Almost 800 guests watched as 67 nominees and award recipients across five categories were honored at the Eighth Annual Nurse of Distinction Awards. The awards – created through the collective bargaining agreement between the 1199SEIU RN Division and the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes – honor a group of peer-nominated nursing professionals for their dedicated work at 1199SEIU institutions.

This year’s awards were once again emceed by 1199SEIU RN Division Vice President and Area Director Clare Thompson and Linn & Green Consulting President Bob Linn. Thompson and Linn delivered opening remarks.

After opening remarks, League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes’ President Bruce McIver welcomed the attendees. “In the 20 years I have been with the League, I have to say this is one of the most impressive events I have seen,” he said.

1199SEIU RN Division Executive Vice President Norma Amsterdam gave a special acknowledgment to the nurses.  “Thank you for all of your dedication, compassion and commitment, especially in these challenging healthcare times,” she said. “You are all vital, and don’t underestimate your role as a nurse.”

A proclamation from Mayor Michael Bloomberg was read to the crowd, declaring May 18, 2011, “1199SEIU Nurse of Distinction Day.”  A host of leaders from 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes, the 1199SEIU Training and Employment Funds and members of the Nurse of Distinction planning committee (representing both the Union and management) proceeded to announce the nominees and present the awards.

The following awards were given:

Nurse of Distinction in a Hospital Setting
Linda Prioleau, Orange Regional Medical Center – Horton Campus
Blanca Marichal-Williams (First Runner-up), NYU Langone Hospital for Joint Diseases
Dianne McGuire (Second Runner-up), Good Samaritan Hospital

Nurse of Distinction in a Nursing Home Setting
Althea Burton, Schulman and Schachne Institute

Nurse Leader
Christopher Costello, Orange Regional Medical Center

Novice Nurse 
Robert Freeman, Beth Israel Medical Center

Nurse Preceptor
Abigail Castro Hasan, Jamaica Hospital Medical Center

Special awards were also given to those who have made a difference and supported the 1199SEIU RN Division. Both Bruce McIver and George Gresham, President of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, received “RN Champion Awards” for their pursuit of quality care and nursing excellence.

“You know, often I am the person in the middle of the picture getting the attention, but it is really my entire community of people that enables me to do the work that I do,” McIver said as he accepted his award. “You don’t always see behind the scenes, and this recognition is an appreciation of the work we all do collectively together.”

Gresham noted the significance of the labor-management collaboration that makes the annual awards successful. “I’m so honored that you took the time to recognize what we do,” Gresham said. “But we must also remember that this event would not be possible without the Union and League’s collaboration. In fact, I cannot think of another person I would rather receive an award with than Bruce.”