For the 16th year in a row, St. Louis Magazine is honoring the remarkable efforts of nurses across the region by hosting the annual Excellence in Nursing Awards, presented by BJC HealthCare and Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing. Winners were chosen by a prestigious selection committee and are featured in the June/July issue of SLM. Honorees were celebrated at an awards reception at Missouri Botanical Garden on June 4. See photos from the event. Congratulations—and a heartfelt thank you—to all honorees!
ACUTE CARE / FAMILY PRACTICE / GENERAL MEDICINE
Geralyn Ochs
Saint Louis University School of Nursing
Ochs has worked in nursing for more than four decades, helping patients and fellow nurses from coast to coast. At SLU, Ochs has been a part of shaping and implementing the acute care program. In addition to administrative work, she teaches online clinical management courses for acute care nurse practitioners.
On the job’s rewards: “When they first start in the management courses, it’s pretty overwhelming to them because it’s such a quantum leap in critical thinking, going from a nurse to a provider. But then I see them at graduation, and they are all 100 precent ready to practice on Day 1. That really is the goal for me.”
On managing challenges: “I love what I do… If you love what you do, it’s not difficult. I’m getting close to retirement age, and I find that difficult, not because of the retirement, but to give up something that I really love.”
Finalists:
- Patricia Hamm / Missouri Baptist Medical Center
- Kozue Schulte / WashU Medicine
- Kayla Warden / Mercy Hospital Jefferson
ADMINISTRATION
Michelle Papachrisanthou
Saint Louis University School of Nursing, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
Papachrisanthou graduated early from high school, studied cosmetology, and planned to pursue a degree in journalism. After connecting with someone in the nursing field, however, she changed her path. Following a fulfilling career in pediatrics, Papachrisanthou eventually became interim associate dean for graduate education at SLU.
On the job’s rewards: “I’ve learned so much, and in the short period of time that I’ve been in the role, we’ve really changed a lot of things to benefit the students.”
On work-life balance: “I have to really learn what’s important and what needs to be done ASAP, versus what I can push to the end of the day or possibly the next day. Probably my biggest struggle is work-life balance. I do work a lot of hours—most weekends, most nights—but I am slowly paving the way for myself for that to get better.”
Finalists:
- Olawunmi Obisesan / Missouri Baptist Medical Center
- Christine Talbott / Mercy Hospital St. Louis
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ADVANCED PRACTICE
Laura Raineri
U.S. Air Force Reserve, Scott Air Force Base
Through patience and perseverance, Raineri—an aeromedical and family nurse practitioner—earned a master’s degree in nursing while juggling a full-time job, U.S. Air Force Reserve duties, and a family.
On handling stress: “Connecting with others and talking through stressors is the key to resilience. Confiding in my coworkers or my husband during stressful times helps me think through difficult situations.”
On advice for new nurses: “Never stop learning and asking questions. As a novice nurse, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the things we don’t know. Asking questions shows you understand your limitations and desire to seek the knowledge needed to become an expert in your field. Nothing beats experiential knowledge, which is gained through time, exposure, and taking in what others teach you. Find a mentor you respect and who wants to see you succeed.”
Finalists:
- Andrea Liefer / WashU Medicine
- Maria Walls / BJC Medical Group
CARDIOVASCULAR
Suzanne Scego
The executive director of the Heart and Vascular Institute at St. Luke’s Hospital, Scego is mindful of patients’ anxiety when receiving a heart disease diagnosis. Her peers describe her as the department’s “backbone” and a significant “reason we have been able to save lives.”
On a challenge she has overcome: “While we all have a strong passion to meet goals, it’s important to not let yourself become disappointed if you’re not moving the needle quick enough. It takes time to make changes that can be truly impactful.”
On advice to those starting their nursing journeys: “Ask yourself, Why do you want to go into nursing? What do you want to get out of it? It’s OK to not come out of nursing school and say, ‘I want to be this type of nurse.’ It will come to you.”
Finalists:
- Karen Horn / St. Luke’s Hospital
- Mary Sullivan / WashU Medicine
- Holly Vitale / SSM Health St. Clare Hospital–Fenton
COMMUNITY CARE / AMBULATORY CARE
Diana Llamas
Saint Louis University School of Nursing
After serving as an instructor at SLU’s Madrid campus, Llamas is now a simulations operations manager in St. Louis, where she coordinates daily operations of the simulation lab. And though she is an instructor, not a day goes by that she doesn’t learn from her students, she says.
On the job’s rewards: “You can see students from when they start as freshmen and then transition to juniors and seniors. You see how mature they are, not only personally but professionally. We are part of that growth, and we make an impact.”
On advice to new nurses: “Don’t lose the passion that got you where you are right now—that reason for why you started to do this.”
Finalists:
- Jane Coffey / SSM Health
- Rachel Schaefer / Memorial Hospital Belleville
EDUCATOR
Kelly Crawford
A clinical education specialist, Crawford works at the Center for Practice Excellence. She works closely with new graduate nurses and helps onboard both new and experienced nurses from transition to practice. In doing so, she’s able to inspire and connect with other nurses.
On the ability to handle stress: “I learned to work under pressure… I’ve been able to use those skills in every position I’ve been in: leadership, education, and staff nurse.”
On the job’s rewards: “I get to see the spark in someone’s eyes when they really get it because we’re getting nurses that are transitioning from an academic setting and may not have ever laid hands on a patient, especially right after [the pandemic]… When they come back and say, ‘Hey, I was able to navigate this, and I was really confident for the first time,’ or they share these beautiful stories, that’s what keeps me coming back to work every day.”
Finalists:
- Julia Downey / Barnes-Jewish College Goldfarb School of Nursing, WashU Medicine
- Melissa Holman / Saint Louis University School of Nursing
EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT
Megan Heaven
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
From a young age, Heaven says she’s been passionate about helping others, especially children. This commitment led to a career as a registered nurse in the emergency department at Cardinal Glennon. She calls problem-solving for patients just one of the many highlights of her work in the hospital.
On treating children: “Working in pediatrics shows you that kids are so resilient. There’s so much that they go through, and half the time they’re still smiling, laughing, and giggling with you.”
On advice to new nurses: “Never be scared to ask questions. Nobody knows everything. Always be willing to seek opportunities to improve your learning, to gain more knowledge, to help others.”
On managing the job’s stresses: “Whenever I go home, I prioritize ‘me time,’ whether going outside when it’s warm, walking my dogs, sitting on the couch, watching TV, or reading a book.”
Finalists:
- Devyn Heskett / SSM Health
- Katie Kaylor / SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
INTENSIVE CARE
Melissa Prewitt
Before completing her nurse practitioner degree, Prewitt worked as an ICU nurse in Arkansas. Now, at WashU, she thrives in her new role.
On advice for new nurses: “Give yourself grace! It will take [time] to feel like you have any idea what you’re doing. Also, ask questions! I would rather you ask a question that you think is stupid than provide care based on an assumption. Finally, charting can wait. It’s easy to get bogged down in charting, but remember you are caring for a real person in the bed—a mother, son, grandparent, friend.”
On the job’s rewards: “It’s all about the relationships. As an ICU provider, we often encounter people during some of the toughest times in their lives. They’re not only worried about their health but also about finances, role reversals, and more. Being able to step into their suffering and offer support can be tough but also deeply rewarding. If I can make even one patient or family smile during their stay, then everything is worth it.”
Finalists:
- Tara Laur / St. Luke’s Hospital
- Barry Payne / Memorial Hospital Belleville
- Brittany Stone / Missouri Baptist Medical Center
MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING
Lisa Wright
Wright is no stranger to seeing harrowing injuries, given her role in medical surgery. The relationships with patients and coworkers that she often builds from these cases, however, remain the most rewarding part of her day and keep her going.
On her biggest accomplishment: “During the pandemic, I started seeing [patients’] wounds by telehealth because we couldn’t go into the ICUs. It was a huge process, but it made the staff feel supported. A very large telehealth project grew out of that.”
On advice for new nurses: “Always be an investigator. It’s more than being curious—you really have to get to the bottom of it. Talk to physicians and your fellow nurses. You’ll get answers, and it will make you better and more well-rounded, with better understanding.”
Finalists:
- Emily Heslop / Memorial Hospital Belleville
- Kim Reimund / Mercy Clinic Spine & Pain Management
- Kristen Vogt / SSM Health St. Clare Hospital–Fenton
NEUROLOGY / PSYCHOLOGY / BEHAVIORAL HEALTH
Audra Stewart
Stewart began her nursing journey at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where she worked in neurology and eventually found her way to the NICU. Today, while working in neonatal neurology, she supports seven providers and helps move patients from the NICU to an outpatient setting, where she’s able to follow families through growth and changes.
On handling stress: “It’s been said that I’m a very passionate person, especially with stress. But I try to take a step back, look at the big picture, and restrategize if needed.”
On the job’s rewards: “There is nothing better than following patients in the clinic and seeing them grow and do amazing things. One day, they’re a cute 6-month-old, and the next they’re 3 and climbing in my lap during the visit. My patients and families truly are the heart and soul of my nursing career and the driving force behind my dedication to my job.”
Finalists:
- Jacinda Berger / WashU Medicine
- Wendy Sanders / WashU Medicine
ONCOLOGY
Kristin Keller
Saint Louis University School of Nursing
Keller grew up with a mother who was a nurse and a father who was a physician, so discussions about life sciences happened regularly at the dinner table. Today, Keller teaches physiology, pathophysiology, and research courses as an assistant professor at SLU.
On fostering relationships with patients: “Some of our patients would sometimes be in the hospital for weeks or even months at a time, getting treatment, so we got to know those people really well. Those were some really special relationships and even friendships that we got to make with those patients.”
On teaching: “I try to be very entertaining and even comedic when I’m teaching to try and make it more appealing to this generation of learners. I think class time can be very fun, and I can really be myself in front of my class. I like to let the students see a very authentic side of me.”
On the job’s rewards: “Being a big life-sciences nerd, I really enjoy getting to teach the students about how the human body works. I think a lot of them find it pretty fascinating too, which is very rewarding.”
Finalists:
- Danielle Grasso / WashU Medicine
- Rochelle Hobson / WashU Medicine, Siteman Cancer Center, BJC Home Care
PEDIATRICS: NEONATAL
Tonya Hindersmann
For more than three decades, Hindersmann has put patients first. Over time, she has served in a variety of roles, including coordinator for Mercy’s fetal loss bereavement program and chair of the Missouri Hospital Association’s collaborative for the neonatal abstinence syndrome project. Hindersmann, who also won this award five years ago, aims to ensure that no patient feels alone while navigating life’s challenges.
On advice to patients who have lost a child: “Remember the child. It’s OK to talk about the baby by name and to remember the birth date, the due date, and the lost date. Let families talk and grieve… It’s OK to remember and share that with others.”
On her life philosophy: “If everyone loved each other, the whole world would be a better place. Spread love amongst everyone.”
Finalist:
- Ashley Rabe / St. Louis Children’s Hospital, WashU Medicine
PEDIATRICS: NON-NEONATAL
Sybill Naidoo
Since 2002, Naidoo has provided pre- and post-operative care to more than 18,000 children, including some with abnormal head shapes who require cranial helmets. She’s published more than 80 articles on such conditions as plagiocephaly, craniosynostosis, and cleft palate.
On the nature of the job: “We have to treat each patient as individuals and know that each family situation and circumstances are different. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to patient care.”
On simple ways to support nursing students: “There are a lot of little things you can do. It might be, ‘I can let your dog out for you,’ or helping with something around the house, so they can get schoolwork done. We appreciate those just as much as big things.”
Finalists:
- Catherine Dezort / WashU Medicine
- Ellen Webb / SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
RESEARCH
Katheryne Tifuh Amba
SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
As a nurse scientist, Amba says no day is the same. Although Amba was raised in a family of physicians, it wasn’t until after she completed her degree in linguistics that she discovered nursing might be her true calling. In the role, Amba says she has a front-row seat to understanding the science behind why patients feel the way they do. In addition to her duties at the hospital, Amba serves as a reservist in the U.S. Air Force.
On working in research: “I am still taking care of patients, but it’s a different kind of way. We are using sciences. We’re using knowledge, encouraging and challenging the nurses to ask questions and to understand the rationale as to why they are doing certain activities.”
On managing the job’s stresses: “I try to take a deep breath. You have to do some grounding and breathe. I try to not overreact right away. If I can take myself out of a situation to recalibrate, it helps. At home, I do a lot of working out and dancing and your regular karaoke in the shower.”
Finalist:
- Corinne Merrill / WashU Medicine
WOMEN’S HEALTH
Nicki Harriman
A registered nurse and lactation consultant, Harriman has worked at Mercy Hospital for more than 25 years. She started in labor and delivery before becoming a certified lactation consultant. She later launched a car-seat-safety program, assisting those who need help with expired car seats or don’t have the money to purchase one. She also works with Indiana-based nonprofit The Milk Bank, setting up a drop station at the hospital where mothers can donate extra milk to help save infant lives and improve health outcomes.
On her favorite part about her job: “Any questions [patients] have as they are navigating the birthing experience. It’s nice to let them see everything before they deliver, do their car-seat check, and check all of their lactation stuff. It’s just a true sense of community.”
On a lesson she’s learned: “Baby steps. Take everything in stride. Things can change from when [patients] leave the hospital to when they come to see me the next week. You have to think outside the box and gather the story, the history, and listen.”
Finalists:
- Amber Lester / Christian Hospital
- Elizabeth Slais / Mercy Hospital St. Louis
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
Tina Bourbon
Like clockwork, Tina Sue Bourbon would arrive at the medical surgery unit of Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Festus an hour before her shift, always with a smile, her bangs curled, and her long hair in braids. “Her pens poked through her braid like a pair of chopsticks,” recalls her former colleague Lindsey Underwood, a registered nurse at Mercy Hospital Jefferson.
Bourbon was never without a smile. Her joy was infectious, a constant presence that carried her through even the most demanding nursing shifts. She began each shift by making a cappuccino and going to the desk where she’d prepare for patients and the other nurses she’d be working alongside.
Caring for others was not just Bourbon’s profession—it was her calling. She dedicated her life to her patients at Mercy and her family. “Tina stood unwavering in her duty to her patients, friends, and work family,” says Underwood. “No matter the chaos that surrounded her, she handled it with poise and compassion.”
For more than 35 years, Bourbon worked on the same medical surgery unit. She was known to many as Momma Tina. “She trained and mentored countless nurses,” recalls Marcus Laut, a surgical services nurse at Mercy Jefferson. “Tina would be charge on the floor, have a full team of six patients, and be training a new nurse at the same time, all while having a positive attitude.”
Her kindness went far beyond expectation. One colleague recalls how Bourbon visited her grandfather every day after he was admitted to the hospital, even when he wasn’t her patient. Another shared how Bourbon removed her stitches for her. She also helped a colleague and her family after her father had died.
“My first baby was a stillborn,” recalls a friend and former colleague. “I laid in bed for days—hadn’t showered or brushed my hair. Tina offered to braid it for me. My hair was past my back, and I remember being so grateful for such a simple act of kindness.”
Bourbon was always willing to help others and would often stay late to do so. She was a “selfless humanitarian,” says Emily Brown, a registered nurse at Mercy. “One of the most selfless people,” adds Colleen Dean, a patient care technician at Mercy. “Everyone who knew Tina loved her.”
Then, last November, at age 59, Bourbon passed away unexpectedly. Today, memories of Bourbon endure, with dozens of award nominations flooding in posthumously.
“I could go on and on about her,” says Dean. “She was an amazing person.”
SELECTION COMMITTEE
- Carli Culjat
associate professor, Florida State University College of Nursing - Debra Harrison
executive coach, MEDI; former chief nursing officer, Mayo Clinic - Lola Denise Jefferson
first vice president, National Black Nurses Association - Jessica Dean (JD) Murphy
assistant professor, Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing - Phyllis Zimmer
founder, Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Foundation
Congratulations to all of the finalists and winners!
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Editor’s Note: This article has been updated from an earlier version.
