Nursing Excellence Shines Across Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System During Nurses Week

May 23, 2024

Baton Rouge, LA - Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System (FMOLHS) proudly celebrated Nurses Week by recognizing the exceptional dedication and commitment of its nursing staff. From May 6 - 12, FMOLHS honored the invaluable contributions made by nurses across its network of hospitals and healthcare facilities.

“Nurses Week provides us with an opportunity to reflect on the extraordinary contributions of our nursing staff,” said Kristin Wolkart, EVP, Chief Nursing Officer and Interim Chief Operating Officer at FMOLHS . “Their dedication to providing exceptional care to our patients is unmatched, and we are privileged to have them as part of our healthcare team.”

Nurses Week is an annual event that acknowledges the significant role nurses play in providing high-quality patient care. This year's theme, "Carrying the Torch," perfectly embodied the unwavering commitment of FMOLHS nurses to deliver exceptional healthcare services to their patients.

One of the highlights of Nurses Week was the Annual Nurse Excellence Awards Ceremony, held across the health system. This event provided a platform to recognize and honor the outstanding achievements of nursing staff in various categories, including clinical excellence, innovation in nursing, leadership, and community engagement.

Award recipients across the health system include the following:

Baton Rouge

• Excellence in Nursing, Non-traditional Role: Lindsey Booty, RN, BS, CNOR (Performance Improvement)
• Rookie of the Year: Jordan Russo, RN, CCRN, CMC (MSCC)
• Advanced Practice or Masters Prepared Nurse of the Year: Kristen Richard, MSN, RN (OLOLA ED)
• Excellence in Nursing, Clinic Setting: Lauren Maxwell, LPN, AE-C (Peds Academic Clinic)
• Preceptor of the Year: Katie Roy, BSN, RN, CMSRN (PCS Float)
• Nurse Supervisor of the Year: Lindsey Wells, BSN, RN, CEN, CCRN (Assumption ED)
• Friend of Nursing (Non-Nursing): Brian Ledet, RPh (Pharmacy) and Caprice Phagans, CSR (Med 1)
• Excellence in Clinical Practice:
• Amy Vong, BSN, RN, CMSRN (Med 1)
• Jaclyn Blank, BSN, RN (OLOLCH ED)
• Samantha Cambre, BSN, RN, CPEN (OLOLCH ED)
• Gabrielle Geiger, BSN, RN, CEN, TCRN (OLOLA ED)
• Clay Babineaux, BSN, RN (HVCU)
• Anthony Smith, BSN, RN (PCS Float)
• Ronald Pellegrin Jr., BSN, RN, CPEN (OLOLCH ED)
• Kim Burkett, RN, TNCC, ENPC (Flex Choice/NBR ED)
• Hall of Fame: Laura Brown, BSN, RN (PCS)
• Nurse Leader of the Year: Tammy O’Connor, MSN, RN, CEN, TNCC, ENPC (OLOLA ED)

Acadiana

• Rookie of the Year: Jarret Cooper, RN, Operating Room, ACC
• Preceptor of the Year: Shayna Hypolite, RN, Labor and Delivery, WCH
• Nurse Supervisor of the Year: Bradley Guidry, RN, House Supervisor, HH
• Nurse Leader of the Year: Erin Arceneaux, RN, Ortho/Neuro Unit, ACC
• Excellence in Nursing Award (Clinic Setting): Virginia Menard, LPN, Our Lady of Lourdes Physician Group
• Excellence in Nursing Award (Non-Traditional Role): Mary Dugas, RN, Our Lady of Lourdes Wound Care Center
• Excellence in Clinical Practice Award: Stacey Bertrand, RN, Medical Acute Care Unit, ACC
• Friend of Nursing Award: Taylor Smith, Respiratory Therapist, HH
• Hall of Fame Award: Nicole Billeaud, RN, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, WCH
• Advance Practice or Master’s Prepared Nurse of the Year: Gilbert Fontenette, DNP, Our Lady of Lourdes Physician Group & Medical ICU
• Posthumously Distinguished Award: Frank Courmier, MD, Our Lady of Lourdes Pulmonology Clinic

Monroe

• Clinical Practice: Molly Knapp, RN, Pre-Op PACU
• Nurse Leader of the Year: Tammy Bethea, RN, Supervisor - Endoscopy
• Rookie of the Year: Hunter Pichard, RN, Emergency Department
• Clinic Setting: Courtney Weston, ARPN, FNP-C, Primary Care - CHC/Central

Northshore

• Excellence in Nursing (Clinic Setting): Jordan Creel
• Excellence in Nursing (Hospital Setting): Haylee Schilling, RN
• Excellence in Nursing (Non-Traditional Role): Dana Seal, LPN
• Nurse Leader of the Year (Manager/ House Supervisor/ Supervisor/ Charge Nurse): Shasta Beach, RN
• Advanced Practice Practitioner of the Year: Susette Dean, NP
• Rookie of the Years (2 years or less nursing experience): Bailey Stewart, LPN
• Friend of Nursing (non-nursing): Bonnie Branton

Jackson

• Excellence in Clinical Practice (Hospital Setting): Erika Coburn, Nursery
• Excellence in Nursing (Clinic Setting): Stacey Smith, SDMA Neurology
• Excellence in Nursing (Non-Traditional Role): Lacey Griffith, Clinical Education
• Nurse Leader of the Year: Dustin Foster, Director of Nursing, Critical Care, Rapid Response, Vascular Access
• Rookie of the Year: Emma Parker, 6 EastPreceptor of the Year: Amber Letcher, Neuro ICU
• Friend of Nursing: Mark Davis, Pastoral Care

Throughout the week, FMOLHS hosted activities and events to express gratitude and appreciation for its nursing staff. These initiatives included recognition ceremonies and special tokens of appreciation.

FMOLHS is renowned for its commitment to nursing excellence. The health system strongly emphasizes providing ongoing professional development opportunities for its nursing staff. By investing in their education and training, FMOLHS ensures that its nurses are equipped with the latest knowledge and skills to deliver the highest standard of care.

FMOLHS extends its heartfelt appreciation to all nurses for their unwavering commitment to patient care and invaluable contributions to the health system.

For more information about FMOLHS and its commitment to nursing excellence, please visit fmolhs.org.