy Eidson, Cherokee Nation Health Center 

Kristina Kriz, Comanche County Memorial Hospital 

 

 

Rising Star 

Dakota Clayton, INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital 

Amber Hobbs, INTEGRIS Health 

Alexis Pastor, Norman Regional Health System 

Angela Ramming, INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital 

Cathleen Witt, Mercy 

 

Surgical Services 

Jennifer Bales, INTEGRIS Health Canadian Valley Hospital 

Alyssa Diaz, Comanche County Memorial Hospital 

Leah Encinas, Stillwater Medical Center 

Abbie Hixon, Comanche County Memorial Hospital 

Sharon Walker, Comanche County Memorial Hospital 

 

Women’s Health 

Lacey Heidel, Norman Regional Health System 

Jessica Noll, OU Health  

Tina Smith, Comanche County Memorial Hospital 

Suzi Teague, Stillwater Medical Center 

Kellie Westfahl, INTEGRIS Health Enid and INTEGRIS Health Woodward 

2024 NURSE OF THE YEAR
AWARD CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS

Registered and Licensed Practical nurses in Oklahoma that are in good standing with the OK 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 (Does not include Relief Charge)
 
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.) 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 

HOUSE SUPERVISOR
A registered, competent, professional nurse who supervises, directs, and supports the nursing staff on all shifts. Has strong clinical and problems solving skills and acts as administrative representative of the hospital in the absence when the administrative team is not on site 

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. 

 

NURSING INNOVATION IN CLINICAL ADVANCEMENT AND/OR HEALTHCARE TECHNOLOGY PARTNER
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 or healthcare technology. Innovation can be in the form of products, programs, projects, or interventions. 
 
LPNs
LPN’s serving in roles to assist the registered nurses and doctors in a patient setting.  

NURSING EXECUTIVE
Includes Consultants, CNE’s, CNO’s, VP’s, System Service Line Directors   

NURSING ADMINISTRATOR
Administrative Directors, Clinical Directors of 3 or more units, Single Hospital Service Line Directors  
 
NURSING MANAGEMENT
Clinical Director/Nursing Manager/Unit Manager of 2 or less departments/Unit Supervisor 

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. 

 

 

Nominations for the 2024 awards are now closed

NOMINATE

BECOME A SPONSOR

The March of Dimes in Oklahoma is celebrating the 15th 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 Nurse of the Year 15th anniversary campaign, contact Laurie Applekamp, Executive Director, (405) 415-1262 or [email protected]. 

 

View our updated event acknowledgements and waivers here.