Six Emory nurses were honored in selected categories at the 2012 March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Awards. 

With over 700 attendees, this state-wide event recognizes exceptional nurses, creates awareness of professional excellence, and promotes the future of the nursing profession while advancing the mission of the March of Dimes.  The Nurse of the Year selection committee reviewed all nominations and made selections from 16 categories.  Emory was awarded in the following categories:

• Carolyn Holder, RN, MN, APRN-BC, CCRN, Emory University
  Category:  Advanced Practice
• Ursula Kelly, PhD, ANP-BC, PMHNP-BC, Emory University Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
  Category: Behavioral Health
• Dr. Sally Lehr, PhD, RN, Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
  Category:  Education
• Melissa Gordon, BSN, RN, Emory Healthcare
  Category: General Medicine
• Dr. Lynn Sibley, PhD, RN, CNM, FAAN, FACNM, Emory University
  Category:  Public Health
• Amy Fischer, RN, Emory Johns Creek Hospital
  Category:  Surgical Services

"The Nurse of the Year awards befittingly credit those with a true commitment to health care," says Susan Grant, MS, RN, FAAN, chief nursing officer for Emory Healthcare.  "Our nurses distribute undeniably superior patient care, unprecedented vision, and unyielding dedication to nursing education.  We are proud that March of Dimes recognizes their hard work and exemplary leadership."

"Our awardees are most deserving of this prestigious honor by March of Dimes.  They all possess a strong and abiding commitment to excellence in education, research, and practice," says Linda A. McCauley, PhD, RN, FAAN, dean of Emory’s Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing.  "We are truly proud as they continue to advance Emory’s national footprint in nursing leadership."

The event, co-chaired by Marilyn Bowcutt, sr. vice president and COO of University Health Care System, in August, Georgia and Dr. Roy Simpson, vice president of Nursing for Cerner Corporation, raised over $175,000, making the Georgia Nurse of the Year Awards the biggest and most successful in the country.

"The March of Dimes could not have accomplished its initial goal of conquering polio nor could we continue to fight for babies without the support of the most compassionate, caring and devoted members of the healthcare community—nurses," said Sheila Ryan, state director of the March of Dimes.  "The Nurse of the Year event is a chance to recognize these heroes who have made an impact on the lives of so many."

All finalists represented the March of Dimes vision for a healthier, stronger generation of babies and families.