Navicent Health

To ensure our nurses receive the recognition they deserve, Navicent Health hosted the inaugural Friends of Nursing Gala on May 9 at the Emerson Ballroom. Approximately 200 people attended the black-tie aair. e evening's festivities, which were modeled aer the Academy Awards, featured a red carpet and an opportunity for photos, cocktails, heavy hors d'oeuvres and dancing. e cornerstone of the evening was the presentation of the nursing excellence awards. Prior to the Friends of Nursing Gala, Navicent Health nurses had an opportunity to nominate their colleagues for awards in 12 categories. More than 80 nurses were nominated, and a committee performed a blind review of nominations to determine the 12 winners. Each nominee was presented with a sash to wear during the Gala, and the winners were awarded crystal plaques. "Nurses give everything they can to their patients and oen go unrecognized," says Tracey Blalock, Chief Nursing Ocer at Medical Center, Navicent Health. "e Friends of Nursing Gala gives us an opportunity to give back to our nurses and acknowledge the hard work they do every day." A NIGHT TO HONOR OUR Friends of Nursing has been in place at Medical Center, Navicent Health since February 2015. e national, philanthropic organization replaces the Sylvia Bond Nursing Society. e monies raised through Friends of Nursing will sponsor scholarships for area high school students who wish to pursue nursing careers, along with advanced education opportunities for Navicent Health nurses. For information about upcoming events or to learn how you can get involved, call Medcen Community Health Foundation, Navicent Health at 478-633-GIVE (4483) or visit www.navicenthealth.org/medcen. FUNDING NURSING PROGRESS We are proud to recognize the following 12 nurses who were presented with nursing excellence awards at the Friends of Nursing Gala: • Advanced Practice—Cynthia Loudin • Ambulatory Services—Stacy Carr • Clinical Support Services—Johnnie Azar • EBP and Research—Mary Hoey • Education—Summer Turner • Emergency and Critical Care—Randi Bos • General Medicine—Jon Kent • Post Acute Services—Deborah Allen • Pediatric—Mary Beth Cunard • Specialty Service—Chris Jackson • Surgical Services—Donna Cannon • Leadership—Cheryl Varnadoe CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER NURSES Thank t ou sponso! • Gene Battles, MD • Tracey Blalock, RN • Mrs. Dawn Cole, RN • Tejas Gandhi, PhD • Fred Gaton, MD • Reg Gilbreath, MD • Beth Greer, RN • Kalambur V. Panchapakesan, MD • Roberta Permenter, RN • Debra Riley, RN • Dr. Ninfa M. Saunders, FACHE • Fady Wanna, MD • Central Georgia Regional Credit Union • L. E. Schwartz & Son, Inc. • Macon Occupational Medicine, LLC • Medical Center Auxiliary, Navicent Health • New Haven Baptist Church Mark your calendars! The 2016 Friends of Nursing Gala is scheduled for April 30 and will kick off National Nurses Week at Medical Center, Navicent Health. EVENTS WWW.NAVICENTHEALTH.ORG/MEDCEN | Impact | 5

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