2020 Nurse of the Year

Thank You

During these challenging times, these businesses in our community are proud to honor the commitment of all essential workers – both on the frontlines and behind the scenes – who are taking care of us and meeting our basic needs. Thank you for all you do!

INSIDENOVA, NEW LIFE LASER RECOGNIZE NURSES OF THE YEAR As part of InsideNoVa/Prince William’s salute to essential workers on these pages, we asked our online readers to nominate and vote for the nurse of the year.

The first comment we received, of course, was shouldn’t we recognize all nurses? And the fact is that yes, we should. Unfortunately, though, we don’t have enough newsprint and ink to publish photos of all the nurses, doctors and other amazing caregivers who are helping our community through the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are delighted, though, with the help of our sponsor, New Life Laser of Woodbridge,

to be able to honor the dedicated nurses whose photos appear on these pages. Some have just graduated from college; others have decades of experience. They work at hospitals throughout Northern Virginia. Some were nominated by friends or family members; others by their employers.

We received 36 nominations in all, and over 1,300 readers voted for the winners being honored on these pages.

The overall winner, Kate Brackney, is director of nursing for the ARC of Greater Prince William, a nonprofit that serves people with developmental disabilities in our community.

As Kate’s nominator wrote, that kind of work takes a special person with special skills, and we’re delighted to be able to recognize her.

More information about Kate is below, and she will receive $500 from New Life Laser.

On the facing page, we recognize the top 10 runners-up in the voting. To read about all 36 nominees, visit www.insidenova.com/contest.

And to all the nurses, doctors, first-responders and front-line essential workers we say “thank you!” Thank you for helping us when we need it, for keeping our community safe, and for allowing us to stay home.

– Bruce Potter, Publisher, InsideNoVa

Our caregivers on the frontlines. Now, more than ever.

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNER: KATE BRACKNEY Kate is the Director of Nursing for the ARC of Greater Prince William, where she supports nearly 100 individuals with developmental disabilities, many with complex medical needs that no one else wanted to serve. From the beginning of COVID-19, Kate has tirelessly set in place in the ARC’s group homes and supported living sites preventative measures to ensure the health and safety of the individuals and the staff that support them. Kate has devoted over 24 years supporting those who are most vulnerable in our community.

Kate will receive $500 from New Life Laser of Woodbridge!

SPONSORED BY

New Life Laser Woodbridge, VA 703-730-0200 Laserspineassociates.com 13199 Centerpointe Way Woodbridge, VA 22193

Dr. M.Scott White, D.C. Kate Brackney

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ESSENTIAL WORKERS |

| INSIDENOVA.COM

Thank You

During these challenging times, these businesses in our community are proud to honor the commitment of all essential workers – both on the frontlines and behind the scenes – who are taking care of us and meeting our basic needs. Thank you for all you do!

Sara Valenti

Sara works at Inova as a critical care nurse and is one of the specialists who provide extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) care to those in critical need. Sara balances her day between her 7-month-old son and husband, active participation in USA Gymnastics events as a meet director, and her demanding job as nurse. Always positive and upbeat, she routinely receives positive comments from patients and family members. She is pursuing her next chapter in nursing as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Dedicated, intelligent, compassionate, she embodies the term “Care Giver.”

Jojo Waggy

Jojo Waggy is an excellent nurse with a passion for caring for people. She started her nursing career at Prince William Hospital, working her way to the ICU, where she honed her nursing skills. Jojo has always had a love for the elderly and during her time as an ICU nurse realized she wanted to do more for them. While working full time, she went back to school to get her master’s degree and become a nurse practitioner. She now works for Vitas Healthcare, a hospice provider, where she strives to ensure patient comfort and helps families through a very difficult time.

Alexis Blais

My niece has worked her way through college keeping at the top of her class and graduated with a nursing degree. She is working for Mary Washington and continues to stay at the top of her game.

Lana Hawa

She works at Reston ER and she has been an advocate for the staff having sufficient PPE so that they can focus on patient care. She is a phenomenal nurse.

Pynne Floresca

Pynne Floresca is a Marymount University grad and U.S. Army wife who has worked in med-surg, diabetes, and mother-baby units around the country.

A Lake Ridge resident the past 20 years, she has worked at Mary Washington Hospital, Virginia Hospital Center, and Kaiser. She carries a med-kit in her car and just added an N95 mask.

She’s the first to render aid when there’s need on an airplane or during a church service. But what sets her apart, is how she takes the time to talk to her patients about how they’re feeling and being the safe place they may not otherwise have.

Jennifer Mennow

Jennifer is beyond an exceptional human being, she’s the epitome of agape “LOVE.” I have known Jennifer for well over 13 years, and she never ceases to amaze me. She came into my life displaying the very agape we all should live by. I was pregnant with my third child and I asked if she could give me my shot in the evening because my husband worked and I was too scared to give it to myself and without hesitation she did. So for the next seven months she was my own personal nurse, but little did she know she would play a bigger role. On May 6, 2009, Jennifer’s new role was doctor. My husband rushed to grab Jen because I began to bleed and she was the first person I called.

She rushed over to find my daughter’s head was almost out and went into action and delivered our daughter (to a cul-de-sac of cheering neighbors). Jen helped build hospitals in Haiti and goes religiously (a few times a year) with medical supplies and other doctors. She helped to start a foundation that continues work in Haiti all year round.

Rhiannon Turner

She goes above and beyond for her patients every shift in the ICU. She is constantly looking for ways to help her team. She is also a fantastic wife and mother at home.

Kelsie Scott Kelsie is one of many nurses at StoneSprings Hospital who provide the highest quality healthcare to their patients everyday. During the current pandemic, she continually puts her own health at risk by treating patients with the COVID-19 virus. Kelsie works long, exhausting shifts and must isolate herself when she returns home to protect her family. In addition to her demanding job, she is continuing her education and spends her time away from the hospital taking online classes, studying and taking exams. She is a professional, conscientious, compassionate caregiver who deserves a big “thumbs up” for her hard work and dedication.

Kate Edwards Kate Edwards is a remarkable nurse. She has been working as a nurse for 37 years. She is caring, strong, supportive, and a fighter.

She has been suffering hard mentally with how tough this COVID pandemic has been, and she has not only been strong for herself but also for others around her -- a true role model and inspiration.

Melinda Kunka Melinda is always kind and compassionate when dealing with residents at Dogwood Village Health and Rehabilitation Center. She is able to problem-solve and looks out for the best interest of residents and their family members. Melinda is a great leader and is a unit manager who supervises nurses and nursing assistants. She pitches in and is focused on providing the services that the residents need and so deserve. It is such a pleasure working with Melinda as she takes personal responsibility for assuring best quality care for her residents and values each member of the Dogwood Village team.

INSIDENOVA.COM |

| ESSENTIAL WORKERS

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