Five nurses receive the best GEM Award honors

Five nurses from across the country have been chosen as national winners within the GEM (Giving Excellence Meaning) awards program presented by Nurse.com, the leading OnCourse Learning brand within the healthcare industry. “Our winners are the best and brightest nurses, and we are honored to celebrate them,” said Eileen Williamson, MSN, RN, senior vp and chief nursing officer at Nurse.com. “Giving meaning to excellence through public recognition is what the GEM Awards program is all about.”

The winners of 2016 are:

Lauren Micale, BSN, RN, CPHON, clinical nurse practitioner, bone marrow transplant/hematology, Nemours/Alfred I. DuPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Del. “She is a teacher, mentor, clinical resource specialist and bilingual nurse who promotes Spanish-speaking patients and their families,” Williamson said. “Lauren believes that earning her professional certification in her specialty pushed her on the path to nursing and is proud of all she has worked on and accomplished.” Michele Rubin, MSN, APN, CNS-BC, CGRN, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Colorectal Surgery, University of Chicago Medicine “She is proud of the difference she makes in the lives of her patients,” Williamson said. “Michele helped found Chicago’s only nurse-led J-Pouch clinic. She is the author of numerous publications and a long-time member of the Chicago branch of the American Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation. J. Cedar Wang, MSN, RN, APN, GNP-BC, CHSE, Director of Simulation Education, Holy Name Medical Center, Teaneck, NJ “Left academia to launch a hospital-based simulation center that attracted state and national attention.” Williamson said. “He believes that nurses must lead the transformation of bedside care, and simulation provides an opportunity to do so. “Her passion for education and innovative leadership are a powerful combination.” Kimberly Pearson, MHA, MBA, RN, CCHP, Deputy Agency Director, Health Care Facilities, Orange County, Health Care Agency, Santa Ana, California. “As a nurse overseeing the health care of approximately 7,000 incarcerated adults and adolescents, Kimberly is described by colleagues as a trusted, experienced and inspiring leader,” Williamson said. “She considers nursing to be a unique career and is proud to have been nominated by her staff.” Tamre Del Valle, MSN, RN, director of the intensive care unit and cardiac laboratory at Valley Presbyterian Hospital in Van Nuys, Calif. “He is a skilled leader who has led his department through periods of significant change and improvement,” Williamson said. “The nominator described Tamre’s work on the emergency department at her facility as tireless. “Tamre encourages her fellow nurses to grow professionally and be patient advocates, and often says she is blessed with a supportive staff.” The winners were chosen by a national panel of nurse leaders through a blind review process. Each winner was chosen earlier this 12 months as a regional winner in one in all five regions: Mid-Atlantic, Midwest, Northeast, South and other GEM states, and the West. Williamson said the awards program received a whole bunch of nominations from across the country, an almost 30-year tradition for Nurse.com.