11 nurses honored for excellence at Children’s of Alabama

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Birmingham, Alabama, Children's of Alabama
Jake Harper, recipient of the Leadership Excellence award, and his family at the 2018 Nursing Excellence Awards at Children’s of Alabama. Jake is the nursing director for the Behavioral Health Ireland Center. via Children’s of Alabama.

The nurses of Children’s encounter many different patients with many different physical and psychological issues, and they dedicate themselves wholly to each one.

They care for patients 24/7/365, putting children at the center of their lives. From behavorial health to NICU, pediatric surgery and more, these folks are always there with a smile, to comfort and provide exceptional medical care around the clock. The care they give doesn’t stop with their patients, as it always includes being there for parents and family, too.

Birmingham, Alabama, Nurse, Children's of Alabama

Inspire, Innovate, Influence

While we recently celebrated National Nurses Week across the country, every year Children’s of Alabama holds its own celebration—a special ceremony dedicated to its nurses.

Always Learning, Always Growing

The 2018 Nursing Excellence Awards recognize the commitment and leadership of nurses and the delivery of health care at Children’s of Alabama. It’s a big thank you to all of the achievements, accomplishments and contributions of registered nurses practicing at Children’s. The best part about the awards? The winners are nominated by their peers, making the recognition that much more meaningful in a personal way.

“As a leader, a director of the unit, I was so excited,” said Jake Harper, nursing director for the Behavioral Health Ireland Center.

Harper received the Leadership Excellence award.

“The way I found out was through an email. As I was reading it,  I was like, ‘Wow, someone on our unit won an award!’ and I kept reading through the email to find out who it was, and I almost lost my breath. I said, ‘Oh, it’s me!’ I was just so excited. It really does mean so much to me.”

Congratulations, Y’all!
Birmingham, Alabama, Children’s of Alabama
Via Children’s of Alabama

Charge Nurse Danielle Kent was surprised, too. She pointed out how encouraging it is to be recognized by those who work with her but told us that she could not do it alone.

“My precious coworkers nominated me,” said Danielle Kent, charge nurse at Children’s. “Really, it’s my team. I could not do what I do without the team that I have. Everyone from my support staff to the doctors, Child Life, social workers. It does take a village to go day in and day out in this job. It is truly an honor.

Birmingham, Alabama, Children's of Alabama
Charge Nurse Danielle Kent was recognized with the Charge Nurse Excellence award. She is pictured with her family, via Children’s of Alabama.

While Harper and Kent shared just how much it meant to be honored by their peers, here’s the entire list of nurses who were awarded. As if you needed another reason to hug a nurse from Children’s!

This year’s winners include:

  • Acute Care Excellence Winner: Charolette Jones
  • Advanced Practice Excellence Winner: Brandi Alldredge
  • Charge Nurse Excellence Winner: Danielle Kent
  • Critical Care Excellence Winner: Emily “Annie” Criswell
  • Education Excellence Winner: Vicki Shinick
  • Excellence in Mentorship Winner: Ashley Hawkins
  • Leadership Excellence Winner: Jake Harper
  • Pediatric Practices Excellence Winner: Rachel Weigent
  • Rising Star Winner: Ginnie Holcomb
  • Specialty Care Services Excellence Winner: Patricia Clark
  • Surgical Services Excellence Winner: Amber Doss
Children's Hospital
Photo of Children’s of Alabama, by Pat Byington for Bham Now
Did You Know?
  • Children’s of Alabama has provided specialized medical care for ill and injured children since 1911.
  • It’s ranked among the best children’s hospital programs in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.
  • With more than 2 million square feet, Children’s is the third largest pediatric medical facility in the U.S.
  • They offer both inpatient and outpatient services across their Russell Campus on Birmingham’s historic Southside, along with additional outpatient surgery and diagnostic imaging services provided at Children’s South and Children’s on 3rd.
  • The Benjamin Russell Hospital for Children is the only hospital in Alabama dedicated solely to the care and treatment of children.
  • It is a private, not-for-profit hospital that serves as the primary site of the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) pediatric medicine, surgery, research and residency programs.
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