Outstanding nurses for 2012 named

  The weeklong celebration for all nurses in the Commonwealth marked another historic success with the recognition of outstanding nursing employees, both at the public hospital and in private clinics on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

CNMI Nurses Week was celebrated on June 17 to 23 in honor of the contributions of nurses in the delivery of quality healthcare in the Commonwealth. Among the highlights of the celebration were the traditional Mass, continuing educational sessions, and special lunch gatherings, capped by the annual Nurses’ Ball at the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan.

According to CNMI Nursing Association president Rowena Alturas, the Nurses’ Ball was attended by an estimated 250 individuals, including Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. CEO Juan N. Babauta, Nursing director Leticia Reyes, corporation board members, health officials, some lawmakers, and employees.

Outstanding nursing employees for 2012 were recognized that night.

The association and corporation officials presented its best unit manager award to Karlo Reyes III of the Hemodialysis Unit and Nieves Nekaifes of the Intensive Care Unit.

Hailed as 2012’s best staff nurse was Vivian Concepcion of the Medical Surgery Department while the best nursing assistant award went to Daisy Cabrera.

The prestigious best nursing supervisor award went to Gayline Blau, while the pediatric and ICU units were selected as this year’s best departments.

Regina Quiming and Hazel Lanteja were respectively hailed as the best nurses at the Rota and Tinian health centers.

Nine other outstanding nurses were selected from the private and home care clinics. They included Selma Salas from Saipan Health Clinic; Barbette Lopez from Saipan Health Clinic St. Jude; Soh Kwon from Marianas Medical Center; Jenifer Bahatan from Kaiser Home Health Center; Helen Hee from Hardt Eye Clinic; Lucy Pangelinan from FHP Health Center; Renea Raho from Marianas Associates of the Pacific; Irish Luzana from Marianas Home Services; and Resty Corotan from Pacific Medical Center.

All nominees for each category were given certificates of recognition.

In her message, Alturas expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the hardworking nursing workforce on the three islands for continuously providing quality service to patients. She also acknowledged the commitment and hard work of partners in private clinics.

The nurses’ ball was coordinated by Ernie Molina and was emceed by Ulysses Sabuco.

By Moneth Deposa
Reporter