LOS ANGELES, Sept. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Cherokee Uniforms today announced the winners of the 2004 Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award, a national recognition program honoring healthcare professionals who have touched the lives of others through exceptional service, sacrifice and innovation. This year's winners were selected from nearly 1,700 nominations in the following four categories: Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse, Student Nurse, Non-Physician Healthcare Professional.
"These winners represent the immense dedication, compassion and skill that healthcare professionals demonstrate everyday," said Michael Singer, president and CEO of Cherokee Uniforms. "Their remarkable stories provide a glimpse into the extraordinary impact that nurses and other non-physician healthcare professionals have on the patients they serve. By sharing these incredibly touching stories with the public, we aim to increase respect for this often under-appreciated industry and inspire others to join this vital profession."
This year's Grand Prize and Top National award winners are:
Registered Nurses (RNs)
* Grand Prize Winner -- Susan Fleming, RN (Washington State University
Intercollegiate College of Nursing, Spokane, WA)
"RN Overcomes Disability to Become Inspiration to Nursing Community"
* Born with only one hand, Susan was selected as the top winner
for her relentless determination to become and serve as a nurse
as well as her advocacy for nurses with physical challenges. She
is a shining example to other nurses and students with a
disability and an inspiration to all.
* Top National Prize Winner -- LT Charles Dickerson, NC, USNR
(Naval Hospital, Yokosuka, Japan)
"U.S. Navy ICU Nurse Saves Life of Dying Iraqi Boy"
* LT Dickerson was chosen as one of the top two winners for his
heroic efforts that saved the life of a dying Iraqi boy during
Operation Iraqi Freedom. After being shot in the face by Iraqi
militia, when his father refused to fight for Saddam Hussein,
the boy was brought to LT Dickerson with almost zero chance of
survival. LT Dickerson's quick thinking, highly innovative
medical approach and stamina all contributed to saving the boy.
Licensed Practical Nurses/Licensed Vocational Nurses (LPNs/LVNs)
* Grand Prize Winner -- Christine Stepan, LPN (HealthPartners,
Woodbury, MN)
"LPN's Selfless Volunteerism Provides Care to the Needy Throughout
the World"
* A selfless volunteer, Christine devotes her free time and
personal resources to serve those in her community as well as
needy people throughout the world. Over the years, her
vacations have been dedicated to participating in medical
missions to provide free medical care to underprivileged
individuals in the Philippines and Mexico.
* Top National Prize Winner -- Deanna Taynor, LPN (Children's Hospital,
Columbus, OH)
"LPN Offers Skilled Technical Knowledge to Nurses in the Neonatal
Intensive Care Unit"
* Deanna is being recognized for her work in the neonatal
intensive care unit (NICU) where she is a vital resource to
other nurses on taking care of babies with feeding and breathing
tubes and as an advocate for the hospital's tiniest, most
fragile patients.
Student Nurses
* Grand Prize Winner -- Tim Schickedanz, Student Nurse (Univ. of Texas
at Arlington School of Nursing / Harris
Methodist, Ft. Worth, TX)
"Student Nurse Utilizes Practical Field Experience to Bolster
Nursing Studies"
* A student nurse at the University of Texas at Arlington School
of Nursing and Medical Platoon Leader in an Armor Battalion with
the National Guard, Tim's first-hand experience as a Combat
Medic in the Army, a patient care technician and work with the
ambulance and fire departments makes him a top asset for the
future of nursing.
* Top National Prize Winner -- Jessica Gillilan, Student Nurse
(University of Alabama / Good Samaritan
Clinic, Tuscaloosa, AL)
"Student Nurse's Selfless Acts Bring Hope to Desperate Patients"
* In addition to her nursing studies, where she maintains a
3.98 GPA, Jessica volunteers several days a week at the Good
Samaritan Clinic providing care to rural patients who cannot
afford health insurance.
Non-Physician Healthcare Professionals
* Grand Prize Winner -- Carla Stokes, Patient Care Associate (Monmouth
Medical Center, Long Branch, NJ)
"Patient Care Associate Takes the Sting Out of Pre-Operation Blood
Work for Children"
* A Patient Care Associate in the outpatient surgical department
of the Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch, NJ, Carla was
honored for the innovative ways she brings comfort and ease to
children scheduled for pre-operation testing.
* Top National Prize Winner -- Julie Slowiak, CMA (Luther-Midelfort,
Eau Claire, WI)
"Certified Medical Assistant Boosts Training to Better Assist
Citizens and Patients in Local Community"
* With dual licenses as a certified medical assistant and medical
office specialist, Julie Slowiak has made her mission to further
her training to fill any need that arises, either within Luther
Midelfort or her surrounding community of Eau Claire, WI.
National Winners
In addition to the top prize winners in each category, national winners were selected in the Registered Nurse and Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse categories.
* Lynda Chever, LPN -- Mohun Health Care Center -- Columbus, OH
* Jeanne Rorke, RN-C, NNP, MSN -- Georgetown University Hospital --
Washington, DC
* Mary McRae, CCRN, MSN -- Central Maine Medical Center -- Lewiston, ME
* Gaynell Stone, RN, OCN -- Rex Hospital -- Raleigh, NC
* Karen Ulmer, RN -- Greater Baltimore Medical Center -- Baltimore, MD
* Nomiki Vorgias, RN -- Community Hospital -- Munster, IN
* Robert Wilkinson, RN -- Norton Healthcare -- Louisville, KY
Prizes
Winners of the 2004 Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award will receive a variety of prizes.
* The Grand Prize winner in each category will receive an all-expense
paid cruise for two to the Cayman Islands and a crystal 2004 Cherokee
Inspired Comfort Award trophy.
* Top National Prize winners receive an all-expense paid trip to the
2005 U.S. medical conference of the winner's choice, a $1,000
contribution to the non-profit organization of their choice, annual
membership to their selected clinical association, and a crystal 2004
Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award trophy.
* National Prize winners receive an all expense paid trip to the 2005
U.S. medical conference of the winner's choice, annual membership to
their selected clinical association, and a glass 2004 Cherokee
Inspired Comfort Award trophy.
* ALL winning nurses will receive a $1,000 medical wardrobe featuring
the best of Cherokee Uniforms and Rockers footwear, a custom engraved
Ultrascope stethoscope, a commemorative gold pin and will be included
in Cherokee's 2005 Inspired Comfort Award calendar.
* Nominators for Grand Prize and Top National Prize winners receive a
$1,000 medical wardrobe of Cherokee Uniforms and Rockers footwear and
a custom engraved stethoscope.
A leading designer and manufacture of healthcare apparel, Cherokee developed the award to express admiration for healthcare professionals' skill, kindness and devotion. A panel of judges consisting of Cherokee Uniforms' professionals, national nursing leaders and previous recipients selected this year's winners based on the program's key requirements: exceptional service, sacrifice and innovation.
For more information about the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award and submitting nominations for the 2005 program, please visit http://www.cherokeeuniforms.com/.
Additional information, profiles and photos of the winners are available through:
Keating & Co. Meghan Flanagan/Jennifer Kamienski 973.966.1100 mflanagan@keatingco.com/jkamienski@keatingco.com About Cherokee Uniforms
Cherokee Uniforms, Tooniforms and Rockers Footwear are the leading brands in healthcare apparel, recognized for helping to foster a warmer, friendly, more comfortable environment for healthcare professionals and their patients. For information, visit http://www.cherokeeuniforms.com/.
Cherokee UniformsCONTACT: Meghan Flanagan, mflanagan@keatingco.com, or JenniferKamienski, jkamienski@keatingco.com, both of Keating & Co., +1-973-966-1100,for Cherokee Uniforms
Web site: http://www.cherokeeuniforms.com/
