VA Medical Center Honors Nurses

The Houston Veterans Affairs Medical Center will honor its nurses during this year's National Nurses Week, May 6-12. "Nurses - the Light of Excellence" is the local theme for the 2001 celebration, which focuses on recognizing the hard work and accomplishments of America's 2.6 million registered nurses as they work to save lives and maintain the health of millions of patients. The Houston VA Medical Center employs more than 800 nurses and ancillary staff in a variety of specialties. They are part of a national VA workforce of more than 59,000 nurses.

Five Houston VA employees will be honored during the "Excellence in Nursing Awards" ceremony on May 8 at 2 p.m. in the main auditorium of the Houston VA Medical Center. Additionally, local honorees will be considered for the VA Secretary's Award for Excellence in Nursing. National winners will include a registered nurse, a licensed practical or vocational nurse and a nursing assistant, to be recognized during National Nurses Week at a ceremony in Washington, D.C.

Houston VA Medical Center Director Edgar Tucker said, "These excellent VA nurses show the expanding role nurses play in health care. Their vital services are in increasing demand because of VA's growing patient population, changes in health care settings, new medical technology and our patients' changing needs."

This year, the Houston VA Medical Center award recipients are:

Norma Faye Young (RN, BSN), Staff RN honoree - Young has more than 15 years of experience, and has successfully completed a tour as a nurse manager. She now serves in the dual capacity as spinal-cord injury home-care case manager and clinic nurse. Young also maintains American Nurses Association certification as a rehabilitation nurse and is a member of the Spinal Cord Injury Nurses Association.

Lula Williams (RN, MSN), Specialty Role Nurse honoree - Williams is an advanced-practice nurse with more than 30 years of experience. As the preoperative screening clinic coordinator, she has integrated the entire surgical process for veteran patients and their families by facilitating the delivery of nursing care and collaborating with physicians, administrators and other services that interface during the preoperative process. In 1999, Williams received the Federal Executive Board's Efficiency and Cost Award. She also belongs to Sigma Theta Tau, the American Cancer Society and the Cardiovascular Nursing Society.

Joyce Elder (LVN), Licensed Vocational Nurse honoree - Elder has provided patient care for more than 20 years. She is recognized for being a good decision maker, and for going out of her way to ensure that the veterans on her unit have a pleasant stay.

Valentine Williams, NA, Nursing Assistant honoree - Williams has worked in Psychiatry for 16 years. She has been an effective troubleshooter and listener when patients are in need of a kind ear.

Sabra Cormier, Medical Unit Clerk honoree - Patients and staff constantly commend Cormier for her courteousness. She always exhibits a positive attitude despite of the frequent disruptions that occur in the Medical Intensive Care Unit.

"These outstanding members of our health care team demonstrate the skill and compassion that make VA health care second to none," Tucker said. "They are leaders in our goal of providing quality health care to true heroes, our nation's veterans."

The VA Health Care System is the largest integrated health care system in the country, and VA nurses are leaders in their profession. They serve as administrators, educators and research investigators, as well as providers of direct care. Thousands of professional nurses in the United States have received clinical training from VA through its 468 nursing school affiliates around the country.

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©2006 Texas Medical Center

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