National Nurse and Teacher Appreciation

Nurse Spotlight:

Teacher Spotlight:

Stacy W., Riley Children's Health, Education Liaison

It is with great admiration that I nominate Liseda S. for the National Nurse Appreciation Award. Her unwavering dedication, compassion, and commitment to patient care make her truly deserving of this recognition. What sets Liseda apart is not just her clinical excellence but her deep empathy for patients, particularly those who have no one else by their side. Time and time again, she has stayed past her shifts, sitting at the bedsides of patients who have no family to comfort them. Whether holding a hand, offering words of reassurance, or simply being present, Liseda ensures that no patient ever feels alone in their most vulnerable moments. One particularly moving instance was when Liseda stayed overnight with a terminally ill patient who had no visitors. She provided comfort, dignity, and companionship in their final hours, reminding us all that nursing is not just about medicine—it is about humanity. Her kindness extends beyond individual patients, as she continuously supports her colleagues, mentors new nurses, and advocates for the highest standards of care. Her selflessness, resilience, and ability to bring comfort in the hardest moments exemplify the very best of nursing. For these reasons, I wholeheartedly nominate Liseda S. for this honor. Her impact reaches far beyond the bedside, and this recognition would be a small but meaningful way to celebrate her extraordinary heart and dedication.

Nominated by Brawn N.

Stacy works on a daily basis with school age children that are admitted to Riley with health issues such as Cancer or Heart issues. She works with the children that are hospitalized long and short term along with their schools to ensure the children don't get behind in their schooling when they return. She goes above and beyond to ensure the children are not forgotten at their school by using technology to video chat with their classmates and teachers. She also works with a program called Bear in the Chair. This program delivers a large stuffed bear to the school and that bear is placed in the students’ desk as a remembrance that child is not in school but not forgotten what they are going through. The hardest part of her job is when children don't make it back to school due to passing away from their health condition. Stacy goes above and beyond to work with schools to make a very emotional time for the family less difficult. One example of this was a child she was working with was given weeks to live. The child's last wish was to graduate from high school. Stacy worked with the child's school to determine what could be done and was able to obtain a special degree that was presented to the child and their family. This meant the world to this family and helped them through their grief. This is just one example of the work Stacy does and the impact she has on children and their families lives that are turned upside down due to an illness to help bring a little bit of normalcy by providing educational needs. 

Nominated by Tim W.

Nurse Spotlight:

Teacher Spotlight:

Madolyn T., Westlake Elementary School

I am pleased to submit this nomination in recognition of the extraordinary dedication and hard work exhibited by Kristin, who has truly made a remarkable impact in her role as a nurse and educator. As we approach National Nurses and Teacher Appreciation Week, I appreciate the opportunity to celebrate individuals like Kristin who go above and beyond in their service to others.

Kristin MSN, RN, CNE, has demonstrated exceptional commitment to her profession and community. She is a full-time nursing faculty at Indiana University School of Nursing (IUSON) in Indianapolis. As a nurse and educator, she brings a unique and effective blend of empathy, passion, and expertise to interactions with her students, colleagues, and patients. She is a strong advocate for the health, education, and well-being of each individual.

Kristin has consistently demonstrated excellence in the field of nursing. Over the past 22 years, she has cared for countless clients in Indiana, Illinois and Vermont within the areas of Cardio-Pulmonary, Acute Rehabilitation, and Home Health, providing the highest quality of care. She incorporates evidence-based and holistic care during encounters with clients and their families.

Through her community efforts, she has volunteered her time to serve those of underserved populations, particularly in Guatemala and Mexico. In addition, just this year, Kristin was a volunteer nurse during a large annual swim meet hosted by Brownsburg Swim Club at the IUI Natatorium. Kristin is passionate about water safety, so it was only fitting that in 2023, she became a certified instructor for Adult Learn-To-Swim.

As a nurse educator, Kristin is dedicated to the success of her students. She has created and implemented unique learning strategies to actively engage students of various learning styles (i.e., auditory, visual, kinesthetic). She collaborates with her educational colleagues to provide a learning environment that encourages and motivates nursing students to grow and thrive, no matter their gender, race, and/or culture. For example, Kristin and a colleague recently developed a new simulation experience in which students must utilize nursing assessment skills to identify cardiovascular changes in a high-fidelity computerized mannikin.

Additionally, Kristin volunteers as an Interprofessional Education (IPE) facilitator, allowing her to guide the development and application of collaborate skills of students from various health and social care professions, such as medicine, dentistry, dietician, physician assistant, and nursing. She recently earned a micro-credential IPE badge, demonstrating her commitment to serving students in the university community. To further demonstrate her expertise as an academic nurse educator in preparing nurses for the profession, Kristin earned the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) recognition by the National League for Nursing in 2021. She continues to regularly participate in professional development activities to advance her knowledge, skills, and excellence in nursing education practice.

Through her commitment and dedication, Kristin has had a significant, positive impact on the community. Whether it’s providing life-saving care in the community setting or fostering an inclusive learning environment where every student feels supported and inspired to reach their full potential, Kristin makes a positive and lasting impression.

It is with confidence and deep admiration that I nominate Kristin for recognition during National Nurses and Teacher Appreciation Week. Her unwavering commitment to the care of patients/family members as well as to the education of nursing students has not only made a difference in the lives of those she serves but has also set an example for what it means to be a true professional and compassionate human being.

Nominated by Ann W.

Kristin is both a nurse and a teacher. She teaches first semester nursing students how to complete head to toe assessments: the foundation of nursing practice. She cares deeply about her students and patients. She is also a home health care nurse. In addition to her busy teaching schedule, she finds time to care for a severely disabled individual every week. She is very deserving of some appreciation!

Nominated by Ellen B.

Madolyn is a diverse and extremely talented teacher that is passionate about what she does and the students she serves. As the number of teachers in schools is dwindling, Madolyn is dedicated to making sure the next generation has the same opportunities she had to succeed. She is never afraid to go above and beyond for her students and ensure that they are nurtured and supported in the classroom and beyond. 

Nominated by Kia T.

Nurse Spotlight:

Teacher Spotlight: 

Rachel E., 6th Grade Teacher, Highland Park Elementary

Samantha’s dedication and resilience have continuously impressed me. Not only did she balance the demands of being a mother, a wife, and a student, but she also demonstrated extraordinary commitment during the COVID-19 pandemic.

While pursuing her LPN during one of the most challenging times in our country, Samantha worked tirelessly as a CNA in the hospital. She consistently put in long hours, often exceeding what most would do in a day, a week, or even a month. Despite the risks and uncertainty, she sacrificed time with her own family to care for patients who were scared and alone, providing them with the compassion and support they needed.

Rather than being deterred by the challenges of working on the front lines during a global crisis, Samantha’s experiences strengthened her desire to help others. After completing her LPN, she returned to school to earn her RN and now continues to serve patients in the ER at Community South, making a profound difference in the lives of those she cares for.

Her unwavering dedication, perseverance, and passion for helping others are truly remarkable. 

A prior social worker, Rachel went into the classroom to be on the front lines for students in need.  She considered Special Education but realized that the very front line is in the general education classroom.  She teaches 6th grade at a high poverty, highly diverse school which has a lot of needs. In her classroom, where she has students of all varying skill levels and behavioral needs, she provides them all the best education possible. She can work with a student with behaviors who has consistently underachieved and gotten them to the point of high ability programming. She knows that families do not always know what this might mean for their child, and it is her job to be the advocate. She pushes students to be their best and holds consistent and clear expectations which they so desperately crave. While she's not special education licensed, she provides individual support for every single child in her room. Her former experience in social work gives her a unique view into the student's home lives which allows her to meet their unspoken needs during the 7 hours she has with them. She doesn't just teach them well; she loves them well and deserves far more than education will ever be able to give her.

Nominated by Shelbie M.

Nurse Spotlight:

Kendra H., MBA, BSN, RN, CPN, Ascension St. Vincent Evansville Hospital, OHA Cancer Center - Infusion Services

If you meet Kendra, you know she is one of a kind.  She has a huge heart for the work that she does and has been a pediatric nurse since 2012. She was a Pediatric/PICU RN from 2012-2021 and within that time frame she was a Nurse Supervisor, was on the Pediatric Transport Team, and was a Community Health Nurse.  More recently in 2021-2024, she was a Subspecialty Clinical Supervisor at the Peyton Manning Children's Hospital Center and is currently working in the Oncology Infusion department. 

Kendra isn't just great at what she does, she is a loving wife and mother of three, and a supporter and advocate in our community especially for children. Kendra has served on many boards and committees throughout her life and is currently the Board President at the Children's Museum of Evansville and the co-founder of Spirit of Southern Indiana Corporation, which is an organization that offers children with limited physical and cognitive abilities to participate on a cheer team where they can gain self esteem, friendships, and improve fine and gross motor skills. Having been in the Physical Therapy field for 19 years myself, I know what it takes to do the work that she does.

I couldn't recommend her enough to be recognized for the work she does on a daily basis and what she and her family do for our community and for our children.

Nominated by Jaimie S.

Nurse Spotlight:

Glynnis T., Family Nurse Practitioner, Community Physician Network Family Medicine Care

Glynnis is an amazing nurse that truly has a heart for her patients and their needs. She consistently provides a personal touch that shows that she is treating more than just a sickness. She consistently pursues continuing education to further her skills and learn how to functionally and holistically treat her patients. I know that I can always seek her out to answer any medical questions and she is available to answer without judgment. Her perspective and care are vital for today’s world and social climate.

Nominated by Kia T.