Six health care professionals at Community Hospital in Grand Junction were among local honorees in the latest Nightingale Award program.
Ashley Baesler, Marsha Bagby, Kristin Bentley, Michael Martin, Irene Samantha Parkes and Courtney Rudd were among 21 honorees from the western region of Colorado who were nominated by peers and leaders for the recognition.
Bagby and Bentley also were selected as Luminary Award recipients for the region.
A total of 34 finalists from Colorado will attend the Nightingale Luminary Awards Gala scheduled for Aug. 13 in Denver.
Six Colorado Nightingale Nurse of the Year Awards will be presented in categories for those in clinical practice as well as administrators, educators, researchers and those in nontraditional roles. Awards also will recognize advocacy, innovation and leadership.
The Nightingale Award for Excellence in Human Caring was founded in 1985 to honor nurses who exemplify the philosophy and practice of Florence Nightingale, a 19th-century nursing pioneer.
“A Nightingale recipient demonstrates excellence in the profession of nursing,” said Joe Gerardi, chief operating officer and chief nursing officer at Community Hospital. “These individuals exemplify professional engagement and community involvement. We are extremely proud of their accomplishments.”