Moffitt Celebrates Excellence During the 10th Annual Nurse of the Year Ceremony
Since 2013, Moffitt Cancer Center has annually recognized and celebrated its nurses through the Honored Nurse and Nurse of the Year Award Ceremony. Nurses receive acknowledgment for their exceptional performance in nursing practice, leadership and accomplishments.
The awards are based on an Olympic-style system. Nurses are placed into five categories: Inpatient, Outpatient, Partners in Patient Care, Perioperative and Treatment. Each category has bronze, silver, gold and platinum medals. The top-ranked medalists from each of the five categories are voted on for the Honored Nurse Program’s Nurse of the Year by a committee of nursing peers. The process is blinded and kept anonymous until the ceremony.
This year, 419 nurses were awarded medals, the most to date.
Meet the 2023 Nurse of the Year recipients:
Abraham Zentai
Inpatient Nurse of the Year, Abraham Zentai
Abraham Zentai is recognized for his dedication to ensuring safe, high-quality patient care. When tasked with assuming the role of a clinical leader, he willingly embraced the challenge. His colleagues have expressed a sense of confidence when he takes charge, assuring them that everything will run smoothly during their shifts. Zentai demonstrates patience and attentively addresses the concerns of patients and their families. He truly embodies the essence of a Moffitt nurse.
Amy Martinez
Outpatient Nurse of the Year, Amy Martinez
Amy Martinez received the Outpatient Nurse of the Year award for exemplifying Moffitt’s nursing values. Her uplifting demeanor and exemplary conduct make her a role model for fellow nurses and team members alike. She consistently demonstrates compassion, respect and empathy in every interaction with patients, earning her recognition as a genuine patient advocate. She consistently involves the patient and family in the plan of care, fostering collaboration and encouraging creative problem-solving.
Maria Trice
Partners in Patient Care Nurse of the Year, Maria Trice
Maria Trice personifies the core nursing values. Her innovativeness shines through as she devises diverse methods and levels to enhance complex, patient-centered care for the entire staff. She possesses a distinctive understanding of both patient and staff needs. Continuously seeking avenues to enhance communication and collaboration with other departments, she dedicates herself to developing educational initiatives. She consistently goes the extra mile for her colleagues, patients and others.
Cathy Donahue
Perioperative Nurse of the Year, Cathy Donahue
Cathy Donahue is recognized for her qualities of respect, dependability, compassion and knowledge. Her unwavering integrity positions her as a genuine role model. Donahue seamlessly incorporates all of Duffy’s Caring Factors into her interactions with both patients and peers. When attending to her patients, she takes the time to listen, maintaining a composed, positive and professional communication style. Her organizational skills and forward-thinking approach contribute to her ability to empower others to reach their full potential. She genuinely cares about both the well-being of patients and the success of the team.
Lisa Lapanus
Treatment Area Nurse of the Year, Lisa Lapanus
Lisa Lapanus is a detail-oriented nurse who provides high-quality care to all her patients. She provides positivity, hope and encouragement to her infusion patients, and she is thorough with her education. Lapanus ensures patient comprehension through the teach-back method. A reliable and flexible team player, she demonstrates compassion and determination. She consistently goes above and beyond for both her patients and peers.
