Each year at the Annual Awards Banquet in June, District 1, Professional Nurses Association of Western New York confers the following awards:   Nurse of Distinction - this award is cosponsored by the Buffalo News - the recipient recieves a plaque and $500.  This award recognizes a registered professional nurse who has demonstrated significant achievement in nursing practice, leadership and participation in activities that foster a positive public image of nursing as a profession.   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 15th 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 years award was presented to Abigail Mitchell, RN for her significant dedication to the education and advancement of nursing careers in her role as a manager for Kaleida Health-DeGraff Memorial Hospital and Nursing Instructor at DYouville College and Niagara Community College. Nominees for 2009 Nurse of Distinction: Kathy Avino, RN, Catholic Health-St. Josephs Hospital Karen Beckman, RN Erie County Medical Center Sandra Boneberg, RN Kaleida Health-Buffalo General Hospital Anne Marie Bugenhagen, RN Catholic Health-Mercy Hospital of Buffalo Diane Clark, RN Catholic Health-Sisters of Charity Hospital Brenda Cramer, RN Catholic Health-Kenmore Mercy Hospital Patricia Dean RN Catholic Health-McAuley Seton Home Care Joan Hawco, RN Kaleida Health-Waterfront Health Care Center Judith Kazmierczak, RN Kaleida Health Visiting Nurses Association of WNY Lynn Keith, RN Kaleida Health-Deaconess Center Julie Kenyon, RN Olean General Hospital Barbara Kourkonis, RN Kaleida Health-Women & Childrens Hospital of Buffalo June Lewis, RN Kaleida Health-Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital Joanne McVey, RN Roswell Park Cancer Institute Abigail Mitchell, RN Kaleida Health-DeGraff Memorial Hospital Christopher Moden, RN Kaleida Health-Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital Kathleen Murphy-Villafranca, RN Kaleida Health-DeGraff Skilled Nursing Facility Susan Mutton, RN Catholic Health-McAuley Seton Home Care David Nicosia, RN Willcare Renee Quebral, RN Elderwood Senior Care Sandra Sopko, RN Kaleida Health-Gates Circle Skilled Nursing Facility Julie Spruce, RN Absolut Care of Orchard Park Linda Steeg, RN University of Buffalo School of Nursing Michelle Tringali, RN Independent Health Lizabeth Weiss, RN VA Western New York Healthcare System 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. Anne Marie Bantle, RN, BSN from Kaleida Health-Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Hospital was presented with this years Outstanding Staff Nurse Award by Sandra Gibson, RN. Her role in caring for extremely critical patients allows her to practice with the highest standards. She has helped enhance her excellent critical thinking and decision making sills that are vital in the Open Heart Unit. Nominees for 2009 Outstanding Staff Nurse: Robert Ballard, RN Kaleida Health-Gates Circle Skilled Nursing Facility Anne Marie Bantle, RN Kaleida Health-Millard Fillmore Gates Circle Margaret Battleson, RN Kaleida Health-Buffalo General Hospital Karleen Bordonaro, RN Kaleida Health-DeGraff Skilled Nursing Michelle Castiglia, RN Catholic Health-Sisters of Charity Hospital Mary Alice Cislarski, RN Kaleida Health-Waterfront Health Care Center Brenda Cramer, RN Catholic Health-Kenmore Mercy Hospital Cynthia Engl, RN Kaleida Health-DeGraff Memorial Hospital Kathleen Heberling, RN VA Western New York Healthcare System Mary Hurd, RN Kaleida Health-Women & Childrens Hospital of Buffalo Samantha Iannarelli, RN Catholic Health-Sisters of Charity Hospital Kristina Kasperek, RN Kaleida Health-Millard Fillmore Suburban Hospital Linda Kelley, RN Kaleida Health-Deaconess Center Kimberly Peccia, RN Roswell Park Cancer Institute Pamela Riley, RN Erie County Medical Center Barbara Wright, RN Kaleida Health-Visiting Nurses Association of WNY The Ruth T. McGrorey Award is District 1s 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. Mary Story, RN, MSN, MPH was presented with this years Ruth T. McGrorey Award.