RECOGNIZING EXCELLENCE
2022 Nursing Excellence Awards
T
o celebrate oncology nursing month and national nurses week, Florida Cancer Specialists sent out a call for nominations for the 2022 Oncology Nursing Excellence Awards. The response was tremendous. More than 40 FCS nurses were nominated by their peers and fellow team members for their superior quality of oncology nursing and leadership capabilities. Through a challenging blind review, the top two nominees were selected. Winners were notified in a surprise site visit by FCS leaders, and each received a plaque, one paid time off day and a basket of goodies created by FCS Director of Nursing Diane Cope, PhD, APRN-BC, AOCN.
As Team Lead, Jade Valencia, RN, BSN, OCN is the “solid rock” that the FCS Lakewood Ranch nursing and pharmacy teams rely on daily. She never shies away from any task and proactively jumps in to help keep the clinic running smoothly. Jade greets patients by their first names and displays unfaltering kindness and patience to all. Her colleagues admire her special ability to handle difficult situations with her calm and reassuring manner. Despite having lost both her parents and sister within the past year due to COVID-19, she continues on with a positive attitude and smile on her face. Congratulations, Jade!
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FCS Magazine
2022 EXCELLENCE IN NURSING LEADERSHIP AWARDEE PATRICIA MOREHEAD, RN FCS Lake Nona Clinical Nurse Manager Patricia Morehead, RN is described as a leader who communicates effectively and always makes time to listen, teach and go the extra mile for her staff — demonstrating concern and empathy for all. In addition to being an outstanding clinical nurse manager, she is admired by her FCS Lake Nona colleagues for being an exceptional oncology nurse, who genuinely cares about what she does and for the special connections she develops with patients. Patricia serves as a role model for all. It was noted on her nomination that, “She is the difference that she wants to see every day.” Congratulations, Patricia!
PHOTO BY ZOLGA_F / ISTOCK / GETTY IMAGES PLUS
2022 BRANDI RIBER PATIENT CARE AND ADVOCACY AWARDEE FRANCES “JADE” VALENCIA, RN, BSN, OCN FCS Lakewood Ranch
