The remarkable efforts of nurses in St. Louis often go unnoticed. They consistently exhibit selfless care, compassion, and service. To recognize the outstanding nurses at area hospitals, schools, and clinics across the region, St. Louis Magazine hosts its annual Excellence in Nursing Awards, presented by BJC HealthCare and Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College.
Following a call for nominations last fall, a prestigious panel of judges scored nearly 300 submissions. The 2020 selection committee included:
- Rita F. D’Aoust, Associate dean for teaching and learning at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
- Rebecca Harris-Smith, Dean of Nursing and Allied Health, South Louisiana Community College; Board of Directors, National Black Nurses Association
- Debra Harrison, Executive coach at MEDI, former chief nursing officer of Mayo Clinic
- Sarah Thompson, Dean of the University of Missouri School of Nursing
- Brigit Van Graafeiland, Assistant professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing
- Carli Zegers, Assistant professor of the University of Missouri-Kansas City
- Phyllis Zimmer, Founder of the Nurse Practitioner Healthcare Foundation
- Debra Toney, President of the National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations
While all of the nominees had outstanding backgrounds in their field, the panel helped select 62 exceptional finalists across 19 categories.
Acute Care/Family Practice
- Lauren Carqueville, Mercy Clinic Primary Care
- Gina Heberlie, Midwest Health Group
- Michelle Jackson, St. Luke’s Hospital
- Janice Meyer, Mercy Clinic Primary Care
Administration
- Becky Allen, Mercy Hospital St. Louis
- Pam Golden, SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital
- David Potter, Washington University School of Medicine, Barnes-Jewish Hospital
- Beth Riemer, Mercy Hospital South
Advanced Practice
- Vijay Divakaran, Mercy Hospital South
- Samantha Marquard, Saint Louis University School of Nursing
- Mary Sullivan, Washington University School of Medicine
Cardiovascular
- Brittany Ash, Mercy Hospital Washington
- Amanda Cross, Progress West Hospital
- Debbie Gray, Mercy Hospital St. Louis
- Sonja Green, Mercy Hospital St. Louis, Maryville University
- Anastasia Schmidt, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis Children’s Hospital
Community Care/Ambulatory
- Crystal Bailey, Betty Jean Kerr People’s Health Centers
- Terra Borkowski, SSM Health St. Clare Hospital
- Kimberly Ewing, St. Louis Children’s Hospital
- Kim Pastrana, SSM Health St. Clare Hospital
- Allison Vierling, St. Louis Children’s Hospital
Educator
- Janelle Holthaus, Barnes-Jewish Hospital
- Jean Krampe, Saint Louis University School of Nursing
- Deirdre Schweiss, Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College
Emergency Department
- Jennifer Elbert, Mercy Hospital Washington
- Rachel Hager, Mercy Hospital St. Louis, Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital
- Kathryn Sanders, Missouri Baptist Medical Center
- Lashonda Walton, St. Luke’s Hospital
Emerging Leader
- Connor Abts, St. Louis Altenheim
- Amina Musa, Barnes-Jewish Hospital
- Kerry Zimmerman, Barnes-Jewish Hospital
Hospice/Home Health/Palliative Care
- Flora Badra, BJC Hospice
- Rachel Sauer, Mercy Specialty and Home Infusion
Intensive Care
- Kathleen “Kitty” Bess, Barnes-Jewish Hospital
- Mary McCoy, Mercy Hospital St. Louis
- Jessica Tocco, St. Luke’s Hospital
Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Ashley Comeau, Missouri Baptist Medical Center
- Mary Moll, Mercy Hospital South
- Julia Williams, Barnes-Jewish Hospital, Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College
Neurology/Psychology/Behavioral Health
- Nicholas Bauer, Missouri Baptist Medical Center
- Denelle Cordia, Mercy Hospital South
- Kaitlyn Stumpe, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
Oncology
- Cristina McGroarty, Saint Louis University School of Nursing
- Ashley Morton, Washington University School of Medicine
Orthopedics
- Leslie Hasamear, Washington University School of Medicine
- Jean Kiburz, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
- Megan Knetzer, Washington University School of Medicine
Pediatrics: Neonatal
- Heather Miller, Mercy Children’s Hospital St. Louis
- Kimmie Pacatte, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
- Lisa Silverman, Washington University School of Medicine
Pediatrics: Non-Neonatal
- Ellen Coates, St. Louis Children’s Hospital
- Renee Davis, Saint Louis University School of Nursing
- Allison Faron, St. Louis Children’s Hospital
- Angela Kaminski, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis Children’s Hospital
Research
- Cynthia Copeland, Barnes-Jewish Hospital
- JoAnn Franklin, University of Missouri Sinclair School of Nursing
School
- Heather Christman, Clayton School District
- Pam Holzer, Francis-Howell School District
- Mary Ellen Simmons, Ladue School District
Women’s Health
- Jody Bakameyer, Mercy Hospital Washington
- Annie Lee, Barnes-Jewish Hospital
- Kelly Lovan-Gold, Saint Louis University School of Nursing
Congratulations to all of the finalists!
