What is the Nurse of the Year initiative? The Missouri Chapter of March of Dimes will honor twenty nurses who exemplify an extraordinary level of patient care, compassion and customer service. Whether serving as health care provider, educator, researcher, chapter volunteer and/or advisor — nurses play a critical role in advancing the mission of March of Dimes.  Exceptional nurses employed in the state of Missouri and Illinois counties of Jersey, Madison, St. Clair, Clinton, Monroe, and Randolph are eligible. A selection committee comprised of health care professionals will review the confidential nomination forms and select twenty nurses to be honored at a gala event.  To nominate a nurse from the Missouri counties of Platte, Clay, Jackson, Cass and Bates, please contact the Kansas Chapter of March of Dimes: (913) 469-3611 DATE OF EVENT: October 25, 2014 LOCATION: Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel, 800 Washington Avenue, St. Louis MO 63101 TIME: Cocktails 6:00 pm, Dinner 7:00 pm, Awards 8:00 pm How to Submit a Nomination  Complete and submit a Nomination Form and return to Missouri Chapter of March of Dimes.  March of Dimes will accept nominations from June 1, 2014 until July 27, 2014.  Nomination forms can be found at marchofdimes.com/missouri/nurseoftheyear. Please contact Ann Fisher-Jackson at [email protected] or (314) 513-9962 to receive a hardcopy nomination form.  Nominees will receive a Nominee Confirmation Packet that must be returned by September 7, 2014 in order to be included in the selection process.  Nominees will be invited to attend the Nurse of the Year Awards Gala on October 25, 2014 at the Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel. Winners will be announced at the Gala. Sponsorship Opportunities Available Please contact Ann Fisher-Jackson 314.513.9962 • [email protected] The mission of March of Dimes is to improve the health of all babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. The Nurse of the Year initiative supports this mission while recognizing exceptional nurses throughout the state, celebrating the profession, and creating awareness of the advancements in the field. 2013 Highlights:    300 nurses nominated from 50 health care facilities throughout Missouri and Metro East Illinois 200 Nurse Finalists from 40 health care facilities throughout Missouri and Metro East Illinois Over $125,000 raised in support the March of Dimes Mission, and 700 guests were in attendance 2013 Committee:  Carolyn Beard, CoxHealth Jaskf                    Chris Crain, Mercy Kids Kimberly Danchus, Barnes Jewish Hospital Jan DeMasters, Chamberlain College of Nursing Christine “Kippy” DiRie, UMSL-College of Nursing Donna Frazier, Mercy East Communities Bernadette Hill, Mercy Jefferson Eve Holzemer, VA Medical Center Aaron Jackson, Keystone-IT Consulting Karen Jones, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield Cathy Koeln, Barnes Jewish Hospital Shawn Powers, Sparta Community Hospital Anne Schappe, Webster University Amy Schwent, Mercy Jefferson Terry Summers, Health Care Family Credit Union Kim Tuck, NurseWise Coreen Vlodarchyk, Barnes Jewish Hospital Nancy Willard, Actavis Maggie Wolf, St. Louis Children’s Hospital Krissy Ziegler, NurseWise 2013 Sponsors: 2013 Honorees:                     Sister Mary Jeremy Buckman, Sister of Mercy Michelle Nadler, St. Louis Children’s Hospital Catherine Patterson, Mercy Lucianne Tarter, Access Family Care Susan Flake, St. Louis Children’s Hospital Gregory L. Alexander, University of Missouri, Sinclair School of Nursing Jennifer Hanford, University of Missouri, Women’s and Children’s Hospital Sarah Cammack, University of Missouri, Women’s and Children’s Hospital Margaret Bultas, Saint Louis University Helen Sandkuhl, Saint Louis University Hospital Verna Ferguson, Saint Louis University Jeanne Zack, Missouri Baptist Medical Center Laurie Sparks, Missouri Baptist Medical Center Laurie Weaver, Urgent Care for Kids Marcy Keltner, CoxHealth Debra Parran, St. Louis Children’s Hospital Cathy Hogan, SSM Cardinal Glennon Dana Houle, Nurse Response Amber Tarasyuk, Goldfarb School of Nursing at Barnes Jewish College Susan Kendig, UMSL-College of Nursing Barnes Jewish Hospital, Catherine McAuley School of Nursing at Maryville University, Chamberlain College of Nursing, Health Care Family Credit Union, McCarthy Building Companies, Mercy, and Webster University