UToledo Health recognized nearly two dozen University of Toledo Medical Center nurses at an awards ceremony last week as part of its celebration of National Nurses Week.
“Providing meaningful recognition our staff is a very important part of building the culture that we want for nursing at UTMC,” said Kurt Kless, the hospital’s chief nursing officer. “We want to celebrate our nurses, both for the times they go above and beyond, but also for the day in, day out dedication they show to their profession, their patients and their peers.”
Ashley Walton, left, a lead nurse at UTMC stands with Ken Fry, assistant chief nursing officer at UTMC. Walton was named day shift nurse of the year during a May 9 ceremony on Health Science Campus.
UTMC presented 21 individual nursing awards, including its third annual nurse of the year award.
Based on the number of nominees this year, UTMC recognized a pair of individuals for the top award. Ashley Walton, a lead nurse in the fourth floor nephrology medical-surgical unit, received the day shift nurse of the year award, while Laura Eubank, a lead nurse in the sixth floor orthopaedic unit, received the night shift nurse of the year award.
Walton, who will celebrate her 15th year at UTMC this summer, said the work remains gratifying.
“I like getting to connect with the patients. It’s rewarding being able to help someone in their time of need,” she said. “I also really love my staff members, which is probably why I won — they’re the ones who would have nominated me. I’m lucky to work with a lot of really good nurses here.”
UTMC lead nurse Laura Eubank, left, and Ken Fry, assistant chief nursing officer pose for a picture after Eubank was named night shift nurse of the year.
Eubank, who first joined UTMC as an ultrasound tech aide in 2007 and then became a staff nurse in 2011 after completing nursing school, also praised the camaraderie and culture at UTMC.
“Our unit, particularly on the night shift, really works well as a team,” she said. “All of the nurses are willing to step in and help each other out.”
Other awards presented included accolades for individual practice areas, a pair of emerging leader awards and rising star awards, as well as awards for excellence in nursing engagement.
Kless said the hospital received nearly 200 nominations for the awards, all submitted by their fellow nurses.
UTMC also recognized the Heart and Vascular Unit nursing team last week with the DAISY Team Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
The award, given annually, recognizes one team for the high-quality healthcare they provide and the special efforts they take to ensure patients and their families receive support and compassion while under UTMC’s care.
Members of the UTMC Heart and Vascular Unit nursing team were recognized with the DAISY Team Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
Of the 12 individual DAISY awards given over the last year, Kless said five have gone to nurses from the Heart and Vascular Unit.
“We’ve had some really heartfelt stories shared with us about that team by our patients and their families. These were families who were facing difficult end of life issues or dealing with a loved one’s cardiac crisis, and this team came together to make a difference. It’s a truly exceptional place and they were very deserving of the award.”
The DAISY Foundation was established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, who died at 33 in 1999 from complications of an autoimmune disease. Members of his family created the DAISY foundation as a way to thank nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patients’ families.
UTMC presented its first DAISY awards in 2022.
