These nurses make a difference

In celebration of National Nurses Week, we are honoring each and every nomination in the Nurses: The Heart of Health Care program. Be sure to scroll through to see a glimpse into how each of these tireless professionals impacted coworkers, patients and families.

This program is supported by presenting sponsor BJC HealthCare and title sponsors Delmar Gardens, Mercy and SSM Health.

4th Floor Nursing Team

The entire staff was kind, helpful and understanding during my wife's stay. My wife recently had a health issue and I was beside myself. They were compassionate and made sure she was comfortable and well cared for.

Ali Smugala

Mercy Hospital South

Ali is an amazing mom and wife.

Alli Combs

SSM Health St. Clare Hospital

For being an amazing nurse! No one cares for their patients more than she does. Very proud of her for being a great nurse and making a positive difference!

Alverta Mooney Smith

Cities of St. Louis and University City

For her unselfish commitment to humanity.

Amanda Bertholomey

Mercy Hospital St. Louis

Amanda has compassion and empathy for her patients.

Amy Kosanke

Midwest Anesthesia Partners

For being an amazing mom and person.

Amy Williams

SSM Health St. Clare Hospital

For your amazing care and devotion to your job!

Andrea Follins Perkins 

Mercy Hospital South

I would like to thank her for being such a caring and supportive nurse. Her love for her patients is phenomenal.

Ashley Daniel

SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital

For her dedication and devotion to her work.

Ashley Goldsmith

Victorian Place of Owensville

We would like to thank her for being such a caring and compassionate person, and for always being there when we need her.

For being a kind and caring nurse.

Ashley Titchenal

Washington University Medical Center

For excellent care.

Bianca Andrews

St. Louis County Department of Public Health, Nurse-Family Partnership

For her dedication to her clients and improving maternal-child health.

Blake Trucano

BJC HealthCare

For caring and giving his best care.

Brooke Wilson

Mercy Virtual Care Center

Many people are alive today, due to Brooke's excellent nursing skills including placing ultrasound guided IVs quickly and successfully in the Mercy Ballas ER. She is an angel on earth!

Cara Dickinson

St. Louis Children's Hospital

For being so great with all her patients and having so much knowledge about everything.

Carol Dillon

Mercy Hospital South

For being an outstanding mentor.

Carol Krummenacher

Young in Spirit Adult Day Care

Carol makes herself available any time for health questions, emotional support or an encouraging word.

Carrie Bettlach

Washington University Medical Center

For excellent care.

Chantaya King

Alton Mental Health Center

For hard work and dedication, to treating patients with dignity and respect and being a team player!

Connie Wilkinson

Missouri Poison Center | Washington University Children's After Hours | SSM Health

For everything she does for her family and her patients.

For being so faithful to her patients and caring for them in a one-of-a-kind manner. You do not get her kind of care from anyone else. She cares for people from the elderly to infants and they each get their own kind of special care.

Crystal Bailey

St. Luke's Hospital

For being an amazing role model and leader.

Danielle Baldwin

SSM Health

Danielle is a wonderful nurse with a great heart. She uses her knowledge to teach future nurses. She is an asset to any team and a joy to be around. Danielle is able to adapt critical thinking skills to any situation. She's the best nurse!

Danielle Beiler

Always going above and beyond helping others.

Delayne Ivanowski

Mercy Hospital St. Louis

Delayne is a brave young woman, dedicating her life to helping and saving others. She not only helps people she doesn't even know on a daily basis, but also just donated her kidney to her father!

Denise Goode

Mercy Research

Mercy Research recognizes Denise for her dedicated service to her team and compassionate care to patients. She goes above and beyond to support coworkers needs, provide education and guidance and encourage growth around her.

Ebenezer Yeboah

Mercy Hospital South

Ebenezer goes above and beyond for patients and other team member every single time he works.

E'lisa Moss

CareRev Travel Registered Nurse and U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resource and Conservation Service

Thank you for healing the community and environment through your work as a registered nurse and soil conservationist. You have truly shown me how to heal myself through caring for our earth and environment.

Emily

SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital

Emily displays outstanding care and kindness.

Emily Estopare

St. Louis Children's Hospital

For giving her all each and every day, and being an advocate for the children she takes care of when they can't do it themselves.

Every nurse

Thank you for all you do!

Frances Jean Campbell

For being compassionate.

Gail Farley Wilkerson

Gail was a registered nurse for 48 years working in oncology and geriatrics. Gail went from a staff nurse to national director of resident care for a senior living company.

Gloria Adzamli 

BJC Behavioral Health

Gloria is caring and patient with our clients.

Heather Wilson

Barnes-Jewish West County Hospital

Heather works hard to care for patients.

For doing a great job.

Jean Cermak

I would like to thank my mom, Jean, for going above and beyond for over 40 years while working in several surgery departments, comforting patients in times of fear and treating coworkers with respect.

Jeanette Gaylord

BJC HealthCare

She worked her tail off to get her nursing degree at a young age, while having two kids under two. She knew from day one she was put on this earth to help people. I could not have asked for a better role model to help shape me into the nurse that I am today.

Jenni O'Brien

Mercy Hospital South

I worked with Jenni for nearly 30 years. She is the ultimate professional, knowledgeable and empathetic nurse. She volunteers for various charity organizations and gives of her free time around St. Louis.

Jennifer Beckett

Mercy Hospital South

For her amazing dedication to people.

Jennifer Gravert

St. Louis County Department of Public Health, Nurse-Family Partnership

For her dedication to health equity and maternal-child health.

Judy Weiss 

Alhambra Rehab & Healthcare

For coming out of retirement and working at a nursing home during COVID-19.

Julie Holtz

Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital

For her excellent care, compassion and inclusiveness to all.

Kaitlin Sutter

St. Louis County Department of Public Health, Nurse-Family Partnership

For the dedication to her clients and maternal-child health.

Kali Dundon

SSM Health St. Clare Hospital

For working so diligently during the pandemic and always.

Karin Scott

Barnes-Jewish Hospital

I thank Karin for her ability to connect to patients and make them feel that someone really cares. Karin is an advocate for patients everywhere.

Kassie Klepper

For her compassion and dedication to highest level of quality patient care.

Kathleen Hejna

SSM Health DePaul Hospital - St. Louis

For helping save my life.

Katie Edwards

Barnes-Jewish St. Peters Hospital

Katie is dedicated to her patients.

Katie Jett

Goldfarb School of Nursing

For her ongoing willingness to help anyone in need. She shows professionalism and empathy each day.

Kelli Marshall

Missouri Baptist Medical Center

Kelli is an outstanding nurse leader!

Kelly Eastman

SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - St. Louis

Kelly is an incredible nurse! She is a wealth of knowledge and serves as a resource to nurses all over the hospital. She treats everyone with kindness and respect. She has a great sense of humor and makes those around her smile. She will always jump in and help!

Kelly McCoy Gross

Washington University ALS Center

For her outstanding care for all of the patients (and especially my mom) at the research center for ALS.

Kelly McKinney

Barnes-Jewish Hospital Psychiatric Care

For being a valuable person, loving and compassionate to all of her patients. Her wise mind and attitude for individuals dealing with mental health is incredible.

Kerrie Kocs

Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Kerrie works hard with patients after they receive transplants.

Kimberly Gray 

Washington University Division of Infectious Disease Clinic

For her concern and dedication for her patients and her community.

Krista Wallach

SSM St. Clare Surgical Center

Krista is hard-working and a very caring caregiver.

LaKeisha Perry

Affinia Healthcare | SSM Health DePaul Hospital - St. Louis

I am nominating LaKeisha for her outstanding performance toward her patients, her patience and for being attentive to every patient's needs. She has a good listening ear, and has an all around ability to make us smile.

Lakisha White

Travel Nurse Across America

For risking your health to make sure others are well! A true hero.

Lauren Hanson

Hanson Holistic Health

For always being there to help.

Leslie Ganer

For kindness, compassion and dedication.

Lisa Gabriele

Washington University Medical Center

For outstanding and kind patient care.

Lola Robinson

St. Luke's Hospital

Thank you for being our home nurse when we needed you.

Lori Cebulski

John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital

Lori loves helping our veterans in any way she can.

Lyra Brown

SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - St. Louis

Thank you for all you do – you make a difference!

Maddy Slusser

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital

Maddy is very caring and dedicated to helping others.

Marianne Torbert, NP 

Christian Hospital

Thank you for being accessible and willing to help those who reach out to you take care of their patients.

MaryBeth Funkhouser, DNP

SSM Health St. Louis University Hospital

MaryBeth has been a staunch advocate for SLU APPs, a mentor, supportive colleague and champion for her staff since arriving at SLUH. We are so lucky to have her!

Matti Shae

Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Matti was my dad's nurse last year. She not only took care of him, but made all of our family more comfortable during a difficult time. As busy as she was, she never complained. A coworker said she was "one of the good ones."

Melissa Burkamp

Progress West Hospital

For being the best nurse ever!

Melissa Chatfield

St. Louis Children's Hospital

For her grace.

Mercy Research Nurses

Mercy Hospital St. Louis

Mercy Research thanks and recognizes its nurses for their commitment and compassion in helping find cures for our patients.

Michelle Birke

Mercy Spine Center and Pain Management - Washington

Thank you for your service and commitment to our team!

Michelle Burns 

Mercy Hospital South

Michelle will work all hours of the day. When the hospital is short, she is there cleaning rooms, transporting patients and helping any way she can. She isn't your average manager. She is always going above and beyond for our staff.

Mindy Adams

Mindy is dedicated to her profession and helping others. She has been a nurse since 2012 after going back to school as an adult with two young children. She is held in high regard amongst her peers and others. Mindy always puts her patients first.

Molly Couture

St. Luke's Hospital

Molly shows constant care and concern for her patients.

My 5300 BJC LNU

BJC HealthCare

For the kindness, generosity and listening ear you display to your patients. You understand the needs of each of them, and approach care worth remembering.

My Ung

Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Thank you for having the capacity for compassion that you do. I'm grateful that I've had the privilege to work alongside you for as long as I have.

Nicolle Myers

Washington University Medical Campus

Nicolle is an outstanding nurse and an equally amazing teacher. She has a passion for patient care and customer service. All that matters are her patients, her students and their well-being.

Nivy Rao

Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Nivy is one of the most compassionate, dedicated nurses I have had the opportunity of working with in my career. She has helped grow countless nurses and has touched the lives of even more patients and families through her years of service.

Nurse Honor Guard St. Louis

Thank you for giving your free time, giving tribute to all nurses who served.

Pam Amerson 

SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital - St. Louis

I LOVE working with Pam! I have seen her get some of the most challenging patients to laugh. When I'm having a rough day a quick huddle with Pam is all I need.

Pamela Thurston

Barnes-Jewish Hospital

For her tireless efforts and support following my organ transplant.

Payton Guffey

Behavioral Health Crisis Center - Crisis Access Point (CAP)

For compassion and saving a life.

For being strong and helping others no matter what.

For all her dedication to her patients.

Rachael Simpson

Rachael is the ideal nurse – very dedicated, loyal, passionate and compassionate. She is a great supervisor and leader who works with her employees as a team.

Rachel Gregory

DaVita North County Kidney Care Dialysis

Rachel was one of my uncle's hemodialysis nurses before he transitioned to peritoneal dialysis. She told us from day one that she would take care of him like he was her own family. My uncle did not like going three days a week for treatments, but once he got there, Rachel always brightened his day with her kindness and humor.

Regina Schroeder

Missouri Baptist Medical Center

Gina is an outstanding nursing leader!

Samantha Neeley

Southeast Missouri Mental Health Center

Sam is a wonderful nurse who is highly dedicated to delivering the highest level of care to her patients. She works very hard to give every patient she works with the care they need.

Shannon Davis

Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital

For saving my mother's life.

Sharon Davis Smith

Barnes-Jewish Hospital

Thank you Sharon for the compassion and expertise you give daily in to patients at Barnes-Jewish Hospital. During COVID-19, you were right there delivering the excellent service you always have. When my daughter, Cynthia, had stage 3 breast cancer, you were my rock.

Shelby Rickey

St. Louis Children's Hospital

For being so kind.

Sheri Beezley

South County Habilitation Center

Sheri is upbeat, full of positive energy, a collaborator and takes initiative to involve herself with projects and tasks. She is a strong advocate for clients. Our team is so fortunate to have Sheri as a team member.

Sherrie Braxton

South City Hospital | Mercy Hospital St. Louis

I want to thank this wonderful nurse for being an amazing and compassionate leader of our surgical department, who takes and shows honor in being an advocate for our patients.

Thank you for always putting others first and never complaining about it. Thank you for all that you do for others without expecting anything in return.

I want to thank this nurse for caring so much about any patient that comes her way!

St. Louis VA Medical Center, Operating Room Nurses

St. Louis VA Medical Center-Jefferson Barracks

Thank you very much for your hard work and dedication. We really appreciate the sacrifices that you are making to take care of those of us in need.

Stephanie Douglas

SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital

Steph - as my son called her - was our saving grace. My son recovered from brain surgery, then contracted bacterial meningitis and had a brain bleed. Steph was with us through it all. She was the best nurse to him and the best emotional support for me as a mom.

Sue Zessinger

Fresenius Kidney Care Wentzville

Sue is an exceptional manager. She is fair and truly cares about her employees and patients.

Susan Nash

University Internal Medicine & Diabetes Associates, a division of Washington University Clinical Associates

Susan has been committed to patients for over 35 years, constantly helping empower them to improve their quality of life as diabetes nurse educator.

Suzanne Sirko-Carney

For her unwavering dedication to her patients in the post-anesthesia care unit.

Tanesia Runnels

SSM Health Saint Louis University Hospital

Thank you for working hard and providing the utmost care for patients.

Taylor Dazey

Sumner Regional Medical Center

For her continuous hard work and dedication to many patients as she travels to different hospitals.

Tonya Moody

DaVita North County Kidney Care Dialysis

Tonya is my uncle's peritoneal dialysis nurse. She is an amazing nurse. She has the heart of a teacher and taught me how to give my uncle peritoneal dialysis treatments at home. Tonya is a hard worker and known for being at the center bright and early in the morning!

Trisha Caples

St. Luke's Hospital

Trisha is a very caring and thorough nurse. She treats her teammates and patients like extended family and provides the utmost care for them.

Trudy Vilcek

Barnes-Jewish Hospital

I have had the pleasure of working with Trudy for the last 15 years. She has taught me through her own actions how to be an independent, kind, patient and helpful nurse. She will answer your questions, start an IV, help turn a PT and provide excellent care for her own team.

Unit 2A

SSM Health St. Joseph Hospital

For everything.

Vicky Peck

Washington University Medical Center

For excellent patient advocacy.

Zakkiyya Brent

Maxim Healthcare Staffing

For hard work, determination and being caring and courageous.

 Nurse nominations were submitted by the community from their point of view. This content was produced by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch marketing department. The news and editorial departments of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch had no role in its creation or display. For more information, contact marketing@post-dispatch.com.