2012 Excellence in Nursing Award Winners

TriHealth presented four nurses with the 2012 Excellence in Nursing Award as part of Nurses' Week. Winners were selected as role models among their peers for demonstrating the characteristics of a nursing professional: independent judgement and expertise, specialized knowledge and life-long learning, commitment to patients and community, and involvement in professional organizations. These attributes contribute to a culture of excellence at TriHealth that focuses on helping people live better.

Winners
Pam Erpenbeck, RN \| Good Samaritan Hospital \| Good Samaritan Western Ridge As a staff nurse in the Emergency Departments at TriHealth's Good Samaritan Hospital and Good Samaritan Western Ridge, Erpenbeck fulfills roles as caregiver, educator and coordinator. As her director says, “Pam has achieved a level of training, certification and involvement seen by few of her peers.” One important role to which she has devoted great energy is coordinating care with EMS squads in the field to achieve the most seamless transition possible for patients being transported from ambulance to emergency room. Tom Dietz, District Chief of EMS, comments, “If something is happening in this area’s EMS community, Pam is involved. When I need an opinion regarding an EMS issue, Pam is the first person I call.” In the community, Erpenbeck is frequently seen volunteering at local church and community festivals. She provides on-site education to multiple community organizations.
Marilyn Farrow BSN, RN \| Good Samaritan Hospital As one of her peers wrote, “Marilyn is always caring, respectful and professional. She has a kind, quiet voice, which is reassuring to her patients. Marilyn is well-organized and moves her patients through the recovery process in a timely manner and with excellent care. “ Farrow’s director adds, “Positive patient outcomes are at the core of her care. As a leader, Marilyn inspires confidence and respect in herself and others. She provides a top–level experience to students she mentors.” In the Harrison community, Farrow devotes numerous hours to working with the East Central High School band, including helping to organize band camps and coordinating a first aid booth during competitions.
Michele Huff RN, CMSRN \| Bethesda North Hospital Huff’s director notes her untiring efforts to engage the medical-surgical nursing staff in making improvements and providing outstanding care for patients. “Michele is a role model and mentor for many new grads and new team members. She is proficient as a charge nurse and is an expert in her roles and responsibilities. Staff members look to her for guidance in their daily practice.” In the community, Huff assists with vision, hearing, BMI and scoliosis screenings for students at Holmes and Amity Elementary schools and Deer Park Junior High School. She also volunteers at Mary Queen of Reading lending library.
Deborah Schreiner RNC-OB \| Bethesda North Hospital Schreiner’s director lists multiple reasons why she deserves the award: “Deb’s love and enthusiasm for the nursing profession is demonstrated each day with her positive attitude toward work. Deb’s name comes to mind when one thinks of ‘patient advocate.’ Her focus is on the best care for mother and baby.” Schreiner’s Inpatient Obstetric Certification encompasses knowledge of caring for a woman from before conception to six weeks after the baby’s birth, as well as care of the baby from conception to six weeks postpartum. Her director notes, “Deb’s peers have high respect for her clinical knowledge and seek her out to answer questions or help with unfamiliar procedures.” In the community, Schreiner is involved with her church’s Vacation Bible School program. She traveled to Nicaragua on a medical mission trip last year and will go to Monterrey, Mexico, this year with her church. When recent tornadoes hit the Moscow, Ohio, community, Schreiner organized a baby shower to provide needed baby items and cash to the recovering community members.

Winners

Pam Erpenbeck, RN | Good Samaritan Hospital | Good Samaritan Western Ridge

As a staff nurse in the Emergency Departments at TriHealth's Good Samaritan Hospital and Good Samaritan Western Ridge, Erpenbeck fulfills roles as caregiver, educator and coordinator. As her director says, “Pam has achieved a level of training, certification and involvement seen by few of her peers.”

One important role to which she has devoted great energy is coordinating care with EMS squads in the field to achieve the most seamless transition possible for patients being transported from ambulance to emergency room. Tom Dietz, District Chief of EMS, comments, “If something is happening in this area’s EMS community, Pam is involved. When I need an opinion regarding an EMS issue, Pam is the first person I call.”

In the community, Erpenbeck is frequently seen volunteering at local church and community festivals. She provides on-site education to multiple community organizations.

Marilyn Farrow BSN, RN | Good Samaritan Hospital

As one of her peers wrote, “Marilyn is always caring, respectful and professional. She has a kind, quiet voice, which is reassuring to her patients. Marilyn is well-organized and moves her patients through the recovery process in a timely manner and with excellent care. “

Farrow’s director adds, “Positive patient outcomes are at the core of her care. As a leader, Marilyn inspires confidence and respect in herself and others. She provides a top–level experience to students she mentors.”

In the Harrison community, Farrow devotes numerous hours to working with the East Central High School band, including helping to organize band camps and coordinating a first aid booth during competitions.

Michele Huff RN, CMSRN | Bethesda North Hospital

Huff’s director notes her untiring efforts to engage the medical-surgical nursing staff in making improvements and providing outstanding care for patients. “Michele is a role model and mentor for many new grads and new team members. She is proficient as a charge nurse and is an expert in her roles and responsibilities. Staff members look to her for guidance in their daily practice.”

In the community, Huff assists with vision, hearing, BMI and scoliosis screenings for students at Holmes and Amity Elementary schools and Deer Park Junior High School. She also volunteers at Mary Queen of Reading lending library.

Deborah Schreiner RNC-OB | Bethesda North Hospital

Schreiner’s director lists multiple reasons why she deserves the award: “Deb’s love and enthusiasm for the nursing profession is demonstrated each day with her positive attitude toward work. Deb’s name comes to mind when one thinks of ‘patient advocate.’ Her focus is on the best care for mother and baby.”

Schreiner’s Inpatient Obstetric Certification encompasses knowledge of caring for a woman from before conception to six weeks after the baby’s birth, as well as care of the baby from conception to six weeks postpartum. Her director notes, “Deb’s peers have high respect for her clinical knowledge and seek her out to answer questions or help with unfamiliar procedures.”

In the community, Schreiner is involved with her church’s Vacation Bible School program. She traveled to Nicaragua on a medical mission trip last year and will go to Monterrey, Mexico, this year with her church. When recent tornadoes hit the Moscow, Ohio, community, Schreiner organized a baby shower to provide needed baby items and cash to the recovering community members.

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