Awards

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Nurses work tirelessly at all levels in healthcare, in both clinical and administrative capacities. There are nearly 2.7 million registered nurses in the United States, and 2.2 million of them are actively employed. Despite their constant presence in the healthcare setting and invaluable contributions to patient care, their efforts are sometimes under appreciated, their skills and compassion often taken for granted. At Cleveland Clinic, we strive daily to continue our legacy for top quality nursing, as well as make every effort to acknowledge those who excel in helping us meet that goal.

 


Across Cleveland Clinic hospitals, nurses are consistently the largest employee group. To recognize their invaluable contribution to patient care, we have a robust group of awards honoring those within our institution.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Hats off to a dozen nursing professionals who earned the Lifetime Achievement Award. More than 11,000 nurses work in the Cleveland Clinic health system in inpatient, outpatient, rehabilitation and home care fields. The winners of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award epitomize the commitment to providing compassionate care and service. They are guided by our principle of “Patients First.”

Many nurses were nominated from across the Cleveland Clinic health system by hospital employees, physicians, patients and volunteers. Each one should be commended for a job well done! The 2012 Lifetime Achievement Award winners follow in the footsteps of many dedicated nurses who have served patients at Cleveland Clinic since 1921. We are proud to introduce this year’s winners!

2012 Lifetime Achievement Award Winners

Megan M. DiFranco, BSN, RN»

Megan M. DiFranco
Marymount Hospital
Intensive Care Unit

“When I was 14 years old my grandmother was diagnosed with lung cancer. It was the first time I watched someone I loved die. I sat by her bedside and watched the hospice nurse make her comfortable. That was the moment I realized that I wanted to be a nurse. My first semester in nursing school, my grandpa got very sick. Again I sat by the bedside: This time I was making him comfortable while reading my nursing books. When a patient dies that I have cared for it brings me back to the last moments with the ones that I have lost. Each and every day is a gift with a purpose, and the career that I chose constantly reminds me of this.”

Mary Ann Dominick, MSN, RN, CNP»

Mary Ann Dominick
Main Campus
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

“I became the nurse practitioner I am today because of the people I work with. Teamwork is key, whether we’re attending a complex delivery, stabilizing a new admission or post-op patient, caring day to day for a NICU patient or working to get an infant and family ready for home. Care of the critically ill infant extends to the families. I enjoy daily contact with them as we work together to ensure the best care for their baby! Working in a NICU can be very demanding and busy, but each day I see my coworkers putting the patient first, going the extra mile and giving all their compassion to the infants that have been entrusted to our care. It makes me proud to be a part of the Cleveland Clinic family!"

Crina V. Floruta, MSN, CNP, CWOCN»

Crina V. Floruta
Main Campus
Digestive Disease Institute—Colon and Rectal Surgery

“The best part of my job is taking care of patients and being able to make a difference in their lives. I enjoy the excitement of working in a surgical area—not knowing what is waiting for you in the exam room in the outpatient clinic. It’s also rewarding to get a note or phone call from a patient five years later just wanting to let you know they are doing great. I enjoy my work very much, and I consider myself very fortunate to be able to work with and learn from such world- renowned surgeons and practitioners. I am blessed to work with caring colleagues.”

Iyaad M. Hasan, CNP»

Iyaad M. Hasan
Main Campus
Taussig Cancer Institute

“I’ve been in nursing for more than 13 years. I have been blessed to have worked with US Public Health Service in relation to immigration health and emergency preparedness during the troubled times after 9/11. I joined the Cleveland Clinic in 2004. In 2007, I became the director of the Cleveland Clinic Tobacco Treatment Center. It’s one of a few such centers that currently exist in the United States. The Tobacco Treatment Center has been instrumental in supporting Cleveland Clinic’s efforts to promote a smoke-free environment. According to Ohio's Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance survey, we’ve seen tobacco use in Cuyahoga County decrease from 20.7% in 2005 to 15% in 2009. I left the Tobacco Treatment Center in 2011 and joined the Taussig Cancer Institute in administrative duties as the Midlevel Manager. I also help direct Taussig's internal tobacco cessation program and our new survivorship programs."

Kathleen M. Hill, MSN, RN, CCNS »

Kathleen M. Hill
Main Campus
Surgical Intensive Care Unit

“I have always wanted to be a nurse. My parents encouraged me to start my career with a college degree, unusual at the time. This made all the difference at the beginning of my career. As I pursued a graduate degree, my husband Dave provided unwavering support of my goal. He is still my finest advisor. I work with a tremendous talent pool of clinical nurse specialists and with an extraordinary staff in the surgical ICU. Our successful collaboration produces innovative solutions to patient care problems. I am an advocate for the bedside nurse, and by helping the nurse, I help the patient and their family."

Sarah Kiscoe, BSN, RN»

Sarah Kiscoe
Euclid Hospital
Nursing Administration

“Taking a position as the Coordinator of Nursing Quality & Accreditation in 2010 was the best career move ever. I love the diversity of my job and the interaction with all the nursing and clinical staff. I have learned a lot from listening and discussing healthcare issues with staff, patients and families. I am very involved in our shared governance: Our nursing staff have become more accountable to nursing practice through shared governance involvement. I love the autonomy of my job and the trust of my chief nursing officer."

Jodi Krizmanich, BSN, RN»

Jodi Krizmanich
Main Campus
Respiratory Institute

"I began my nursing career at Cleveland Clinic in 1991 as a nurse associate. I became a staff nurse in 1992 after completing my BSN at the University of Akron. I worked on the orthopaedic unit and continued to develop my nursing experience by working in various areas, primarily palliative medicine. In 1996, I joined the Pulmonary Department (currently known as the Cleveland Clinic Respiratory Institute) and worked as a bronchoscopy procedure nurse. In 2004, I became the nurse manager for the sections of allergy/immunology and pulmonary medicine. I continue in the role of ambulatory nurse manager for the Respiratory Institute. I am extremely proud to work at Cleveland Clinic. I am very thankful for the employees, co-workers and leaders that I have worked with over the years. I can honestly say that I have learned something from someone daily!"

Brenda Mullenax, RN»

Brenda Mullenax
Marymount Hospital
Medical/Surgical Unit

“I have worked at Marymount Hospital for the past 19 years in medical/surgical units. I was first inspired by my grandmother, who was an unlicensed midwife and nurse, helping families in the country. She inspired me to become a nurse and help others. One of the best parts of my job is educating and mentoring new nurses as a Performance Based Development System coach. I enjoy helping new nurses problem solve and prioritize, then serving as a resource to them after their orientation as I watch them grow and develop into wonderful nurses. In this age of multiple specialists, I view myself as the coordinator of patients’ care and advocates for them. My greatest fulfillment is in helping my patients to heal and their grateful comments as I put my patients first."

Lorann Murphy, MSN, RN, PMHCNS»

Lorann Murphy
Lutheran Hospital
Behavioral Health

“I began my nursing career at MetroHealth Hospital on a medical/surgical unit. I then worked at University Hospitals in med/surg. We did primary nursing, and I always picked the psychiatric mental health patients. During that time, we had a clinical nurse specialist from behavioral health that would come to our floor and work with both staff and patients. I wanted her job! I went back to school to get my master's degree in psychiatric mental health. Since then, I’ve worked in several nursing roles and took a few years off to have a family. Eventually, I landed at Lutheran Hospital as the Clinical Nurse Specialist for behavioral health. I am finally the clinical nurse specialist that I originally wanted to be! I have so much support from my behavioral health team. When I have an idea to improve our department, they fully support and encourage my endeavor.”

Christine F. Nelson, BSN, MSN, APRN»

Christine F. Nelson
Lakewood Hospital
Senior Care Assessment Center

“I found my interest in geriatrics while in my undergraduate nursing studies at the University of Toledo. After earning my MSN from Case Western Reserve University, I received the position in which I now work in the SeniorCare Assessment Program. We provide a holistic evaluation of older people experiencing changes in their memory and cognitive functioning that affect daily living. The best part of my work is teaming with other professionals who are all dedicated to treating older adults and their families. Lakewood Hospital supports us and allows us to care for our elders in a dignified and respectful way. I am honored to work with and for the older population: They have much to teach us. It is humbling to learn of their struggles and how they have risen above them and carry on."

Gwen Print, MSN, RN»

Gwen Print
Fairview Hospital
Progressive Coronary Care Unit

“When I was 12 years old, I was hospitalized for foot surgery. I had an incredible nurse that took care of me as though she had known me all of my life. She helped a nervous young girl through a very scary time, and I knew that I wanted to do the same for someone else one day. As a nurse manager, I have the privilege of working with 70 incredible caregivers. It is so rewarding and inspiring to witness how much growth a new nurse or employee demonstrates during their first year and throughout every year of their career. I get to be a part of that. I also have the honor of being a part of a patient's life during the time they need the most support and care. It is so rewarding to know that I made a difference in a patient's life.”

Shirley Reed, RN»

Shirley Reed
Solon Family Health Center
Internal Medicine

“I started my career at St. Luke’s in Cleveland. In 1973, I married and moved to the Chicago area. I worked at Silver Cross Hospital and then the Joliet Medical Group while raising my family. When my husband died I returned to my roots and primary family in Ohio. I began working at Cleveland Clinic Solon Family Health Center in 1997. I've been the nurse team lead in internal medicine for 14 years, and I love the busy, challenging department and the people in it. When I returned to Ohio, I was surrounded by my loving family. I was also embraced and supported by my nurse mentors, Kim Conway and Cathy DeGross, and by Dr. Ruth Imrie. These three ladies gave me confidence and understanding and helped me so much."

Previous Winners»

 

More Awards

National Nurses’ Week »

During National Nurses’ Week, the Cleveland Clinic honors and recognizes its more than 11,000 nurses who work in the hospital units and ambulatory clinics. A central feature of Nurses Week at Cleveland Clinic is the presentation of annual excellence awards, given each year to select nursing, clinical and administrative personnel whose efforts exemplify the ideals and goals of nursing. Each award is named for a Cleveland Clinic nursing employee who in her career here exemplified the ideals and objectives of the nursing profession.

It is with great pleasure that we announce the winners of the excellence awards. This tradition is one that celebrates and recognizes the work and talents of the finest clinical leaders among us. Though we appreciate all the efforts of each and every caregiver throughout the year, this special time offers us the chance to single out those individuals who have made outstanding contributions. Let us congratulate these winners for their ongoing dedication to their profession.

Nursing Research Fund Award »

The Purpose of the Nursing Research Fund (NURF) Award is to help Cleveland Clinic nurses, especially those providing clinical nursing services, conduct nursing research that promotes evidence-based nursing and management practices that lead to quality patient outcomes, enhanced nursing processes, and professional development.

Monies in the Fund are provided by patients and their families in recognition of nursing care received during hospitalizations. Additional contributions to the Fund are made from private donations and honorariums from nursing staff members for presentations and other professional work done in conjunction with their staff role.

Awards up to a maximum of $2,500/each aid registered nurses in conducting research and can be used to provide time to collect data, offset costs of supplies and equipment and statistical analysis, or to travel to a meeting to present findings. It is expected that research results will be shared within the Division of Nursing and to other departments, as appropriate and that generalizable results will be translated into nursing practice. A maximum of $15,000 in awards are presented annually.

Cleveland Clinic has a national reputation as a top hospital and our nurses play a vital role in this success. We are proud to present those nurses who have received national recognition for their contribution to our model of world-class care.

2012 National Award Winners»

Nancy M. Albert, PhD, CCNS, CHFN, CCRN, NE-BC, FAHA, FCCM, Senior Director, Nursing Research and Innovation CNS, Kaufman Center for Heart Failure, was named the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) 2013 Distinguished Research Lecturer in recognition her program of research that significantly influences high acuity and critical care.

Meredith Lahl, MSN, PCNS-BC, PNP-BC, CPON, Senior Director, Advanced Practice Nursing, was awarded the 2012 Jean Fergusson Excellence in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nursing Practice Award.  This award is given each year to recognize an Association of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Nurses APHON member for compassion and expertise in clinical nursing practice and for actively incorporating research and new ideas into clinical practice.

Nancy M. Albert, PhD, CCNS, CHFN, CCRN, NE-BC, FAHA, FCCM, Senior Director, Nursing Research and Innovation CNS, Kaufman Center for Heart Failure, was awarded the Sue B. Davidson Service Award. 

Beth Faiman, PhDc, MSN, APRN-BC, AOCN, Nurse Practitioner, Taussig Cancer Institute, received the 2012 Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Excellence in Medical Oncology Award for her accomplishments in advancing nursing knowledge with the field of hematology and medical oncology.

Kelly Cherni, BSN, RN, OCN, Nurse Coordinator for Bone Marrow Transplant, received the Josh Gottheil Bone Marrow Transplant Career Development Award from the Oncology Nursing Society.

Tina S. Resser, MSN, ACNP-BC, FNP-BC, CNRN, Nurse Practitioner for the Neurological Intensive Care Unit, received 2011 American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN) Excellence in Clinical Practice Award for recognition of her excellent clinical care.

Chad Hollis,  MSN, BSN, RN received the Clinical Excellence in Vascular Nursing Award from the Society of Vascular Nursing for his exceptional clinical skills and direct patient care delivery.

Scott Arkwright, BSN, RN, CNOR, RNFA, Registered Nurse First Assist, received the Outstanding Orthopedic Nurse Practice Award from National Association of Orthopaedic Nurses (NAON) for his contribution to providing high quality health care to the orthopaedic patient and his outstanding contributions to the field of orthopaedic nursing.

Esther Bernhofer, PhD, RN-BC, Nursing Education Specialist for Pain Management, received the 2012 American Society for Pain Management Nursing (ASPMN) Clinical Practice Award in recognition of her many achievements in pain management practice.

K. Kelly Hancock, MSN, RN, NEC-BC, Executive Chief Nursing Officer and Chief Nursing Officer for Main Campus, received the 2012 American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) Circle of Excellence Award.

Laura S. Wood, MSN, RN, OCN, Renal Cancer Research Coordinator for Taussig Cancer Institute,  received the 2012 Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Clinical Lectureship Award for her excellence in clinical nursing practice.

Marie A. Namey, MSN, RN, CNS, MSCCN, Clinical Nurse Specialist for the Neurological Institute's Mellen Center, won the 2011 American Association of Neuroscience Nurses (AANN) Excellence in Advanced Practice Nursing Award in recognition of her excellence in nursing care and promoting neuroscience nursing.

Previous Winners»

Learn about more of our previous year's national award winners.

View list of awards and recognitions.