Marian Dirks: Good Samaritan Medical Center
Marian Dirks assumed the role as ED Director at Good Sam earlier this year. Our ED has gone through tremendous burnout, turnover, quality decline, leadership turnover, and culture changes since the pandemic. Marian is exactly the nurse leader our ED needed! Since Marian's tenure, she has promoted a manager from within (in which the position was vacant for over 1 year) and has filled nearly 100% of vacancies, with limited travelers. Marian has partnered with her staff to improve sepsis outcomes, left without being seen, specimen labeling, physician partnership and overall culture building. She deserves this award for being a phenomenal ED nurse leader!
Sommer Walker: Denver Health
Sommer Walker is a season to emergency room nurse with over 25 years experience who is dedicated and compassionate to her patience, peers and community. Sommer has been a member with ENA for many years. Summer is the emergency department manager at Denver Health. Sommer spent many years supporting education and servant leadership. Sommer is involved with patient rounding who ask patients, nurses and family members their experience in the ER. This assists the ER and hospital identify what additional needs and opportunities can be taken for the next patient experience. She has a calming affect fact with the team. Sommer provides stability for the entire organization and department. Sommer help her department earn the prestigious lantern award from ENA in 2021 when the world was upside down with the pandemic. only if you have achieved this recognition. it would be an honor to recognize Sommer as the nurse manager and leader award for Colorado ENA in 2022.
Elizabeth Gardiner: Sterling Regional MedCenter
Liz had been the ED manager at SRM for many years. She is passionate about her team. She is a nurse leader working right along side her team, holding them accountable, encouraging them to be their best, and giving them the resources they need to succeed.
Roxanne (Roxy) Dinkel:Platte Valley Medical Center
Roxy is an ED Clinical Coordinator at Platte Valley. She has stepped up to this role and continues to grow as a leader. She helps with onboarding and education within the department. Her support for the ED is so helpful and many nurses know they can go to her with conflict, issues or recognition. I would like to nominate Roxy for this award!
Kelsie Romero: Platte Valley Medical Center
Kelsie is an ED Clinical Coordinator at Platte Valley. She has stepped up to this role and continues to grow as a leader. She helps lead the group by example. She jumps on the floor at any time to help her team and is an outstanding ED nurse. I would like to nominate Kelsie for this award!
Wendy Colon: Platte Valley Medical Center
I nominate Wendy Colon for the Nurse Leader Award. Wendy is an exceptional leader and has functioned in a variety of roles including Director of Emergency Department, Trauma Services and Emergency Management. Wendy's knowledge of emergency nursing and emergency management is reveled in the interaction she has with staff and providers. When a concern comes up, she is at the forefront of communicating questions and solutions. Wendy is compassionate as well as a strong leader. She has the unique ability to make a difficult task appear easy. She has an open-door policy and is approachable when anyone has needs or concerns. Over the last year she has performed numerous tasks to improve the ED. She added staff in Nursing, ED Techs, Sitters and recently hired a new Bilingual Interpreter/EKG Tech. Wendy has been working diligently on a new process for flow in order to decrease patient wait times and increase patient and staff satisfaction. She encourages staff to be active in Unit-Based Council as a way to have their voices heard. She is highly respected by colleagues and staff. Wendy has impeccable problem-solving abilities and is frequently consulted for her advice. Wendy is an exemplary leader, making her the best candidate for this award. I nominate Wendy Colon for the Nurse Leader Award.
Winner
