Moffitt Announces 2020 Nursing Excellence Award Winners
Each year during Nurses Week, several nurses throughout Moffitt Cancer Center are awarded for the extraordinary service they provide to patients and the work that they do within the cancer center. These nurses excel in patient-centered care, go above and beyond at providing education to staff and have a unique approach to problem-solving. The Nursing Excellence Award has six different categories and the recipients are nominated by their fellow teammates.
Moffitt is proud to announce this year's winners and are extremely thankful for their work and dedication!
2020 Excellence in a Unique Role Award Winner Mandy Karan
What her peers said about her:
Mandy Karan, RN
"Mandy Karan works tirelessly with the surgeons, robotic vendor, operating room (OR) staff and patients daily, reflective of Duffy's Caring Factor: Mutual Problem Solving. She coordinates the education of all Moffitt staff members who work with the robotic system.Mandy is well respected by her team and all
faculty she interacts with within her role. She is kind, empathetic, professional when interacting with patients, families and staff members. She is active in her local chapter of the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses, clinical ladder, preceptor and department leader. She works with novice OR nurses and shares her knowledge without fail. She is deserving of this award through her daily practice and her commitment to her patients, our department and Moffitt."
2020 Excellence in Magnetism Award Winners - Intensive Care Unit/Progressive Care Unit (ICU/PCU) Team
What their peers said about them:
Intensive Care Unit/Progressive Care Unit Team
"The team demonstrates exemplary professional practice every day by recognizing their responsibility to patients and families during extremely uncertain times. Having that extra responsibility gives them the initiative to work on new ways to improve the care they deliver to their patients and families. The team fights to make changes when they think patients and families deserve better. The heart of their team and the dedication to enhancing the nursing practice through evidence-based practice, asking the hard questions, and finding a way to improve every day is the reason they deserve the Excellence in Magnetism award. At the end of the day not only do they fight for our patients, but to make Moffitt Cancer Center a better place."
2020 Excellence in Patient Centered Care Award Winner Leonardo Martinez
What his peers said about him:
Leonardo Martinez, RN
"Hard-working, kind-hearted, problem-solver and innovative are just a few words to describe Leonardo. Daily, he is seen collaborating with all members of the health care team to guarantee his patients and their families receive the very best care. Not only does he take the time to explain their medications, side effect management, and plan of care, he never forgets to lend a hug, laugh and smile to the patients. Patients love the fact that they can laugh, joke and smile with him but also know they can call him to get any questions they have answered promptly. He works hard every day for his patient and their families. His positive attitude and cheerful spirit are second to none. He is the true definition of Moffitt's values."
2020 Accredited Preceptor of the Year Award Winner Mayelin Torres
What her peers said about her:
Mayelin Torres, RN
"Mayelin is an outstanding nurse. Her dedication to her patients is exemplified every day with her professional and reassuring demeanor. She is a confident preceptor, ensuring that her preceptees demonstrate safe, compassionate and professional care. Her positive and constructive feedback comes with a smile. She is very active in professional development. She belongs to many committees and is always looking for opportunities to learn and teach others. She is a true inspiration and has also authored a poem called 'The Call for Courage Bell' which is a true outpouring from her heart and is displayed at each bell across all Moffit's Campuses."
2020 Excellence in Nursing Education Award Winner Valerie Burke
What her peers said about her:
Valerie Burke, MS-Ed, RN
"Valerie has a knack for teaching difficult material easily and understandably. She carries a tremendous workload with ease and grace. She never complains and is always positive. She meets every challenge with an attitude of 'let's get it done!" Her dedication and knowledge shine through along with her enthusiasm for everything she does. This nurse overcomes many challenging situations with poise, grace, Irish wit and an internal drive to always be the professional nurse educator. She is one of the best educators and so deserving of this award."
2020 Caring Story/Clinical Exemplar Winner Pamela Lowry
Pamela Lowry, RN
The Clinical Exemplar is a caring story that tells how the interactions and care of a patient or their family exhibits patient and family centered care. It is reflective of Duffy's Caring Factor.
This year's winner Pam Lowry, RN shared her story about a patient, whose only request was to stay alive and well until her daughter's wedding. Pam's story led to her selection because of her compassion and her will to make sure the patient was able to attend her daughter's special day. In her story, Pam went above and beyond, she made a way when there was none and didn't let failure stop her from reaching her goal.
At Moffitt, it is an honor to celebrate our nurses for the amazing work they do every day in helping our patients in their cancer journey.
