Three Local Nurses Receive Awards for National Nurses Day
May 9, 2016SYRACUSE, N.Y. (May 9, 2016) –St. Joseph’s Health celebrated National Nurses’ Day May 6th at the hospital, featuring the annual Nurses Day Awards ceremony. The awards recognize nurses who are nominated by their peers for their outstanding performance of nursing practice, nursing leadership and nursing education.
FUN FACT: Exactly 167 years ago today, on May 6, 1849, was the commissioning day for St. Joseph’s Hospital. And on that day, St. Marianne Cope stepped into the role of the first nurse for the hospital on what would have been Nurses Day.
The nursing practice award recognizes a nurse involved in direct patient care who is seen by peers as one who contributes to the advancement of nursing practice and demonstrates strength of character, commitment and competence. This year’s winner is Annette Kuss, RN. Annette has been a St. Joseph’s nurse for 50 years! She is a Coordinator in the Cardiology Lab, and has been recognized specifically for her commitment to ensuring the quality of the facility as well as her leadership with new nurses.
Martha Austin, RN, received the nursing leadership award, which recognizes a nurse leader who demonstrates exceptional leadership, guidance and service to St. Joseph's and the profession of nursing. Martha has been the Nurse Manager at St. Joseph’s Primary Care Center-West since 2012, overseeing the Westside Family Health Center, Maternal Child Health Center OB/GYN and Pediatric Offices. She was recognized by her peers for her compassionate, encouraging and supportive leadership style.
The nursing education award was presented to Mary Anne Wall, RN, MS, who was recognized as a nurse who mentors and teaches nursing practice excellence and collaboration. Mary Anne has worked at St. Joseph’s as a staff educator for more than 20 years, and has served as a Clinical Nurse Specialist in Critical Care since 2011. She was honored for her patience, dedication, reflection and social skills, and her humor, among other strong qualities.
About St. Joseph’s Health
St. Joseph’s Health is a non-profit regional health care system based in Syracuse, N.Y., providing services to patients throughout Central New York and northern Pennsylvania. From primary to specialty to home care, to our Magnet-recognized hospital, and in collaboration with our community partners, St. Joseph's Health is advancing the health of the communities we serve through an expanding range of healthcare services to ensure our patients achieve optimum long-term health. Ranked by Consumer Reports among the top 15 heart surgery centers in the country, U.S. News “Best Regional Hospital” and a 15-time winner of the National Research Corporation Consumer Choice award, St. Joseph’s is widely recognized for quality, value and delivering the highest patient satisfaction. St. Joseph’s Health is affiliated with Franciscan Companies and St. Joseph’s Physicians and is a part of Trinity Health.
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Cutline: Martha Austin, RN, (left) received the nursing leadership award and Mary Anne Wall, RN, MS, (right) received the nursing education award (Annette Kuss, RN who won the nursing practice award was unable to attend the ceremony)
