01 Apr 2018 Conway Regional nurses earn statewide recognition

Nine registered nurses with Conway Regional Health System have been selected for statewide 2018 Great 100 Nursing recognition.

The Great 100 Nurses Celebration was founded in New Orleans 31 years ago and has since honored thousands of nurses in Louisiana, Oklahoma, North Carolina and Texas. This is the second year the recognition has been given in Arkansas.

“I am proud to say that both years outstanding nurses on our staff have achieved Great 100 recognition. Last year there were four. This year nine of the Great 100 work alongside us at Conway Regional Health System. Some give direct care for our patients; others provide support behind the scenes or leadership in management roles. They all share some common traits: the compassion they have for our patients and the dedication and professionalism they contribute to the nursing profession,” said Matt Troup, Conway Regional’s President and CEO. “I am honored to count myself among those who get to work with these and many other outstanding nurses at Conway Regional every day.”

He added, “I know our honorees would be quick to point out that their recognition could only be possible through the great team they work with every day in areas such as Pharmacy, Environmental Services, Food and Nutrition, Respiratory Therapy, Information Technology, Admissions and countless others.”

An awards program honoring Great 100 Nurses from throughout Arkansas will be held Tuesday, April 10, at the Embassy Suites in Little Rock. 

Recipients of the award at Conway Regional live throughout north central Arkansas:

• Gloria M. Dickson of Morrilton, RN, Conway Regional Rehabilitation Hospital. She has been a nurse since 2008, and began working weekend option at the Rehabilitation Hospital in May 2016. “I like to get my patients up and moving,” said Dickson. “You get to know your patients. They are not defined by the surgery they have had.” 

• Sarah E. Duck of Vilonia, RN, Labor & Delivery. “I have known since I was young that I wanted to take care of people,” said Duck. “I believe that nursing is the career that allows me to live out my faith and gives me the ability and flexibility to be home with my family as much as possible.” Sarah has been with Conway Regional since 1999 and has 20 years of nursing experience.

• Nancy R. Embry of Conway, RN, Lactation Services in Women’s and Infant’s Services. “I have been drawn to nurturing and helping since I was a young girl. I cannot imagine doing much else,” said Embry. She has been at Conway Regional for 11 years.

• Ruth Ann Fisher of Conway, RN, Director of HomeCare Services. Ruth Ann has been a nurse for 22 years, including 16 years with Conway Regional. “I always wanted to do what I could to help others. Home care became my passion when I was in nursing school. That’s when I realized that is where I can make a difference,” said Fisher. “I could help patients manage their illnesses by educating them on how to make lifestyle changes to allow them to live a full and happy life.”

• Suzanne Harris of Conway, RN, Director of Medical/Surgical and Specialty Services at Conway Regional. “Nursing is a calling; it’s a calling to take care of others and to use the talents and gifts one has been given so that people have the care that they need,” said Harris. “I wanted to make a difference in people’s lives – my patients, my families and my employees. Nursing gives me that opportunity every day in multiple ways.” She has been a nurse for 13 years, all at Conway Regional.

• Andrea L. Harrison of Vilonia, RN, Quality and Regulatory Officer for the health system and has responsibility for Quality Resources and Case Management. Andrea has been a nurse for 12 years, including 11 years at Conway Regional.

• Angie E. Longing of Conway, RN, Chief Nursing Officer and VP of Patient Care Services. “I am so humbled to be recognized alongside many other caregivers in the great state of Arkansas. In my 24 years of nursing, I have had the opportunity to work with many nurses and I am still in awe of the dedication and compassion that I witness every day. Nursing is a gift and a calling and I am proud to be a nurse," she said. Longing has worked as a nurse or in management at CHI-St. Vincent Morrilton, CHI-St. Vincent Infirmary/North and at Conway Regional Health System.

• Marilyn B. Minor of Conway, RN, 2 North/Oncology. Marilyn became a nurse because her mother had polio at the age of 20 and was wheelchair-bound for the remainder of her life. “She taught me to be empathetic and sympathetic to others’ needs,” said Minor. “My aunt was a registered nurse as well, and influenced my life greatly.” She been a nurse at Conway Regional for 18 years and been in nursing since 1982. 

• Sindee S. Morse of Clinton, RN, Informatics Nurse Analyst in the Information Services Department. Sindee has been a nurse since 1983 and recently celebrated 10 years at Conway Regional. She realized she wanted to be a nurse while in college at the University of Arkansas Community College at Morrilton. “I knew the first week of school it was going to be hard but the rewards would last a lifetime,” she said. Sindee has worked in Information Services since 2015. In her position, Sindee focusses on project management and assuring processes and workflow are coordinated and in line.

For more information about Great 100 Nursing, visit g100nurses.org .