Everyone agrees that nurses can change your life—whether your life is in their hands, or your loved one’s is. This year’s nominations for Nurses of Excellence introduced us to nurses “on the floor” and throughout administration. The nurses who touched people’s hearts care for people at all stages of life—from birth to hospice—and through every specialty you can imagine. Our nurses are our community’s lifeblood, and we are thrilled to honor them here.
2017 Nurses of Excellence Nominees
| Ashley Vermeulen, RN The Endoscopy Center |
Jayne Backes, RN Fromm Dermatology |
Michele Harkin-Meverden Spearfish Regional Health |
| Carrie Brown, RN Regional Health |
Jennifer Holdaway Youth and Family Services |
Michelle Sieveke Home Plus Hospice |
| Carrie Collins, RN Rapid City Medical Center |
Jenny Bothwell, RN/BSN Rapid City Medica Center |
Pina Bryan, RN VA Black Hills Health Care System |
| Danielle Schneider, LPN Health Concepts, Somerset Court |
Kherdine Weber Pennington Co., State of SD |
Rebecca Williams, RN Rapid City Medical Center |
| Diana Cornford, RN Rapid City Medical Center |
Kyleen Liebig, LPN Regional Health |
Rob Simon, RN Veterans Hospital |
| Deirdre Monahan, RN Regional Health |
Laurie Rogers, RN/BSN Lead Deadwood School District |
Sarah Benne, RN Rapid City Medical Center |
| Diane Schabauer, RN/MSN/CNP Regional Heart Doctors |
Leslie Moss, RN Regional Health |
Stephanie DeGroot, RN Regional Health |
| Eileen Muellenberg Clarkson Mountain View Nursing Home |
Lisa Gibbon University of South Dakota |
Susan Evans, RN Founders Park Clinic |
| Faith Hennie Featherstone Black Hills Pediatrics |
Lois Bucholz, RN Regional Health |
Tiffanie Massingale, RN Regional Health |
| Heather Jackson, RN Regional Health |
Mavis Jefferies, CRN/CIU Rapid City Regional |
Ashley Vermeulen, RN
The Endoscopy Center
Meeting and exceeding the core values of the Endoscopy Center, Ashley goes above and beyond for her patients and colleagues, alike. From keeping calm in high-tension situations to altering her personal schedule to come in after hours and on weekends – Ashley is an outstanding nurse.
Carrie Brown, RN
NICU at Rapid City Regional
Carrie’s selflessness shines in the work she does in the pediatrics ward. Always coming in early and leaving late, Carrie looks out for others and makes sure her patients (both children and parents) are taken care of. She is looked up to by many and remains humble while striving to improve herself and others.
Carrie Collins, RN
Women’s Health at Rapid City Medical Center
In addition to compassion, Carrie possesses a heart for others. She is prompt to return calls and lab results, communicates clearly to patients about results and procedures, and cares for her patients and colleagues more than most. Always being prepared, Carrie makes a difference in countless women’s lives, including the other nurses and doctors around her.
Danielle Schneider, LPN
Long Term Care/Supervisor at Health Concepts and Somerset Court
Working two nursing jobs, attending school, and leading a family, Danielle exemplifies leadership in the highest meaning of the word. She raises others to a higher level and makes sure they are looked after, all while taking care of her patients and making them feel comfortable. Danielle goes above and beyond any tasks expected of her with a smile on her face and is an inspiration to many.
Deidre Monahan, RN
Cardio/Pulmonary at Rapid City Regional
Deidre’s caring heart for her patients rises above the crowd on many levels. From organizing rides with personal funds for patients to get the rehabilitation they need, to serving community members lunch at the park, Deidre makes sure her patients know how valuable they are – regardless of their life choices or income levels. As an outstanding nurse, she gets to know every one of her patients and strives to put a smiles on their face.
Diana Cornford, RN
Rapid City Medical Center
Diana is an excellent example of what the Rapid City Medical Center prides themselves in through their motto: “Life Happens Here.” She will work with a new parent patiently and warmly, then shift gears and work with elderly patients ensuring their care is in good hands. No matter the situation, Diana keeps calm and remains professional. She helps other staff and her physicians appreciate her ability to anticipate patients’ potential needs.
Diane Schabauer, RN, MSN, CNP
Cardiology and Vascular Medicine at Regional Heart Doctors
Diane embodies the definitions of dedication and passion. Her desire to help her colleagues and administration succeed is evident in her excessive hours of work and obtaining additional accreditations. She teaches others in her practice while thinking forward on leading and directing new things the organization can offer.
Eileen Muellenberg
Restorative Nurse at Clarkson Mountain View Nursing Home
After 40 years of caring for residents with her whole heart at Clarkson Mountain View Nursing Home, Eileen is still one of the most compassionate and enthusiastic nurses at the facility. Whether she is helping her colleagues by covering shifts or assisting with breakfast, or encouraging residents to go the extra minute on the exercise bike, Eileen cares for others like they are part of her own family. “Eileen exhibits empathy and respect not just because it is her job, but because that is just who she is.”
Faith Hennies Featherstone
Non-Neonatal Pediatrics Nurse at Black Hills Pediatrics
Faith follows her patients through from their baby years and up. She is professional and courteous when caring for her families and is always available for questions and calls – even when there has been a recent visit to Black Hills Pediatrics. She cares for children and has an apparent passion for what she does.
Heather Jackson, RN
Pediatrics at Rapid City Regional
In the times families need her most, Heather is there with her full attention for them. Caring not only for her patients, but for their families as well – Heather goes above and beyond to make sure all needs are met for everyone involved. She exhibits exceptional care and she is bright spot to her unit for the past 15 years. She is a special nurse who shows empathy and recognition to those who need it most.
Jayne Backes, RN
Fromm Dermatology
Jayne is a team player who always has her nurses’ backs. She wears many hats in the nursing field, including management, and brings outstanding knowledge to her team.
Jennifer Holdaway
Youth and Family Services
Jennifer is always willing to go above an beyond her job title when handed miscellaneous task, but is there for her team, too. When she isn’t in her office treating patients, she is helping in classrooms and teaching students about oral, mental, and physical health.
Jenny Bothwell, RN/BSN
Infectious Diseases at Rapid City Medical Center
No matter what the job takes, Jenny is there. From working extensive hours, to creating new improvements to the clinic, Jenny goes above and beyond in her job and is the core of her team. Because of her, patients’ needs are met, schedules and plans are taken care of, and the service patients receive is top notch.
Kherdine Weber
Detox Nurse at Pennington Co. Community Health
Kherdine is truly passionate about being a nurse, taking care of her patients and her community. She strives to understand individuals and give them attentive help all while seeing the big picture. She organizes community health drives and is a humble, graceful professional.
Kyleen Liebig, LPN
Rapid City Regional Family Medicine Residency Clinic
Kyleen is always one step ahead of her situation in the clinic, anticipating the needs of others before considering herself. Whether she is helping team members through difficult situations or checking on community members in between her regular job duties, Kyleen is there to help.
Laurie Rogers, RN, BSN
School Nurse at Lead-Deadwood School District
Taking care of school staff, administration, and students, Laurie attends the health, emotional, social needs of the entire district–including all student information. Laurie hosts CPR training for staff and is always there for students in need.
Leslie Moss, RN
Infusion Services at Rapid City Regional
Leslie strives to make her patients’ experience a good one at Rapid City Regional. For example, she coordinated gifts for all the “kids” in her clinic for the Friday before Christmas – just to put a smile on their face. She sets her team’s, patients’, and family’s needs above her own, making her an outstanding nurse, mom and community professional.
Lisa Gibbon
Nurse Educator at University of South Dakota
The personalization of her classes that Lisa exemplifies to her students is above extraordinary. From one-on-one meetings to arranging care packages to students going through personal road bumps, Lisa shares her caring personality every day. With her master’s degree secured, Lisa is completing her doctorate and is an inspiration to her colleagues and fellow teachers.
Lois Bucholz, RN
Behavioral Health at Rapid City Regional
At 70 plus years, Lois works circles around her younger colleagues at a job that defines multi-tasking. She remains flexible through training and always puts her lessons into action – all while remaining calm and giving each patient the individual care they need. She sets the bar high for her teammates, but is always there to guide and help others succeed, as well.
Mavis Jefferies, CRN
Rapid City Regional
Mavis gives 100% of herself to every patient, co-worker, and employer. She explains procedures clearly with common terms and is always willing to help wear needed.
Michele Harkin-Meverden
Surgical Services Nursing Manager at Spearfish Regional Hospital
Michele is a unit leader every nurse wishes they could be a part of. Placing their needs high above her own, Michele promotes healthy families, understanding and warmth, all while working to improve their patient’s lives. Relating to patients and their situations, Michele goes above and beyond to make them feel as comfortable as they possibly can be with her unit. Together they make a difference.
Michelle Sieveke
Home Health at Home Plus Hospice
Going above and beyond is embedded in Michelle’s heart and personality. She takes care of her patients, not only with their health, but helping rake their yards, celebrating their birthdays, and lifting their spirits any way she can. She started as a candy striper at age 12 and has been dedicated to nursing ever since.
Pina Bryan, RN
Emergency Department at VA Black Hills Care System
Pina has a special attitude towards veterans, treating them like the veterans they are. She also is extremely helpful to students as they are learning the ropes of all things nursing, including IVs, studying tips, and more.
Rebecca Williams, RN
Family Practice at Rapid City Medical Center
Rebecca encompasses the profession of nursing and cares deeply for those around her. She has a compassion for future nursing professionals, as well – teaching and training them in her unit to the best of her ability. She has successfully accomplished getting her LPN to RN degree and is the go-to nurse on the team.
Rob Simon, RN
Post Anesthesia Care at Veterans Hospital
Rob is able to draw from areas of his own life to bring special, individual care to his patients. He is skilled in multiple areas of dialysis, pre-op and post-op disciplines and is looked up to by many.
Sarah Benne, RN
Specialty Float Nurse at Rapid City Medical Center
Sarah sets a great example to those around her; not only in the nursing profession but as an individual, as well. She is trained to float to most of the specialties offered at Rapid City Medical Center – serving over 50 providers and countless patients spanning over five local clinics. All the while, Sarah expands her knowledge and individualizes her care to everyone she meets.
Stephanie De Groot, RN
Medical-Surgical Nursing at Rapid City Regional
Thinking outside of the box, Stephanie demonstrates care and passion beyond the hospital walls. She is a huge comfort for families and is always looking for a way to help.
Susan Evans, RN
Pediatrics: Non-Neonatal at Founders Park Clinic
Susan treats each patient as her own child, and is always comforting to the families that walk into the clinic. From careful and precise direction when teaching parents what to do, to calming the children and getting on their level while talking to them, Susan is a joy to many.
Tiffanie Massingale, RN
Labor and Delivery at Rapid City Regional
Tiffanie has the responsibility of two patients at a time. Making sure both mom and baby are safe and taken care of is her all-time goal and she does it with wisdom, knowledge and passion. In high-risk situations, Tiffanie keeps a level head is there to ensure Mom that she is taken care of.