Excellence in Nursing 2016 Winners

The remarkable efforts of nurses in St. Louis often go unnoticed. They consistently exhibit selfless care, compassion and service. To honor these dedicated nurses, St. Louis Magazine hosted our seventh annual Excellence in Nursing Awards reception presented by Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College. 

Last fall, we put out the call for nominations and received more than 200 submissions. While each and every one of the nominees had an outstanding background in their field, the judges carefully narrowed the list to 66 exceptional finalists in 19 categories. Watch the video below to hear more about a few of the finalists.

EXCELLENCE IN NURSING 2016 WINNERS

RESEARCH

Tracey Guthrie, Washington University School of Medicine

The change started with a flier. Guthrie was working as a staff nurse at Barnes-Jewish in 1997 when she saw a posting for a research position. “I thought, ‘That might stimulate a different side of my brain,’” she says, “so I just jumped in.” Today she’s the director of clinical trials, clinical effectiveness, and patient safety, overseeing research for multiple divisions.  “The work I’m doing could affect even more patients in the future,” she says.

On how healthcare has changed: “A big change is looking at the whole view of a patient. Typically, it was just X procedure, and that’s all we need to know. Now we’re mapping out their whole experience. ”

ACUTE CARE / FAMILY PRACTICE / GENERAL MEDICINE

Jeffrey Hildebrand, Mercy Hospital St. Louis

Hildebrand once cared for a World War II veteran who, as a prisoner of war, was held in the concentration camp depicted in The Great Escape. “The man was a genuinely great personality with wonderful stories,” recalls Hildebrand, who works in Mercy Hospital’s transitional care unit/burn unit. “He enjoyed telling them as much as I enjoyed listening to them.” For Hildebrand, being able to “dialogue with every make and model of person” is one of the job’s greatest rewards.

On the job’s biggest challenge: “Multitasking. I believe that men and women can both be great at multitasking. However, I believe that this is a talent that most women inherently possess; men have to work and condition the multitasking skills.”

Advice to new nurses: “Be patient with yourself. Don’t hesitate to tell physicians that you’re a new nurse, and only do what you are prepared to answer for.”

INTENSIVE CARE  

Bethany Westlake, Mercy Hospital St. Louis

A nurse manager in Mercy’s transitional care unit/burn unit, Westlake is often the go-to person in her department. She manages daily operations and scheduling and tries to ensure that patients are satisfied. With all those responsibilities, her biggest challenge is time. “There is never enough time in a day to do everything,” she says. “There is always an article I want to read, a patient I want to spend more time with, or a co-worker I want to just sit with and see how life is going.”

Advice to new nurses: “Always ask questions, never stop trying to learn, and laugh.”

Why she decided to become a nurse: “I always loved the medical field, and nursing allowed me more time at the bedside with the patients. To be with them during the difficult times and then watching them recover and walk out of the hospital is a very fulfilling experience.”

WOMEN'S HEALTH (TIE)

Kristine Ziegler, Envolve / Centene Corporation

“From the beginning, I’ve always wanted to help people,” says Ziegler, who was recently named VP of multi-product solutions for Envolve, an integrated-care solution company comprising Centene’s subsidiaries. “Even in my more business-related roles, I have continued to provide service to individuals to improve their health and the care they receive.” For women, that includes programs that promote well-

being, including maternal health for high-risk patients, medication adherence programs, health education, and wellness screenings. “Women tend to care for others more than themselves,” says Ziegler. “I’m proud to be able to create programs that provide needed care and resources so women are empowered to care for themselves, too.”

Advice to new nurses: “Get your feet wet first in floor nursing. There is a plethora of career options waiting for you; you just may not realize that at first. Having the foundation in floor nursing opens the door for other ways of caring for others.”

CARDIOVASCULAR

Ashley Lancaster, Barnes-Jewish Hospital

When Lancaster, a registered nurse in Barnes-Jewish’s cardiothoracic ICU, discovered that a patient loved the Cardinals, she printed a schedule and made sure the games were on. “Once he was fully awake, it was important to him to have something familiar and normal,” she says. “We’re meeting patients and their families for just a snippet of time; if we can help them feel comfortable, that’s huge.”

On challenges: “We take care of some of the sickest people in the Midwest. The heart-lung bypass machine acts as both a heart and lungs, and it works outside the patient. It’s hard for families when they realize, ‘What did I do to my loved one? Is this even going to work?’ It’s hard when you’re the nurse and they have to trust you fully, and they’ve never met you.”

On TV hospital dramas: “When Grey’s Anatomy came out, I watched one episode, and I’m, like, ‘None of this actually happens. I can’t watch.’ There was once a show based on everyday hospital life, and they probably took it off the air because it was too intense for people.”

EDUCATOR (TIE)

Deborah Loman, Saint Louis University

A full-time educator in SLU’s graduate nursing program, Loman helped develop the school’s primary care pediatric nurse practitioner program two decades ago. She often serves as a mentor for Ph.D. students, including two international students who implemented pilot projects in Thailand to prevent childhood obesity. Loman also practices in a clinic within an underserved population, seeing children for well-child checkups and sick visits.

Why she’s a nurse: “One of my brothers was born with a heart defect and died at 9 months. He was always a happy baby, even when he was sick, so the focus was on promoting his quality of life and creating memories—an important aspect of nursing. I also worked as a nursing assistant during high school in the surgical area. One of the brightest and most dedicated people there was the nurse anesthetist, who focused on protecting the patient during surgery and staying alert for any early changes. I realized then that being a nurse could influence the well-being of people who place their lives in your hands.”

On handling stress: “Get some exercise and sleep to keep things in perspective. Talk things over with a friend.”

ONCOLOGY

Katie Gettinger, St. Louis Children’s Hospital / Washington University School of Medicine

Gettinger knew she wanted to become a pediatric oncology nurse in the third grade, when a school friend fought a successful battle against leukemia. At age 16, she began volunteering in the department. Today, she treats children and families in the Children’s Cancer Predisposition Program, as well as patients who are dealing with their treatment’s long-term effects.

On the job’s rewards: “The moments of great joy come when a child who has been battling through treatment is done and gets to ring the bell as a symbol of

being finished with therapy, when parents get the news their child is in remission, or when a child gets to go back to school and is having awesome experiences despite their hardships.”

On working with survivors: “I get to see these kids anywhere from two to 30 years after their treatments, when they’re living meaningful lives. A lot of them go on to do wonderful things and are called to serve kids in similar situations.”

PEDIATRICS: NEONATAL

Mary Raney, St. Louis Children’s Hospital

Raney’s profession has changed a lot since she became a nurse in 1975, but she’s evolved right along with it, staying abreast of the latest research and adopting the best products to treat the most fragile of patients: newborns. Last year, when the hospital received a patient with a severe abdominal wound, Raney urged that the wound be treated with a product she’d obtained from Europe. She shared information about the product with the medical team and wrote strict guidelines. After the hospital approved, the wound healed without surgery and the infant was transferred to a hospital closer to home.

On the role of families: “When I began nursing, parents were visitors in the NICU; family-centered care came to our attention in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Because of wonderful parents, it was obvious how important including the family is. Parents helped me recognize I am only a part of the medical team. Parents are the most important people in that infant’s life. It’s not me.”

NEUROLOGY / PSYCHOLOGY / BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

B.J. Hipsky, Mercy Hospital St. Louis

As stroke coordinator at Mercy, Hipsky is responsible for organizing activities at Mercy Stroke Center, as well as managing the annual Mercy Stroke Symposium, a stroke education program that she initiated. Her commitment stems from several personal experiences, including once caring for a friend in the emergency department. She strives to educate others across the medical center about stroke care. “It has been gratifying to see a team from so many hospital departments come together to care, collaborate, and educate,” she says.

Advice to new nurses: “Never lose sight of the patient; you have an opportunity to make a difference in their life.”

On handling stress: “I can go home at the end of the day and know that I tried my best.”

COMMUNITY CARE / AMBULATORY CARE

Kathleen Thimsen, Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College

Thimsen’s instruction extends beyond her role as an assistant professor at Goldfarb. Through health fairs and community outreach, Thimsen has helped many at-risk St. Louisans. “A lot of our population doesn’t trust the healthcare system, so for nurses to be in the community, we serve as ambassadors to the whole system,” she says. Thimsen has led seminars on everything from human trafficking to family caregiving. “My students tell me, ‘I never thought a nurse would listen to me.’”

On the scope of nursing jobs: “I’m a clinical person by nature, but I’m kind of a gypsy nurse. I love being in the trenches, but I’ve also worked with medical devices, sold patents, and am now sharing my experiences with younger nurses. I’m showing them that nurses can fit into a lot of places, but they have to see all that’s available to them.”

On building relationships: “I was teaching a community health class, and there was a 23-year-old former gang member attending. Another student told me it was his birthday, so I went across the street and bought a cake. This young man wept. No one had ever gotten him a birthday cake in his life. I realized it’s the little human interventions that change people’s lives.”

ADVANCED PRACTICE

Brian Torres, Washington University / Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College

When Torres was in high school, an assignment required him to look through an alphabetized list of careers. He stopped in the A’s when he came across “anesthesia nurse.” He learned more about the field from his mother, an active military nurse. Today, he’s a registered nurse anesthetist and assistant program director for the nurse anesthesia program at Wash. U. “Who knows if it had been listed otherwise?” he says, “I might have chosen a different specialty.”

On handling stress: “If you take a deep breath and slow things down, it sets the tone for everyone else.”

On the job’s rewards: “It really does feed the soul. At the end of the day you’ve helped someone get through a very tough period of their life.”

SCHOOL

Ann Body, Ladue School District

In the Ladue schools, Body has two roles—the district’s nurse coordinator and the Ladue Fifth Grade Center’s primary nurse—but she has another, informal title: food police. Besides watching for potential food allergies, she considers nutritional value. “Food, especially candy, seems to be the most popular reward for students,” she says. “However, this generation of kids leads a far more sedentary lifestyle than previous generations and would really benefit from more activity and fewer empty calories.”

On the job’s rewards: “The best parts of my job are the generous smiles and greetings I get every day when I walk down the hallways. It’s fun to follow the students as they move on to middle and high school and develop into confident, caring young adults.”

Advice to new nurses: “Be open to opportunities to grow. My career has allowed me to practice nursing in many ways: as a bedside nurse, a supervisor, an educator, a physician’s assistant, a cath lab nurse, and now a school nurse. I did not seek out many of these jobs, but someone gave me an opportunity and I seized it. All have been learning experiences that allowed me to bloom and grow into the nurse I am today. I have a unique skill set because I said, ‘Why not?’”

PEDIATRICS: NON-NEONATAL

Kathleen Houston, St. Louis Children’s Hospital

Houston worked an 8-to-5 management job before the capstone project for her nursing doctorate inspired her to spearhead the region’s only pediatric sexual assault nurse examiner program, designed to provide better care for the youngest victims of sexual assault and abuse. These days, Houston, who started at Children’s in 1989, carries a pager again and spends a week at a time on call to respond to emergencies.

On the job’s rewards: “It’s very satisfying work, as sad as it is. As a medical provider, you’re making such an impact on these kids’ lives, and you’ve got one shot to do it right.”

Advice to new nurses: “Follow your passion. It might take several years to realize exactly what that is—to find your niche—and then to make a difference, to be a change agent. You’ll never regret that.”

WOMEN'S HEALTH (TIE)

Stephanie Johnson, Missouri Baptist Medical Center

Whether it’s speaking with a referring physician, troubleshooting an equipment malfunction, or holding the hand of a nervous patient, Johnson always aims to deliver comprehensive, compassionate care. As manager of MoBap’s Breast HealthCare Center, she oversees daily operations, as well as planning for future growth and innovation.

On overcoming adversity: “Something that has always helped me in the face of an obstacle or challenge is to take a moment to assess the situation and gather the facts—this helps me separate the actual problem from how the problem is making me feel—then develop a plan and tackle the challenge step by step. If plan A doesn’t work, go to plan B or C—just keep moving forward with the end in mind. And forgive yourself if you are not successful; sometimes we learn more from our failures than accomplishments.”

HOSPICE / HOME HEALTH / PALLIATIVE CARE / LONG-TERM CARE

Gloria Meek, Pathways Hospice & Palliative Care

Meek was 39 when she quit her job and signed up for SLU’s accelerated nursing program. When friends and family members second-guessed her, she told them that she was fulfilling a lifelong dream. A decade later, in 2008, she became a certified advanced practice nurse for hospice and palliative care. Earlier this year, the nurse practitioner was appointed to the American Nurses Association’s advisory group for palliative and hospice nursing professional issues.

On the job’s rewards: “On a daily basis, I have the opportunity to be an advocate for residents and families, whether it is talking with the therapy department or the dietary service. It’s rewarding to see residents and families make difficult treatment decisions with the information I’ve provided them.”

Advice to new nurses: “Always come to work prepared, and know your patient population. The preceptor assigned during orientation is your ally for a successful nursing career. Find a nurse mentor who can offer advice, guidance, and counsel. It sounds old-fashioned, but keep a small pad in your pocket to jot down questions or subjects to look up later. Consider joining a nurses’ association because it will provide continuing education and networking opportunities. And last but not least, on your days off, get some fresh air.”

EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

Katherine Mercurio, Barnes-Jewish Hospital

If any job in medicine is at all similar to Hollywood’s version, it might be Mercurio’s job as an emergency department nurse. “When we get patients in the ER, we don’t have a diagnosis,” she says. “We don’t have the tests and the charts. We’re putting the pieces together as we go along.” Recently Mercurio cared for a woman in her third trimester of pregnancy who had been involved in a car accident. The woman went into labor in the emergency department. “In those stressful situations,” Mercurio says, “you stay calm and trust the people you’re working with.” As a trauma nurse core course instructor, she’s showing the next generation of nurses how to do just that.

On working under pressure: “We’re the busiest emergency department in the area, and we see everything from car wrecks to gunshot wounds. It’s super stressful. Emergency medicine is a team sport, from the physicians down to the secretary and everyone in between. You have to be able to trust the people you work with—they’re the people who have your back.”

On her golden rule: “Treat each patient like they are your family member, no matter how mad they are, or how bad they smell, or how sick or not sick they are. Treat them like someone you love. I treat everybody like they’re my mom.”

NURSE ADMINISTRATION

Susanne Rosenberg, St. Louis Children’s Hospital

As a pediatric oncology nurse manager, Rosenberg oversees a large team of staffers who care

for patients in the hematology/oncology unit at St. Louis Children’s Hospital. But it isn’t all about paperwork and protocols for Rosenberg, who’s stepped in many times when patients, families, and colleagues needed medical and emotional support.

On the job’s importance: “I witness every day the intense struggles our patients and families have. The ability of nursing staff to brighten their day and advocate on their behalf is the reason we all come to work.”

Advice to new nurses: “Listen to patients and families. Their journey—and everything that’s accompanied them on that journey—provides a valuable lesson that nurses can learn from to best take care of them.”

MEDICAL-SURGICAL NURSING

Melissa Capps, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital

Helping cardiac patients is more than an occupation for Capps, a clinical support nurse at St. Mary’s. “Being a nurse is not just my job; it’s who I am,” says Capps, who’s served in the unit for her entire career, almost nine years. In her role as preceptor and futures instructor for recent graduates, she also enjoys helping new nurses feel more comfortable. Her advice: “Being a nurse is not easy, but if it’s what you love and you are committed to do a good job, then you will.”

On handling stress: “Sometimes I just have to stop and take a deep breath. I have to remind myself that stressing out does not make things better, only worse, so I try to remain calm.”

ORTHOPEDICS

Kathleen Kreitner, St. Louis Children’s Hospital

A former surgical nurse, Kreitner at one time treated mostly patients who were under anesthesia. “Nearing the end of my career, something told me I wanted to be with patients who are awake,” she quips. Today she’s a pediatric orthopedic nurse coordinator, and her patients are children with spine- and foot-related issues. “I like to get a feel for their whole family situation,” she says, adding, “I ask how Grandma is doing.”

On talking with teenagers: “Sometimes, with older kids, the mom wants to speak for them. I ask them questions directly, and Mom’s mouth is dropping open at all the things they’re telling me. I’m asking them instead of speaking for them.”

On Facebook: “We bring in a lot of new patients by being accessible on Facebook. People ask questions and reach out. We copy and paste a lot of data that patients share over email and Facebook onto their charts.”

EDUCATOR (TIE)

Elizabeth Alseth, St. Louis Children’s Hospital

Alseth spends countless hours off the clock visiting schools, coordinating educational events, and organizing diabetes support groups. She strives to make each child feel like the star player on a winning squad comprising medical professionals, parents, and other caring adults. She’s even been known to let young patients learn to administer insulin injections by giving her (harmless) saline shots.

On encouraging young patients: “I tell the kids they’re the star player, but medical professionals are the support—the fans—and the parents are the coaches. They are not alone in this.”

On handling stress: “I tell myself to breathe, be gentle with myself, and set boundaries. I’m also fortunate to work with an amazing team.”

EMERGING LEADER

Lindsay Mcdowell, Mercy Hospital St. Louis

Before becoming a nurse, McDowell was unsure of a career path. She found herself unsatisfied after changing her major several times in college and earning a degree in an unrelated field. But eventually she decided to become a registered nurse, and now she works in Mercy’s trauma/neuro ICU. “I am thankful all roads led to nursing,” she says.

On handling stress: “I try to live a healthy lifestyle, I spend time with my family, and I pray a lot… I used to take on too much and overwhelm myself. The most difficult thing to do is accept help and rely on co-workers.”

Advice to new nurses: “Hang in there. I know there is so much pressure, but it’s going to get better.”

The job’s rewards: “The most rewarding aspect of nursing is having the honor to touch people’s lives who in turn touch my life.”

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FINALISTS

Acute Care/Family Practice/General Medicine

• Tonya Bland, SLUCare
• Jeffrey Hildebrand, Mercy Hospital St. Louis
• Jackie Sutton, St. Anthony’s Medical Center

Advanced Practice

• Margaret Kramper, Washington University School of Medicine
• Catherine Reese, St. Louis Children’s Hospital / SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital
• Brian Torres, Washington University School of Medicine / Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College

Cardiovascular

• Kathleen Burlingham, Mercy Hospital St. Louis
• Katherine Hodges, St. Anthony’s Medical Center
• Ashley Lancaster, Barnes-Jewish Hospital
• Mary Petersen, St. Luke’s Hospital

Community Care/Ambulatory Care

• Victoria Grillo, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
• Kathleen Thimsen, Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College

Educator

• Elizabeth Alseth, St. Louis Children’s Hospital
• Margaret Bultas, Saint Louis University
• Deborah Loman, Saint Louis University
• Nina Westhus, Saint Louis University
• Jennifer Williams, Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Emergency Department

• Patricia Hill, Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital
• Katherine Mercurio, Barnes-Jewish Hospital
• Chelsea Nolan, SSM Health DePaul Hospital

Emerging Leader

• Laura Dickinson, SSM Health DePaul Hospital
• Lindsay McDowell, Mercy Hospital St. Louis
• Angie Ruffino, St. Louis Children’s Hospital

Hospice/Home Health/Palliative Care/Long-Term Care

• Carol Massmann, St. Louis Children’s Hospital
• Gloria Meek, Pathways Hospice & Palliative Care
• Jane Olsen, AccuCare
• Sheila Purdy, Mercy Hospice
• Melissa Zuccarello, Veterans Administration Medical Center

Intensive Care

• Ashley Conway, Mercy Hospital St. Louis
• Laura Joellenbeck, Barnes-Jewish Hospital
• Natalie Morrison, Mercy Hospital St. Louis
• Stefanie Struckhoff, Mercy Hospital St. Louis
• Bethany Westlake, Mercy Hospital St. Louis

Medical-Surgical Nursing

• Meaghan Boland, Missouri Baptist Medical Center
• Melissa Capps, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital
• Kim Padgett, St. Anthony’s Medical Center

Neurology/Psychology/Behavioral Health

• Marnie Donohoo, Mercy Hospital St Louis
• Lindsay Freeman, Washington University School of Medicine
• B.J. Hipsky, Mercy Hospital St. Louis
• Nancy Jackson, SSM Health DePaul Hospital

Nurse Administration

• Kathleen Francis, SSM Health Cardinal Glennon/St. Louis Fetal Care Institute
• Susanne Rosenberg, St. Louis Children’s Hospital

Oncology

• Lindsay Brefeld, SSM Health Medical Group
• Patricia Dulle, Barnes-Jewish Hospital
• Katie Gettinger, Washington University School of Medicine/St. Louis Children’s Hospital
• Mary Stecher, Washington University School of Medicine

Orthopedics

• Melinda Brinkhorst, Washington University School of Medicine
• Shannon Clouse, Washington University School of Medicine
• Robin Gilder, SSM Health DePaul Hospital
• Kathleen Kreitner, St. Louis Children’s Hospital
• Jennifer Ledbetter, Washington University School of Medicine

Pediatrics: Neonatal

• Mary Raney, St. Louis Children’s Hospital
• Anne Sirko, SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital
• Annie Sokolich, St. Louis Children’s Hospital

Pediatrics: Non-Neonatal

• Kira Geile, Washington University School of Medicine/St. Louis Children’s Hospital
• Kathleen Houston, St. Louis Children’s Hospital
• Terosia Williams, Nurses for Newborns

Research

• Tracey Guthrie, Washington University School of Medicine
• Horng-Shiuann Wu, Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes-Jewish College

School

• Ann Body, Ladue School District
• Heidi Lanham, Pattonville School District

Women’s Health

• Jessica Henman, Birth and Wellness Center
• Stephanie Johnson, Missouri Baptist Medical Center
• Megan Little, Missouri Baptist Medical Center
• Shelly Sansoucie, Allied Associates in OB-GYN / Signature Health Services
• Kristine Ziegler, Envolve / Centene Corporation

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Special thanks to this year's selection committee.

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