Colleagues Honored During National Nurses Week
May 13, 2025
St. Mary’s Chief Administrative Officer Timothy Layman shared his pride in the care provided by the nursing staff. “Nursing is more than a profession. It’s a calling, grounded in compassion and service. Our nurses embody that commitment every day, delivering exceptional care to our patients and supporting the health of our communities. We are deeply grateful for their unwavering dedication, hard work and the profound impact they make,” he said.
On Friday of National Nurses Week, St. Mary’s hosted the annual Nursing Exemplar Awards Ceremony. Nominations for various nursing awards were submitted by colleagues, physicians, leaders and others to highlight the above and beyond work of individuals who pursue excellence in their nursing role. Below is the full list of winners from Friday’s ceremony.
Rookie of the Year
- Shannon Summers, RN in the Emergency Department
- Bailey Bloomfield, RN in the Emergency Department
- Lacey Barnes, Staffing Facilitator in Nursing Administration
- Michelle Morris, Patient Care Assistant II in the ICU
- Patty Howard, Health Clerk in the Emergency Department
- Tessa Morr, RN, Team Lead on the Med/Surg Unit
- Cathy Stephens, RN on the Med/Surg Unit
HSHS Nursing Team of the Year
The St. Mary’s Hospital Emergency Department (ED) was honored as the first nursing to team to receive the HSHS Nursing Team of the Year award. The ED’s “left without being seen” percentage made significant improvements over the past year and is consistently meeting the goal of less than 1%.
“I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the St. Mary’s Emergency Department nursing team for their outstanding commitment to improving patient care,” said Kathy Donovan, HSHS Senior Vice President and Chief Operations Officer. “Their innovative approach, dedication to collaboration and relentless drive to create a better patient experience exemplifies the very best of nursing leadership and teamwork. We’re incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved."
Following in the footsteps of our founding Hospital Sisters for 150 years
This year is the 150th anniversary of the arrival of our founding Hospital Sisters of St. Francis in the United States. Accepting an invitation from Bishop Peter Baltes, Diocese of Alton, Illinois, 20 Sisters from Germany arrived in the U.S. on November 3, 1875. In addition to Alton, he sent small groups to Springfield, Belleville, Effingham, East St. Louis, and Litchfield. They learned English, introduced themselves to the people of the area, and began nursing care. Hospital Sisters Health System evolved from these humble beginnings and is now serving communities across Southern and Central Illinois and Eastern Wisconsin.
“The Mission of our founding Hospital Sisters is in our hands to carry forth,” Layman said. “Please join me and the St. Mary’s leadership team in thanking these dedicated health professionals whose skill, care and commitment to excellence makes a difference in all our lives.”
Photo Caption:
(Top Right) Cathy Stephens, RN (center) is presented with the Excellence in Nursing Award at the 2025 HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Nursing Exemplar Awards by Chief Administrative Officer Tim Layman (left) and Nursing Educator Kim Menges, RN (right).
Media Contact
Andrew Dilbeck
Communications & Public Relations Specialist
Nominees and Winners -- HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital leaders pose with 2025 Nursing Exemplar Award nominees and winners. Awards were presented for Rookie of the Year, Preceptor of the Year, Partners in Nursing, Nurse Leader of the Year, and Excellence in Nursing.
Nursing Team of the Year -- HSHS leaders present the HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital Emergency Department with inaugural HSHS Nursing Team of the Year Award.