Denise Allee: Platte Valley Medical Center

I nominate Denise Allee for Excellence in Emergency Nursing. Denise, a relief charge nurse, has a strong professional foundation and is very experienced. She is up to any challenge in order keep the emergency department running smoothly. Recently during one of Denise's shifts a baby was delivered while in route to the hospital. When the patient arrived to the ED, Denise recognized that it was an en caul birth, which is a rare event where a baby is born still inside an intact amniotic sac. We just don't see something like that very often, but Denise knew exactly what to do and appropriate resources to contact. Both mom and baby had a positive outcomes. Denise works at the highest level of skill and is able to manage complex patients. Denise shows compassion for her patients, their families and is well respected by her peers. I nominate Denise Allee for the Excellence in Nursing Award. 

Christine has become an expert and educator in the field of strangulation. She has taught for Colorado ENA twice and educates healthcare staff within the community to assure we know how to identify and advocate for patients who have been strangled. She also teaches at several conferences. Christine has recently authored chapters in a book for forensic nursing and served as an unofficial consultant for the next edition of TNCC.

Pam is an amazing nurse educator and leader. She is an inspiration and her career in nursing is beyond impressive. She strives to take care of patients in her daily work but as a nurse leader also strives to advance the people and facility capabilities. 

Pam is the most encouraging and most supportive ED nurse educator. She is very knowledgeable but also is very approachable and ready at any time when she is needed. She never hesitates to take patients as well in the ED to help out the staff. Most importantly she is just positive and contributes so much good energy to everyone she encounters. We love her! 

She is an amazing educator, teacher that is passionate about her work and always the first to help in any situation. She always encourages us to push our knowledge and learn as much as possible and willing to take the extra time and care to make sure you understand. 

 Tina works as an educator for Banner Health. While Tina does an excellent job providing knowledge, she is also a someone who supports nurses behind the scenes. She is a confidante to ED nurse leaders. She encourages new grads and bolsters the knowledge of seasoned nurses. Tina serves nursing with a humble spirit and in such a way many may not even realize she helped them. Tina served on the CO ENA education committee this year. Tina serves several different facilities and creates individualized education for each location. She works overtime regularly even though she is salaried for 40 hours a week. Her passion for supporting nurses drives her to do the best thing for nurses and she put herself second on a regular basis.  

Chelsea is an excellent nurse and a great preceptor! She is a fierce advocate for patient safety and sets a great example for all her peers!

Liz Prang provides exemplary professional practice to her patience, teammates and community which she serves. This example a nurse combines exceptional skill with a super strong get it done attitude. No matter how busy the team, if she’s working you can be sure that ambulances will be met, patients will be picked up quickly and things will get done. This exceptional nurse combined with an excellent dry sense of humor that is always encouraging people to do better with a wealth of knowledge.
I think she could find a vein and start an IV on a moving mouse, a dolphin while swimming, or just any patient. She can switch between to be an effective rapport with an intoxicated 25-year-old and a sweet little 90-year-old lady with a broken leg. If when we have an MCI, I would want to be working with this exceptional and professional nurse. Liz is compassionate and dedicated emergency department nurse that can be trusted with any task at hand. She quietly commands the respect of the staff, patients and family members around her. I’ve had the privilege of working some serious cases with her and every time it runs smooth even when the situation could be easily chaotic. Or corn calming demeanor coupled with a wealth of nursing and medical knowledge combined with a constant attitude of going the extra mile make her an excellent role model for Howe and Emergency Department should be. it would be an honor to recognize Liz for the 2022 Colorado ENA nursing excellence award.