They’re grace under fire working long hours, making split-second life-changing decisions, while offering unending comfort and support to patients and families who face enormous healthcare challenges. In fact, when patients and their families recount their experiences at Phoenix Children’s, their nursing team is often the first to receive their admiration and gratitude.

In honor of nurses across the hospital system, Phoenix Children’s is celebrating National Nurses Week with a week-long calendar of events to show appreciation for the people who make an indelible impact on patient care.

The celebration kicked off on May 7 with the annual Nursing Excellence Awards recognizing the accomplishments of Phoenix Children’s finest nurses. 

The ceremony honored four nurses in the following categories:

  • Amanda Yant of Glendale was recognized as Staff Nurse of the Year, an award that’s given to the nurse who exemplifies Phoenix Children’s values and goes above and beyond to achieve the organization’s mission to provide hope, healing and the best health care for children and their families.
  • Debra Rudolph of North Phoenix was honored with the Education Award, highlighting nurses who formally or informally fill the education role and demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning, providing quality patient and family education, and helping staff accomplish their education goals.
  • Erica Olson of Cave Creek received the Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Award, which honors nurses who explore the safest and best practices for their patients and generate new knowledge based on that evidence.
  • Tracy Herbert of North Phoenix was named this year’s Transformational Leader, an award recognizing nurses who embody a leadership style that fosters an environment where nurses feel their voices are heard, their input is valued and their practice is supported.

“Nurses Week is a special opportunity to recognize our nurses’ extraordinary commitment and the contributions they make in the lives of our patients and our community,” said Julie Bowman, MSN, RN, senior vice president of patient care services and chief nursing officer for Phoenix Children’s. “The scope of their responsibilities is broad and deep – from taking vitals and administering medication to lifting a child’s spirits, offering an encouraging word (and cup of coffee) to an exhausted parent, and even providing a shoulder to cry on. They leave a lasting mark on every family they serve.”

Phoenix Children’s Nurses Week celebration will continue with a variety of appreciation events, unique educational opportunities, and a host of gift cards and other giveaways for the hospital system’s 1,094 nurses. Among the highlights of the week is Thursday’s garden social, which provides an opportunity for nurses to celebrate and network with colleagues across the organization.

“Building a culture of appreciation is an important focus for Phoenix Children’s,” added Bowman. “Our nurses give their very best every single day, and we are forever grateful for their tireless work and unwavering dedication.”

Indeed, while Phoenix Children’s is highly regarded for its top providers and best-in-class patient care, the hospital system is also well known for creating an outstanding workplace for its staff. In just the last month, Phoenix Children’s has been honored with Maricopa County Public Health’s Platinum Healthy Worksite Award, Phoenix Business Journal’s Healthiest Employer Awards, and named among Becker’s150 Top Places to Work, an award Phoenix Children’s has received for five years running.

About Phoenix Children’s Hospital

Phoenix Children’s Hospital is Arizona’s only children’s hospital that is ranked in US News & World Report’s Best Children’s Hospitals. Phoenix Children's provides world-class inpatient, outpatient, trauma, emergency and urgent care to children and families in Arizona and throughout the Southwest. As one of the largest children’s hospitals in the country, Phoenix Children’s provides care across more than 75 pediatric specialties. The Hospital is poised for continued growth in quality patient care, research and medical education. For more information about the hospital, visit phoenixchildrens.org.