Please join us in celebrating our 2020 Pillar Award Winners! ISNA honors nursing friends and colleagues that exemplify the foundational pillars of our association. At ISNA we concentrate on four values that positively transform the nursing profession: Advocacy, Leadership, Professionalism (& Practice) and Unity. Each year we honor nurses and nursing students that exemplify our values. Please help me in congratulating our follwing 2020 winners and honorable nominations!

Advocacy - Exceptional contributions to the development and implementation of health-related policy at the local, state, and national level.

Jean Ross, MHA, BSN, RN

Founder of Kaybee.Us

Jean has been an active member of the ISNA for many years. Anytime ISNA is asked to speak at an event about policy and advocacy, Jean is the first to raise her hand to help. It does not matter how far she might have to drive, she will go anywhere if it means advocating for ISNA and sharing with others how to get involved in advocacy efforts. I have observed her presentations at the schools of nursing and she is an extremely dynamic speaker who brings so much energy to the room. In 2019, we noticed our membership growing slowly and I can't help but to think she has had an impact on bringing in new members with all of the speaking engagements she has volunteered to do for ISNA. In 2018, she brought a resolution on Gun Violence forward and was met with some resistance. However, she kept moving forward and met with those in opposition to come to a bi-partisan agreement. This took some deep self-reflection and openness to listen on her part. Last year, the resolution was finally adopted. Her ability to see things differently and seek to understand all angles to move the resolution forward was remarkable. Jean is always looking to advocate for what she believes in and has a passion for improving patient care. Her passion, energy, and persistence in advocating for what is right is palpable by all who know and work with her.

Honarable Nominees – Jason King & Lauren Earl

Leadership - Distinguished excellence and innovation in national and local nursing, academic, and community leadership and mentorship

Jean Putnam, DNP, MS, RN, CPHQ

EVP, Chief Nursing Officer Community Health Network

Jean is a mentor to many and a master of relationships. She has been an advocate for relationship based care training for all caregivers at Community Health Network which focuses on caring for yourself so you can care for others. She makes those around her feel included and appreciated. She is a strong advocate for diversity in nursing and leads Community Health Network's diversity in nursing committee. She has strong ties with our local universities and colleges and has been able to acquire multiple grants to foster partnerships that enhance the professional development of nurses. She is currently working on funding to assist medical assistants who want to go to nursing school. She also promotes and educates nurses on policy and advocacy efforts at all levels of nursing. At her quarterly Nursing Caucus meetings, she provides a legislative update to keep all nurses abreast of what is happening at the state and federal level and encourages them to be aware and engaged in the legislative process. I feel blessed to know Jean and value her contributions to the nursing profession.

Honorable Nominees – Terri Stigdon & Amy Pettit

Professionalism & Practice - Outstanding professional contributions and excellence in the practice of the science and art of nursing.

(T) Hilary Brown MSN-Ed, RN

(M) Bri Carrera MSN, RN, TCRN

(B) Lori Stanley BSN, RN

Riley Hospital for Children

Lori, Bri, and Hilary developed a nationally recognized webinar: Optimizing Nursing Staff During a Pandemic. "The COVID-19 pandemic is contributing to staffing shortages at a time when acute care organizations are anticipated to reach, and potentially exceed, capacity. All available healthcare professionals, even those who do not routinely provide patient care, might be needed to ensure patients’ needs are met. The purpose of this webinar is to describe a rapid orientation process for deploying nurses to ensure safe patient care during workforce shortages." This group of Indiana Nurses have been applauded by sister nursing associations, the national Association for Nursing Professional Development, and will be presenting at the upcoming ANCC Virtual Summit.

 Honorable Nominee – Lauren Earl

Unity - Impressive support of the nursing profession through integrated coordination and collaboration within ISNA and external partner

 
Jennifer Embree DNP, RN, NE-BC, CCNS, FAAN

Associate Professor Indiana University School of Nursing & Magnet Coordinator Ezkenazi Health

 Jen has been involved at the state and national levels regarding nursing issues for over a decade. She has mentored scores of nurses as a CNO, an educator, and as president of ISNA. She has represented nurses on the ICN and IONE boards. She has served ANA on numerous committees and has mentored other state presidents and board members. Her dedication to nursing as a mentor, partner, and educator makes her an outstanding pillar of Unity for Nursing. Thanks, Jen. It is a pleasure working with you. Your contributions will be felt for a very long time.

 Honorable Nominee – John Shepard

Exemplary Student -  A preeminent nursing student (any focus or level of study) who embodies the ISNA Pillars with an emphasis to improve and promote the nursing profession

Lauren Earl, BSN, RN, CMSRN

Clinical Nurse, Schneck Medical Center

Lauren has a passion for forensic nursing and recognized the opportunity to improve the care delivery system for this vulnerable patient population at Schneck Medical Center (SMC). In 2016 and 2017, SMC experienced a 35% increase in presentation of the following chief complaints to the emergency department (ED): sexual assault, suspected abuse, and assault other. Lauren knew that based on these statistics, a formal SANE program was needed. She also knew that she needed to obtain formal education to support the creation of this program. She began her advocacy for a SANE program, in May 2017. She also began formal education, to work toward a Masters Degree in Forensic Nursing. Lauren began establishment of the SANE program, in May of 2019, by reviewing and revising the Treatment of Sexual Assault Policy. The policy changes became effective, in August of 2019, providing SMC with an up-to-date, evidence-based policy to guide the treatment of patients experiencing sexual assault.In addition to updating the Treatment of Sexual Assault Policy, Lauren formed a SANE council to drive improvements in the care of patients experiencing sexual assault. The SANE council is comprised of clinical nurses from the Emergency Department who have formal SANE training and focuses on improving evidence-based care for patients experiencing sexual assault. The council meets quarterly to discuss SANE specific concerns including: case reviews, exam techniques, standard of care updates, documentation, and other pertinent topics. Lauren also works to ensure that all SANE prepared nurses in the organization stay competent with their skills. She partnered with nursing education to obtain a grant for a Gynecological Exam Simulator. She uses this simulator to provide simulation educational experiences at each meeting of the SANE council. Lauren has had a major impact on the quality of care provided at SMC and truly exemplifies professionalism and in nursing.

 Honorable Nominee – Andi Jacobs

At ISNA’s 2020 Virtual Conference and Annual Meeting, our President Emily Sego also recognized a very special longtime advocate of ISNA through the

President’s Award, for distinguished service and valuable assistance to the association:

Glenna Shelby, JD, MBA

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