Contact: Amy Gilliam

(l-r) Judy Niblett, Toni Yongbang, Jodie Martin, Jill Dobias

"The award recipients stand out as mentors and leaders in their profession. At UK Hospital, we value nursing and celebrate the many achievements of our nurses and nursing leadership.”

-- Karen Stefaniak,
associate hospital director and chief nursing officer,
UK Hospital,
University of Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 12, 2005) -- University of Kentucky Hospital faculty and staff join other hospitals across the nation in honoring registered nurses during National Nurses Week, May 6-12, 2005.

During a reception for UK nurses on May 12, officials presented two nurses with UK Hospital’s top two nursing awards, the M.J. Dickson Quality Nursing Care Award and the Diana Weaver Leadership/Management Award.

Karen Stefaniak, associate hospital director and chief nursing officer, handed out the awards.

"The selection committee’s decisions were difficult because all of the nominees were excellent and truly represented the amazing qualities of our entire nursing staff," she said.

Antoinette “Toni” Yongbang, R.N., childbirth education coordinator, UK Hospital, was awarded the M.J. Dickson Quality Nursing Care Award. This award is given to a staff nurse who has shown a commitment to professional nursing over the past year.

Judy Niblett, R.N., who works as the patient care manager in OR Services, UK Hospital, was awarded the Diana Weaver Leadership/Management Award. This award is given to a nurse who has shown dynamic leadership skills over the past year.

Peers nominate staff for both of these awards.

Joanne “Jodie” Martin, director of Admitting and Financial Counseling Services, UK Hospital, was awarded the Appreciative Inquiry/ University of Kentucky (AI/UK) Quilt of Teamwork Award, a new award this year, for her support of nursing practice at UK Hospital, and using her professional expertise to enhance nursing efficiency and communication efforts.

Another new award this year, the Nursing Professional Advancement Award, was given to Jill Dobias, R.N., UK Hospital, for her demonstrated excellence and involvement in nursing practice and clinical skills to the improvement of quality nursing care.

"The award recipients stand out as mentors and leaders in their profession," Stefaniak said. “At UK Hospital, we value nursing and celebrate the many achievements of our nurses and nursing leadership.”