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Excellence in Dallas-Fort Worth Nursing Awards: The Finalists

These outstanding health care professionals were also in the running for the honor.
By D Magazine |
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Kellye Crawford
Cardiology

It’s crippling to find out your newborn’s heart isn’t perfect, but Children’s Medical Center of Dallas’ hidden gem proves to be just what the doctor ordered. Her heart knows no bounds, so it’s no wonder Kellye Crawford found her calling as a clinical nurse in cardiology. Crawford treats her pint-size patients as if they are one of her own; taking time to review charts, laugh over breakfast, and doing everything in her power to make her patient’s time at the hospital an enjoyable experience. Patients’ families rally around Crawford for her accessibility and quick wit, and her superiors look up to her for her ability to bring light to families’ darkest hours. Her infectious smile calms parents’ anxieties, and her warm demeanor and extensive knowledge of the heart keep her patients coming back, even when Children’s Medical Center of Dallas isn’t the most convenient option. But thanks to Crawford’s hard work, it’s the best.—Caitlin Adams


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Cheryl Cameron
Cardiology

Cheryl Cameron understands that caring for a patient’s family is just as important as caring for a patient. So when a patient’s daughter suddenly died in a car accident, Cameron was highly involved in coordinating multi-disciplinary care and stood as a pillar of strength as the Irving Police broke the devastating news to the patient and family. “Sometimes the worst scenarios can happen, and just knowing you’re doing everything you can and treating your patients or others as yourself is just rewarding,” says Cameron, nurse clinical supervisor at The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano. Her kind heart draws her patients in, but her thirst for knowledge sets her apart professionally. Last December, Cameron completed her master’s degree in nursing, leadership, and management from Walden University. She also chairs the Nursing Peer Review Committee, as well as The Heart Hospital Supervisor Council.—Caitlin Adams and Jacie Scott


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Kimberly Moore
Acute Care

Kimberly Moore of the Heart Center/Cardiac Intensive Care Unit at Children’s Medical Center is known for her above-and-beyond work ethic. Moore spends hours in the cardiac ICU, which provides care for patients from birth to age 21, or anyone with congenital heart disease. “The pediatric cardiac ICU is busy, fast-paced, and is always challenging to me to learn and stay up to date with the latest medical knowledge and technology,” Moore says. She also has worked, since January 2010, with the innovative “Safe at Home” program for the highest risk cardiac patients. There she spends hours educating parents on symptoms so that they may take the best care of their children while at home, and keeps a call phone with her at all times for times of special need, no matter if it’s day or night. In addition, she takes part in fundraising efforts for pediatric cardiac research and plans family reunion picnics for families and the staff who assist them. A lecturer since 2006, her caring presence continues to be an asset to Children’s Medical.—Sarah Bennett


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Jame Restau
Acute Care

Jame Restau has been an asset to the Baylor Medical Center at Irving as a palliative care clinical nurse specialist since 2008. In fact, Restau created the palliative care program at Baylor Irving, including its policies and processes, so no one knows it quite like she does. Restau is full of encouragement. She has created certification review courses for nurses preparing to take the exam and has inspired fellow nurses to return to school, publish and present their work, or even take up political involvement. Her compassionate nature shows in her work, from meeting with families on the weekends and accommodating their schedules to organizing the Pretty in Pink Pajama Party each October for breast cancer survivors. Restau is a member of the ethics committee and chairs the empirical outcomes for the Magnet Steering Committee as well as the Baylor Healthcare System Advanced Practice Nurses’ Council, making her an invaluable asset to the community.—Sarah Bennett

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Natalie Garry
Primary Care

Natalie Garry has served more than 150 homebound patients as geriatric nurse practitioner at the UT Southwestern Medical Center and nursing coordinator for its House Calls Program in the last 10 years. “I meet many of my patients at the end of their life, which is an intimate time, and I feel privileged to be a small part of their overall care,” Garry says. One couple in their 90s, both of whom needed Garry’s assistance, called the program a “godsend.” Once a week, Garry takes medical students and internal medicine and psychiatric residents with her on these home visits. The goal of the program is to keep members of the community ages 70 and up out of the hospital. The program is so growing in popularity that more students wish to accompany Garry than she can accommodate. She is an active board member of the American Nurses Association in Texas and sits on the Governmental Action Committee for the Texas Nurses Association. Garry’s care for elder members of the community has affected the Dallas area for the better since 2001.—Sarah Bennett


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Robin Luffy
Primary Care

Robin Luffy has served as a pediatric nurse practitioner at Children’s Medical Center since 2008 in the pulmonary clinic. That year, she became a certified asthma educator. Since then, she has taken up the task of educating asthmatic patients about the effects of ozone. After researching with the North Texas Asthma Consortium and a number of school districts, she met with more than 200 local schools to educate kids on the subject. Along with flags to help kids identify different ozone levels, Luffy distributed medication instructions to families that pertain to each level. More than 60 schools now fly the flags to help kids identify their daily asthma risk and know what to do. “To see a smile on a child’s face when he or she can participate in a favorite activity because his or her asthma is controlled is priceless,” Luffy says. “It’s why I love what I do each day.” Luffy is a board member of the Dallas Asthma Consortium and a general member of the Asthma Coalition of Texas. She also has worked as an assistant clinical professor for the University of Texas at Arlington, her alma mater, since 2009.—Sarah Bennett


Winfred Snell
Primary Care

Winfred Snell, a family nurse practitioner at the Bluitt Flowers Health Center of Dallas County, is known by others for his compassion for patients. One former caregiver notes that when an elderly patient was under Snell’s care at home, he went above and beyond the call of duty by comforting her during times of physical pain. Snell would talk and laugh with her, bring warm packs, and massage her hip. The patient later referred to Snell as her favorite nurse. The caretaker notes Snell’s habit of explaining each aspect of care to patients, making them feel comfortable and informed about their treatment. His years of care have proved his natural emphasis on professionalism, thorough treatment, genuine care for others, and positive outlook. He has been known to foster an environment that empowers others to take care of themselves, and yet sees to it that their needs are always met, leaving a lasting impression with those who receive his care.—Sarah Bennett


Laura Massey
Nursing Administration

Laura Massey is the director of emergency services and pediatric transport team at Medical City Dallas Hospital. The department had a high turnover before Massey took up the role, and in the two years since, has been known for its high-energy team. Not only that, but patient satisfaction has skyrocketed under her leadership. When one hospital had a surgical complication and called to transfer the patient to Medical City, Massey mobilized the operating room and her emergency department team. Time was of the essence, and her quick work helped to save the patient’s life. Those who work with her know all about her “small acts of kindness” like cards and notes, proving that her selfless nature is what makes her a great nurse and asset to the team. Colleagues note her tendency to stay late, making sure the clinical situation is under control. Her recent presentation “Leading from the Heart” was undoubtedly well received by peers.—Sarah Bennett


Mike Mayo
Nursing Administration

Mike Mayo works as the director of emergency services/staffing for 7 West ICU/MSICU at UT Southwestern Medical Center, reaching his one-year anniversary in that role this past December. Previously, he served as manager of the ICU, where his determined work ethic did not go unnoticed. From working on the Fourth of July to maintaining direct relationships with hospital-wide staff members, Mayo has earned the title of “household name” among his peers. “I am in a position to make a positive influence in the care of our patients,” Mayo says. “I am hopeful my influence is through example.” With his various committees, research projects, and sustainability initiatives, colleagues often wonder how he can be everywhere at once. In 2010, MICU infections went down 50 percent under his leadership. His unit is now known for its culture of safety and infection prevention. He holds those he mentors to a high standard of excellence, brings out leadership skills in others, and strives to treat each patient and visitor as if they were his own family. The department is continually made better by his presence.—Sarah Bennett


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Nancy Vish
Nursing Administration

Nancy Vish is the president/chief nursing officer in the Jack and Jane Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital in the Baylor Health Care System. There she implemented the “Return to Work” program in which she challenged traditional methods of rehabilitation to get active workers, policemen, and firefighters back to work. She also initiated a survey, taken every 12 weeks by staff members, that has had a notable impact on retention. In addition, she raised nearly $48,000 for the American Heart Association, for which she is a board member. She is also a member of the American Association of Critical Care Nursing and served as the Dallas chapter president from 2002 to 2003. Her other memberships include: Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Society, the Society of Invasive Cardiovascular Professionals, the American College of Cardiovascular Administrators, the Society of Critical Care Medicine, and the Vascular Nurses Society.—Sarah Bennett

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