At the Fourth Annual Regional Nightingale Awards Banquet in Durango on March 21, 2014, three Southwest Memorial Hospital (SWMH) nurses among 14 who were recognized for their achievements in outstanding patient care, nursing practice, compassion, leadership, advocacy and innovation.
The Nightingale Awards events began in 1985 to honor nurses who best exemplify the philosophy and practice of Florence Nightingale, a 19th century nursing pioneer who epitomized the art of helping people toward optimal health.
Lisa Gates, RN, has been a nurse for 15 years and currently works in the Same Day Surgery department at SWMH. She was nominated and named as a luminary for the prestigious Nightingale Award and won in her category for Southwest Colorado. Gates was further selected to represent Southwest Colorado in Denver in May at the state awards presentation.
Becky Oliver, RN, BSN, was also nominated and named a luminary for the Nightingale Award. She has been a registered nurse for 17 years at SWMH. For six years, Oliver was the director of emergency services, and continues to serve in that department. Oliver was also chosen to represent our area in her category at the Denver awards ceremony in May.
Southwest Memorial Hospital operating room nurse Jamie Ritthaler, RN, was nominated and recognized as a luminary at the regional awards ceremony in Durango. Ritthaler has been with SWMH for 24 years.
Allison Duran, RN, who works for the Montezuma County Health Department, was selected as a luminary and will be further recognized at the awards banquet in Denver.