While the immense value and profound effect that all nurses have on our lives was noted and celebrated, these 14 nurses were acknowledged for their constant care, compassion and dedication to improve the quality of others’ lives through service:

• Advanced Practice: Helen Turner of Portland from OHSU
• Charge Nurse: Bethany Boyle of Canby from Legacy Heath
• Critical Care: Shelley Reynolds-Wacker of The Dalles from Mid-Columbia Medical Center
• Emergency: Noah McManus of Portland from Legacy Health
• General Medical/Surgical: Kelly Hyde of Portland from OHSU
• Hospice, Home Health & Palliative Care: Mary Grant of Beaverton from Providence Health & Services
• Long Term/Long Term Acute Care/Rehab: Elena Largaespada of Portland from Providence Health & Services
• Oncology: Lisa Hansen of Portland from Legacy Health
• Pediatric: Sara Mosher of Bend from St. Charles Medical Center
• Surgical Services: Theresa McSherry of Portland from Legacy Health
• Women’s Health: Lesley Mondeaux of Lake Oswego from Providence Health & Services
• Community Service: Curtis Ryun of Portland from Legacy Health
• Rising Star: Deidra Weinert of Milwaukie from OHSU
• Distinguished Nurse of The Year: Mary Denise Smith of Portland from OHSU

Chaired by the dashing Dr. Joe Robertson, President of OHSU, and emceed by the lovely Alexis Del Cid, anchor for KOIN Local 6, this inaugural event was a benefit for us. With the support and involvement of 40 health organizations and medical centers, Nurse of the Year raised over $62,000 to help fund the March of Dimes mission of improving the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. 

Committee members include:

• Jesseye Arrambide, Executive Director at Oregon Outpatient Surgery Center
• Leslie Blasewitz, Chief Clinical and Quality Officer at Columbia Memorial Hospital
• Lauren Bridge, Chief Nurse Executive at Providence Milwaukie Hospital
• Theresa Brock, Vice President of Nursing at Good Shepherd Health Care System
• Jennifer L. Jacoby, Chief Nursing Officer at OHSU Healthcare
• Rod Malone, Director Surgical Services at Ashland Community Hospital
• Marcy Manning, Charge Nurse of Family Birth Center at Tillamook County General Hospital
• Sandra Montminy, Emergency Room Director at Adventist Medical Center
• Lynae Moor, Director of Family Birth at Adventist Medical Center
• Syndee Lytle, Nurse Manager of Women’s Health & Birth Center at McKenzie-Willamette Medical Center
• Helen Phillips, Director, Women’s Services at Emanuel Medical Center, Legacy Health
• Regina Rose, Chief Nursing Officer at Mid-Columbia Medical Center

We want to give a big shout out to sponsors for March of Dimes Nurse of the Year: OHSU, Legacy Health, Providence Health & Services, PeaceHealth, Columbia Memorial Hospital, The Regence Foundation, United Healthcare, Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, ODS, KOIN Local 6, PSAV Presentation Services and One Love Photography.  THANK YOU ALL!

PHOTO: From left to right. Back row: Dr. Joe Robertson, Lesley Mondeaux, Noah McManus. Middle row: Kelly Hyde, Curtis Ryun, Theresa McSherry, Lisa Hansen, Mary Denise Smith, Bethany Boyle, Sara Mosher. Front Row: Mary Grant, Elena Largaespada, Shelley Reynolds-Wacker. Winners not pictured here: Helen Turner and Deidra Weinert.