Bothwell Recognizes Staff During National Nurses Week
Bothwell Regional Health Center celebrated National Nurses Week by recognizing nominees and presenting its Nurse of the Year and Nursing Support Staff of the Year awards on May 9 at the annual Nurse Award ceremony.
National Nurses Week is celebrated May 6-12 to honor the contributions of nurses across the globe. Bothwell’s 2025 theme was "Courage to Soar," highlighting the strength, resilience and dedication that nurses and support staff demonstrate each day in caring for patients, supporting their peers and lifting the community.
Nominees for Nurse of the Year must be a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Registered Nurse (RN) who has worked at Bothwell for at least one year. Nominees for Nursing Support Staff of the Year are unlicensed patient support staff who also have at least one year of service and work in any nursing department. Both award recipients are nominated by peers for providing compassionate care and service excellence.
Christina Zimmerman, a registered nurse in Radiation Oncology, is Bothwell’s 2025 Nurse of the Year. Her nominator described Zimmerman as a dedicated caregiver who brings a sense of community to both patients and colleagues.
“Christina truly listens to every patient and their families from the first to the last day they are with us,” the nominator said. “She takes extra time to explain care plans and is always calm and thorough. She brings joy to those around her and has a memory for each patient’s personal story. She makes every patient feel like they are her favorite. Recently, her quick actions helped save a patient’s life when she recognized stroke symptoms and initiated a rapid response. We are lucky to have her on our team.”
Nominees for Nurse of the Year included Kristen McCullough, 2 Southwest; Brittani Geml, Bothwell Family Health; Becky Eldenburg, Education; Christina Oelrichs, Women’s Health and Newborn Care; Tabbitha May, Bothwell Eldenburg Family Practice; Patty King, Bothwell OB/GYN Associates; Alyson Wilson, Critical Care Unit; and Kristina Kresse, Emergency Department.
Ashley Atkinson, receptionist at Bothwell Susan O'Brien Fischer Cancer Center, received the 2025 Nursing Support Staff of the Year award. Known for her ability to foster a welcoming and safe environment, Atkinson is often the first and last face patients see when they visit.
“Ashley provides a non-judgmental, caring space and is always looking for ways to brighten the clinic, whether it’s decorating for the seasons or volunteering at fundraisers,” her nominator said. “Even during tense situations, like when an unruly patient entered the clinic, Ashley remained calm, de-escalated the situation and kept everyone safe. She’s able to juggle many tasks while remaining approachable and professional, and she’s built trusting relationships with patients who return regularly. She brings joy to every patient who visits.”
Additional nominees for Nursing Support Staff of the Year included Michele Potts, Women’s Health and Newborn Care; Rimma Listratenko, 2 Southwest; Mary Thomas Black, Bothwell Eldenburg Family Practice; Trudy Clawson, Bothwell Health Center-Truman Lake; Lynne Reed, Bothwell Family Medicine Associates; Heidi Rivera Alejandro, Women’s Health and Newborn Care; and Debbie Williams, Emergency Department.
Michele Laas, Bothwell’s chief nursing officer, presented the awards and expressed appreciation for the entire nursing staff.
“Our nurses and support staff show up with courage in everything they do,” Laas said. “They care deeply for their patients, stand beside their teammates and never stop looking for ways to make things better. They are the heart of our hospital, and it’s one of the many reasons I believe Bothwell is the best place to work and care for patients.”
Bothwell employs nearly 400 nursing professionals across its hospital and clinics, including nurse practitioners, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, certified nurse assistants, constant observers, ED care techs and ward clerks.
Photo cutline: Bothwell Regional Health Center honored nursing staff at its annual Nurse Awards ceremony. From left, Christina Zimmerman, Nurse of the Year; Director of Oncology Services Kara Sheeley; and Ashley Atkinson, Nursing Support Staff of the Year.
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