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Distinguished Nurse of the Year Honored
March of Dimes recognizes nurses in Minnesota
For Immediate Release October 8, 2011(Edina, MN)—Known for her dedication to caring for children and their families, March of Dimes names Sarah Gutknecht the 2011 Distinguished Nurse of the Year.
Gutknecht is a pediatric nurse practioner who cares for children with special needs at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare and Shriners Hospital for Children- Twin Cities. In addition, Gutknecht has cared for children around the world through her volunteer work in patient care, teaching and leadership positions.
“She approaches sainthood status with me in terms of the frequent and amazing work she does abroad in countries from Haiti to Vietnam,” said colleague Patrick Rivard in his nomination of Gutknecht. “Her colleagues here at Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare respect and revere her contributions to children, family, colleagues and our profession.”
March of Dimes celebrated Nurse of the Year winners in 14 additional categoriesat a dinner and awards program Saturday, October 8, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis. The honorees’ leadership and contributions have made a significant impact on their community and to the profession of nursing. Additional winners include:
Category / Nurse of Year WinnerAdvanced Practice / Barbara St. Marie, Fairview Ridges
Care Management / Karen Wendt, University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital
Community Service & Public Health / Karie Pearce, Hennepin County Medical Center
Education & Research / Marjorie A. Schaffer, Bethel University
Leadership / Dawn Bazarko, UnitedHealth Group
Long Term & Rehabilitation Care / Lynette Froehlich, Glencoe Regional Health Services
Neonatal / Marla Mills, University of Minnesota Amplatz Children’s Hospital
Pediatric / Gail Busch, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare
Rising Star / Jennifer Esser, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare
Rural Health / Jennifer Strickland, Lakewood Health System
School Nurse / Debrah Vander Kooi, Luverne Public Schools
Staff Nurse - Critical Care / Carol Mager, Fairview Southdale
Staff Nurse - General Care / Patricia L. Theisen, St. Cloud Hospital
Women's Health / Sarah Hallman, St. Francis Hospital
Distinguished Nurse of the Year / Sarah Gutknecht, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare and Shriners Hospital for Children -Twin Cities
Nominations were submitted by patients, their families and health care professionals statewide.
Nurse of the Year Awards benefit the March of Dimes mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. This second annual event raised $76,000 for the mission of the March of Dimes.
Nurse of the Year is sponsored by Allina Hospitals & Clinics, Children’s Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota, Cigna, Fairview Health Services, Essentia Health, Gillette Children’s Specialty Healthcare, HealthPartners/Regions Hospital, Hennepin County Medical Center, Maple Grove Hospital, North Memorial, St. Cloud Hospital and SmartTalk ConnectedConversations featuring Tim Gunn, Andie MacDowell and Arianna Huffington in the 2012 series.
The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org. Find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.