Excellence in Nursing Peggy Abbott , UAB Medical Center
Peggy Abbott of UAB Medical Center exhibits a high level of expertise in nursing practice through consultation and evidence-based nursing initiatives. Peggy designs and develops educational initiatives for UAB’s Surgery Intensive Care Unit (SICU). Peggy also serves as co-chair to the hospital-wide education committee, a multi-disciplinary group to address educational concerns. In this role, she also coordinates an annual workshop for educators that is open to the entire community. In 2010 and 2011, healthcare educators from various disciplines across Alabama attended. Peggy is also the program chair person for UAB’s annual nursing conference, coordinating topics and speakers for the three-day event. This workshop along with the educator workshop provides an opportunity for UAB to shine in the state and to help healthcare peers from other hospitals grow professionally.
Lahetta Abts, Trinity Medical Center
You must be pretty exceptional when your work as a health care provider prompts families of patients to visit years later. Such is the impact Lahetta Abts has as a registered nurse at Trinity Medical Center. Recently a mother and father wanted to thank her for her care and support of over a decade ago, and to show her their happy and healthy 15-yearold “baby” today. This was not a isolated event. Lahetta cares for acutely ill babies at the hospital, where she forms an inseparable bond with families during some of the 12 b-metro.com
most emotional times in their lives. A strong patient advocate, she has the history and wisdom that comes from 30 years of experience as a nurse, and recognizes the importance of imparting that wisdom on younger nurses. Lahetta chairs Trinity’s hospital wide Nurse Leadership Group and is a Certified Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse, the highest level certification in her field.
Valerie Alford, Brookwood Medical Center
Valerie Alford is a Psychiatric Nursing Director in Brookwood’s Behavioral Health Unit. For 17 years, Valerie has devoted her career to the mentally ill. Her job can be intellectually, physically and emotional demanding. Valerie often shifts her role to include being a occupational therapist for the patient who is easily distracted, a psychotherapist for a patient in a confused state of mind, a dietician to a patient who is so depressed that they cannot eat and a social worker for a patient who needs arrangements for a place to live when they are discharged from the hospital. The fact that Valerie is assumes these roles is what sets her apart from other nursing specialties. Valerie is currently pursuing her BSN/Masters in Nursing Leadership. Valerie’s patience, maturity, self discipline and critical thinking skills set her apart. Valerie implemented the Psychiatric Rapid Response Team at Brookwood Medical Center in 2009, which was recognized as a Best Practice by JCAHO for 2010. Valerie also received the 2010 Tenet Clinical Innovations Award.
Ninfa Austin, St. Vincent’s East
“Positive” and “uplifting” are just a couple of words that co-workers use to begin to describe the community outreach and mission work that Ninfa Austin has participated in during her nurse career at St. Vincent’s East. Ninfa always has an
infectious spirit at work, encouraging associates and patients alike. But beyond the walls of St. Vincent’s she also donates her time beyond traditional work hours in the mission field, abroad serving the poorest communities in underserved countries, as well as at home working in women’s ministries and St.Vincent’s Camp Bluebird, a recreational program for adults living with cancer. Ninfa lives the mission of serving others everyday.
Wendell “Brian” Bowman, UAB Medical Center
Co-workers call Wendall “Brian” Bowman a “blessing” to the Bone Marrow Transplant Unit at the UAB Medical Center. He has a keeps a cool head even during the most medicallychallenging situations, which helps others cope with stressful moments. A recipient of the BMT Program Director’s Award 2010, Brian is a true leader, compassionate nurse, and a source of spiritual support to patients, families and coworkers. Brian has even spoken at the eulogy for the husband of one of the BMT Unit’s most beloved staff nurses; the husband had also been a patient on the unit. Following the 2011 tornadoes, you often would find Brian on his off day cutting trees and removing debris from strangers’ driveways and yards. Additionally, Brian hosted a deer hunt for BMT “survivors” to a lodge, which funded in 2009 by television hunting show host Brock Ray. This is gave back a little sense of normalcy to a group of patients who love to hunt and had not been able to go because of their health condition. Brian is a source of comfort on the unit, keeping everyone laughing, while also earning his