The Nursing Awards


CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2009 Shining Star Award Winners!


Three outstanding nurses and one health organization received Shining Star Awards from KCNA at their Annual Meeting & Spring Banquet on May 6 at the Shilshole Bay Beach Club:
 
Pat Greenstreet began her nursing career at Children’s Hospital and returned to school to complete her law degree. She is a partner in the firm Chemnick, Moen & Greenstreet, where she works on complex medical malpractice cases. Pat also stays busy with the Washington State Trial Lawyers Association and has been an affiliate faculty member at UW-Bothell for more than 15 years. She teaches Legal and Ethical Issues in Nursing, a course that is always rated as a highlight by the students.
     In the late 1980’s, Pat asked the King County Nurses Association (KCNA) Governmental Affairs Committee for assistance in writing an issue briefing to educate nurses and the public about alternatives to disposable diapers and environmental influences on children’s health and safety. Pat continued her involvement with KCNA by serving as a member, and as President, of the Board of Directors. In 1988, she was named KCNA Nurse of the Year, and she has stayed active as a member of the Nominating Committee, Program Committee, and currently the Scholarship Committee. Pat also founded the Nurse Legal Consultant Clearinghouse and Nurses Law School.
     Pat is a passionate, organized, and inspirational advocate of nursing. She is one of a few nurse-attorneys who maintain strong connections to nursing and her legal background has been invaluable. According to Sue Vermeulen, executive director of KCNA, “Pat is an amazing volunteer on whom I can count for advice and insight. She’s always approachable and is a great supporter of King County Nurses.”
 
Chris Henshaw is Associate Dean and Associate Professor of Nursing in the School of Health Sciences at Seattle Pacific University. She served several terms on the Board of King County Nurses Association (KCNA), including a stint as President. Chris has also served on the KCNA Finance Committee, and is currently serving on the Bylaws Committee, Program Committee, and Scholarship Committee.
     Chris is known as a superb teacher; her classes are both relevant and interactive. She has the gift of explaining difficult concepts understandably. Colleagues had this to say about her: “Chris is the quintessential faculty member—strong clinician, excellent teacher, good colleague and a woman with a sense of humor. Who could ask for more? Oh, yes, she loves cats.”  Another said, “Chris is compassionate and respectful and appears to love people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. She is able to listen to others in such a way that they feel heard and cared about.”
 
Mary Seidel recently retired from her position as instructor at Seattle University’s School of Nursing. She has two terms on the KCNA Board of Directors, and has been involved with the Program, Mini Grants, Neighborhood Health and Scholarship Committees. Colleagues had the following to say about Mary: “Mary has been a mentor to many nursing educators. She is always willing to help, give advice and be a good listener and friend. Mary’s kindness and genuine caring about people comes through. She cared about each student as a whole person, and spent many hours giving clinical students feedback—both strengths and areas needing improvement.” Another commented: “I have worked with Mary since 1989 and have learned tremendous amounts from her about staff development, teaching, and being a pediatric nurse. She gives unconditionally to her students and fellow faculty members and is missed at Seattle University.” And this: “Mary can be characterized as an advocate for nursing students. She always put the good of students first and was diligent in exploring great learning opportunities for them.”
     Mary is a story teller and always shares her ideas and comments. Since Mary retired, she has been busy getting her house ready to sell and is planning on moving to Maine to be near her family. We will miss Mary but know she’ll get involved with the nurses association in Maine!
 
 
Seattle Children's Hospital
KCNA is honored to recognize Seattle Children’s Hospital for their achievement of Magnet status during this last year.  Magnet status is awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) in recognition of nursing excellence. Less than four percent of hospitals in the United States have qualified for Magnet status. Seattle Children’s is the first pediatric hospital in the Pacific Northwest to achieve this distinction, and joins the University of Washington Medical Center as the only Magnet-recognized hospitals in Washington State.
     Magnet designation was awarded after a rigorous evaluation process that began in February 2005 and included submission of an eight-volume, 30 pound application document, multiple stages of review and a week-long on-site appraisal conducted by the Magnet Recognition Program. According to ANCC, research indicates that Magnet hospitals produce better patient outcomes than other hospitals. Independent research also shows that Magnet hospitals consistently outperform others in recruiting and retaining nurses, resulting in increased stability of patient care.
     We are proud to recognize Seattle Children’s for achieving the Magnet status and affirming that their nurses are among the best in the country, exceeding professional standards in nursing education, research, leadership and patient care.