Marilyn Dubree, R.N.
Department of Nursing named Employer of the Year by TNA
The Department of Nursing at Vanderbilt University Medical Center has been named Employer of the Year for 2004 by the Tennessee Nurses Association (TNA).
The Award is given to a health care agency that recognizes and supports the instrumental role registered nurses play in the delivery of quality health care to the people of Tennessee.
“This award from the Tennessee Nurses Association is an affirmation of the work and effort that all of the nursing staff and leadership are putting into creating a great environment for nursing practice and patient care,” said Marilyn Dubree, R.N., chief nursing officer and director of Patient Care Services. “
We are indebted to the collaborative efforts of many partners and colleagues within the Medical Center. The work of nursing in this Medical Center is accomplished with the help of a wonderful team. The criteria for the award highlighted many of the strengths that Vanderbilt has — clinical quality, strong recruitment and retention, decision-making, leadership, collaboration and innovation.”
Maureen Nalle, president of the TNA, said the Nursing department at VUMC was well deserving of the honor. “At a time when nurses and nursing are so much in the forefront of health care, it's really a privilege for TNA to recognize outstanding individuals and facilities that exemplify excellence in our profession,” Nalle said.
Dubree received the award on behalf of nurses at VUMC at a special awards luncheon, held in conjunction with TNA's annual convention.
The President of Vanderbilt Home Care Services Inc., Laura Beth Brown, R.N., was chosen by fellow TNA members to act as a nursing leader on behalf of the organization. Brown was elected vice president of the TNA and was recognized at the awards ceremony. I am delighted to have this opportunity to be a part of my professional organization, to influence policy and advancement of the nursing profession. The support and encouragement I have received from Vanderbilt is unbelievable, my colleagues have set the example, and I am simply following in their footsteps,” said Brown.
The director of Patient Care Services at Vanderbilt Home Care was also recognized. Janie Parmley, R.N., was named recipient of the John William Runyan Jr. Community Nursing Award. The award is presented by the University of Tennessee Health Science Center at TNA's Convention each year.
Parmley was chosen based on her outstanding contributions to the development and promotion of health in the community. “I feel humbled to receive this award as recognition of the 10 years of service as a nurse on the Metropolitan Nashville Board of Health. I have been privileged to serve as the chairperson of this board for the past nine years and have just recently been reappointed by Mayor Bill Purcell and approved by the Council for another five years,” said Parmley. “It has been very important to serve with a strong nurse presence on this board and represent and direct the public health needs of this community,” she added.
Susie Adams, R.N., director of VUSN's Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Program was honored with the 2004 TNA Achievement Award for Nursing Excellence. “To be recognized by TNA, my colleagues, and students for excellence in nursing is both and honor and a challenge-since nurses in hospitals and clinics strive every day to deliver compassionate care to patients and families-isn't that what nursing is about?” said Adams.
Karen Starr, R.N., senior associate of Psychiatry and assistant professor of Nursing, nominated Adams for the award. “She is absolutely the most able-bodied and diversified nurse I've ever known,” said Starr. “She has an astute sense of community, and she is a wonderful role model to nurses and nursing graduate students,” Starr added.