From left: Brooke Amos, patient care technician of the year, Shawna King, RN of the year, Nicole Ruble, LPN of the year, Alexis Dailey, Rookie of the Year, and Chief Nursing Officer Carol Grove celebrate their awards at the Excellence Reception Wednesday afternoon at the WVU Medicine Camden Clark Auditorium. (Photo by Kristen Hainkel)

PARKERSBURG — WVU Medicine Camden Clark recognized the cream of the crop of its nursing staff during an Excellence Reception Wednesday afternoon.

The ceremony was part of the hospital’s celebration of National Nurses Week from May 6-12. Chief Nursing Officer Carol Grove said this is her favorite week of the year because it celebrates the hard work nurses put in each day.

Grove said they received 67 nominations across five categories. Narrowing the field down to the top three and eventually picking a winner was not an easy task.

“I believe we have a room full of winners,” she said. “From start to finish, we work as a team and celebrate their accomplishments.”

Once a winner was announced, Grove read a submitted piece about that person.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shari Vance congratulates nominees, winners, and nurses in attendance at the Excellence Reception Wednesday afternoon at the WVU Medicine Camden Clark Auditorium. (Photo by Kristen Hainkel)

The first category was a patient care technician (PCT) of the year. The finalists were Paige Vancooney, Mckala McCray, and Brooke Amos. Amos was announced as the winner. Groves said Amos has been an employee of WVU Medicine Camden Clark for over 14 years.

“She’s very dedicated and hardworking, extremely organized and completely focused on patient care and satisfaction,” Grove read about Amos.

The next category was certified medical assistant of the year. Amanda Jackson, Melissa Smith, and Sam Gladowski were the finalists. Smith was announced as the winner, but she was not present. Grove said she was probably working.

“She goes above and beyond for her patients and she treats them as though she would want her family to be treated,” Grove read about Smith.

The next category was licensed practical nurse or LPN of the year. Nicole Ruble and Shyel Kehle were the finalists and Ruble was the winner.

Chief Nursing Officer Carol Grove, right, presents Nicole Ruble with her plaque for LPN of the year during the Excellence Reception Wednesday afternoon at the WVU Medicine Camden Clark Auditorium. (Photo by Kristen Hainkel)

“She’s always there to help and take initiative to help others when needed, even though she’s busy,” Grove read from Ruble’s nomination.

Grove said Rookie of the Year was a nurse who had been in the profession for less than a year but gave it their all. Fourteen nominations were submitted for this category.

Three finalists were announced: Kasandra Barton, Adelle Newsom and Alexis Dailey. Dailey was named the winner.

“Her nomination said that she plays a critical role in ensuring high quality clinical care at the heart of quality patient care, led clinical competence,” Grove said.

Dailey said she was surprised when her name was announced.

“I was not expecting it, but I’m very thankful. It’s nice to be recognized and my efforts are recognized,” she said.

For Registered Nurse of the Year, Grove said 25 nominations were submitted. Three finalists were listed: Shawna King, Kendra Peck and Lynn Ohrn. King was the winner.

“She’s always willing to help and to work on improving the workplace and is not afraid to change. Compassion is demonstrated on how she treats her patients,” Grove read about King.

King, a nurse on the Cardiac ICU ward, said she doesn’t do what she does for recognition, but for the love of caring for people.

“I am the voice for the patients. I love to hold their hand and talk to them and they talk to me. If they are intubated and can’t speak, you are their voice and advocate,” she said.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Shari Vance said she congratulated every nurse in the room, whether they were nominated or not.

“I want to congratulate everybody else that’s in this room that has chosen nursing and caring for patients as their profession. Because that is such an importantly vital job and sometimes under-appreciated, I think,” she said. “Things like this let us show you our appreciation for what you do.”

Kristen Hainkel can be reached at khainkel@newsandsentinel.com