Outstanding Staff Nurse - this recipient of a plague and a one year complimentary membership to the District - the award recognizes a registered professional nurse with a minium of 3 years experience as a staff nurse, who provides exceptional direct patient care, excels in patient and family teaching, acts as a role model for peers and demonstrates a continuing interest in professional growth and development.

  Ruth T. McGrorey Award - the highest award for nursing leadership is given to an active, contributing member of the District who is innovative in nursing practice, has published or presented  at professional societies, made a general impact on nursing practice, nursing research and/or nursing education and serves as a representative of the nursing profession to peers and the community.

  Nursing Scholarship - assists students with monetary awards and provides a one year complementary associate membership to recipients who are currently matriculated in an accredited school of nursing within the geographic boundaries of the District.  Applicants must demonstrate financial need as well as scholastic and clinical ability as verified by a copy of transcripts and letters of recommendation from two members of the nursing facility.

 Board of Directors Award - presented to a non nurse who demonstrates support of the nursing profession in their professional life.

Applications for all of these awards are available through the District 1 Office.

This is the 17th year that The Buffalo News has co-sponsored our Nurse of Distinction Award. The award honors a RN who has made outstanding contributions to the nursing profession, has demonstrated leadership that provides a role model to inspire other nurses to improve, and participates in activities that foster a positive public image of nursing as a profession.  This year’s award was presented to Carole Gutt, RN EdD by Ann Brooker of the Buffalo News and Dr. Judith Lewis, Dean, School of Nursing, D’Youville College for her significant dedication to the education and advancement of nursing careers in her role as a nurse educator at D’Youville College.    Dr. Gutt truly exemplifies excellence as a Nurse Educator and is a role model of a committed and distinguished nursing professional for students and faculty.

Nominees for 2010 Nurse of Distinction:

Cheryl Bierma, RN, Elderwood Health Care at Rosewood

Linda Browning, RN, Kaleida Health-DeGraff Skilled Nursing Facility

Virginia Callahan, RN, Catholic Health-McAuley Seton Home Care

Kathryn DesRosiers, RN, Catholic Health-Mercy Home Care

Ellen Eckhardt, RN, Kaleida Health-Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo

Kim Fecher, RN, Independent Health

Kathleen Field, RN, Roswell Park Cancer Institute

Stacey Forgensi, RN, Erie County Medical Center

Cheryl Gambacorta,  RN, Kaleida Health-Visiting Nurses Association of WNY, Inc.

Carole Gutt, RN, D’Youville College School of Nursing

Anita Hardy, RN, Kaleida Health-Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital

Janice Irish, RN, Health Force

Magdalene Jalovick, RN, Kaleida Health-DeGraff Memorial Hospital

Grace Jessup, RN, WNY Urology Associates

Scott Kurzdorfer, RN, Elderwood Health Care at Maplewood

Deborah Lawler, RN, Catholic Health-Sisters of Charity Hospital Main Street Campus

Barbara Mack, RN, Catholic Health-Sisters of Charity Hospital St. Joseph Campus

Heather Martindale, RN, Kaleida Health-Waterfront Health Care Center

Linda McCausland, RN, University of Buffalo School of Nursing

Irene McNeill, RN, Catholic Health-Kenmore Mercy Hospital

Sharon Nowak Panzica, RN, Catholic Health-Mercy Hospital of Buffalo

Joan O’Laughlin, RN, Niagara University Health Services

Bonnie Pirowski, RN, Kaleida Health-Deaconess Center

Lois Rudolph, RN, The Center for Hospice & Palliative Care

Margaret Schlotterbeck, RN, Kaleida Health-Buffalo General Hospital

Colleen Schull, RN, Newfane Rehabilitation & Health Care Center

Mary Elizabeth Smith, RN, Olean General Hospital

Kelly Whitver, RN, Jamestown Community College

Jodi Witherell, RN, Kaleida Health-Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital

The Outstanding Staff Nurse Award is given to a current member of District 1 who has a minimum of 3 years experience as a staff nurse and provides exceptional direct patient care within nursing standards. 

Laura Russillio, RN, MSN from VAWNY Healthcare System at Buffalo was presented with this year’s Outstanding Staff Nurse Award.   She is currently employed by the VAWNY Healthcare System at Buffalo, has expanded her desire to care for critical patients by pursing the role as the primary instructor for the ICU staff.  She is involved in numerous committees, recognizing that collaboration with many disciplines is what is needed to make improvements in the care of the critically ill patient. 

Nominees for 2010 Outstanding Staff Nurse:

Shannon Baldo, RN, Kaleida Health-Millard Fillmore Gates Circle

Allyson Czaja, RN, Kaleida Health-DeGraff Memorial Hospital

Wendie Emerson, RN, Kaleida Health-Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital

Antoinette Goodman, RN, Catholic Health-Sisters of Charity Hospital Main Street Campus

Mary Gordon, RN, Kaleida Health-Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Skilled Nursing Facility

Sandy Gurbacki, RN, Kaleida Health-Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo

Carol Jajkowski, RN, Catholic Health-Sisters of Charity Hospital St. Joseph Campus

Kathy Lynch, RN, Kaleida Health-Visiting Nurses Association of WNY, Inc.

Jennifer Maloney, RN, Erie County Medical Center

Cheryl Marcel, RN, Kaleida Health-Buffalo General Hospital

Lisa Marlin, RN, Kaleida Health-Women & Children’s Hospital of Buffalo

Irene McNeill, RN, Catholic Health-Kenmore Mercy Hospital

Eva Olewniczak, RN, Town & Village Pediatrics

Laura Russillio, RN, Veteran Affairs Western New York Healthcare System

Jennifer Scarpena, RN, Catholic Health-Sisters of Charity Hospital Main Street Campus

Elizabeth Sporney, RN, Excelsior Orthopaedics

Donna Woroniecki, RN, Kaleida Health-Deaconess Center

The Ruth T. McGrorey Award is District 1’s most prestigious award and honors an active, contributing member of the District who is innovative in his/her area of nursing practice, has published or presented professional programs, has made a general impact on nursing practice, research or education and as a representative of nursing is active in relating to a variety of professional and community groups.