
May 13, 2025 – HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital honored nurses during National Nurses Week, and proudly announces the winners of the 2025 Nursing Exemplar Awards as well as congratulates the St. Mary’s Emergency Department on receiving the first HSHS Nursing Team of the Year Award.
“Nursing is more than a profession. It’s a calling, grounded in compassion and service,” said St. Mary’s Chief Administrative Officer Timothy Layman. “Our nurses embody that commitment every day, delivering exceptional care to our patients and supporting the health of our communities. We are deeply grateful for their unwavering dedication, hard work and the profound impact they make,” he said.
On Friday of National Nurses Week, St. Mary’s hosted the annual Nursing Exemplar Awards Ceremony. Nominations for various nursing awards were submitted by colleagues, physicians, leaders and others to highlight the above and beyond work of individuals who pursue excellence in their nursing role. Below is the full list of winners from Friday’s ceremony.
Rookie of the Year
- Shannon Summers, RN in the Emergency Department
Preceptor of the Year
- Bailey Bloomfield, RN in the Emergency Department
Partners in Nursing
- Lacey Barnes, Staffing Facilitator in Nursing Administration
- Michelle Morris, Patient Care Assistant II in the ICU
- Patty Howard, Health Clerk on the Med/Surg Unit
Nurse Leader of the Year
- Tessa Morr, RN, Team Lead on the Med/Surg Unit
Excellence in Nursing
- Cathy Stephens, RN on the Med/Surg Unit
HSHS Nursing Team of the Year
The St. Mary’s Hospital Emergency Department (ED) was honored as the first nursing to team to receive the HSHS Nursing Team of the Year award. The ED’s “left without being seen” percentage made significant improvements over the past year and is consistently meeting the goal of less than 1%.
“I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the St. Mary’s Emergency Department nursing team for their outstanding commitment to improving patient care,” said Kathy Donovan, HSHS Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer. “Their innovative approach, dedication to collaboration and relentless drive to create a better patient experience exemplifies the very best of nursing leadership and teamwork. We’re incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved.”