OU MEDICINE RECEIVES HONORS AT ANNUAL ONA CONVENTION

OU Medicine nurses had a major presence at this year’s annual Oklahoma Nurses Association convention, receiving five awards, presenting 22 posters and leading breakout sessions with two podium speakers. The two-day convention was Oct. 25-26 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Tulsa. Fifty registered nurses from OU Medicine attended, more than any other healthcare organization.
OU Medicine was honored with the Excellence in the Workplace Award, which carries a five-year designation. This award is presented to organizations that have developed a positive work environment, demonstrated development of an innovative and effective program, approach or overall environment that promotes excellent nursing care, and supports nurses in their practice.
Melinda Laird, RN, and Tammy McGowen, RN, both received the Excellence in Nursing Award. This award honors ONA members who have developed an innovative, unique and creative approach utilizing nursing theory, knowledge and skills in any practice setting, including administration, education and/or direct patient care. Peers recognize these individuals as role models of consistently high quality nursing practice and as ones who enhance the image of professional nursing by creating an environment promoting professional autonomy and control over nursing practice.
Tracee Rose, RN, received the Nursing Research Award. This award honors the ONA member who has made a significant impact on nursing practice through research as a basis for practice innovation. Significant impact on nursing practice means that the nurse has contributed to the creation of new nursing knowledge through research findings, and has improved or created a plan for improving clinical nursing practice and/or patient outcomes in response to the findings.
The Friend of Nursing Award was given to Karen Kinney, M.D., of OU Physicians. This award honors non-nurses who have rendered valuable assistance to the nursing profession. The contributions and assistance provided to the nursing profession and healthcare in general are of statewide significance.
“I am extremely proud of all of the hard work our nurses put into their presentations at this year’s ONA convention and of our outstanding award winners,” said Cathy Pierce, Chief Nurse Executive at OU Medicine. “Our nurses represent the best of the profession and nursing practice here at OU Medicine, and we are thankful for the compassion and dedication they give our patients and families every day.”
OU Medicine – along with its academic partner, the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center – is the state’s only comprehensive academic health system of hospitals, clinics and centers of excellence. With 11,000 employees and more than 1,300 physicians and advanced practice providers, OU Medicine is home to Oklahoma’s largest physician network with a complete range of specialty care. OU Medicine serves Oklahoma and surrounding states with the state’s only freestanding children’s hospital, the only National Cancer Institute -Designated Cancer Center and Oklahoma’s flagship hospital, which serves as the state’s only Level 1 trauma center. OU Medicine’s mission is to lead healthcare in patient care, education and research. To learn more, visit oumedicine.com.