May 22, 2022
SVSU Department of Nursing recognizes excellence in nursing
The Saginaw Valley State University Department of Nursing celebrated the excellence, dedication and leadership demonstrated by nurses in the Great Lakes Bay Region during the Carleen K. Moore R.N. Nursing Excellence awards ceremony on Tuesday, May 17.
Through the generous support of Terry Moore and his wife Carleen K. Moore, R.N., the awards recognize outstanding nurses from our community in multiple career paths, including clinical bedside nurses, nurse educators, nurses in the community, and nurses in long-term care and rehabilitation facilities.
Carleen K. Moore worked as a licensed practical nurse for almost 15 years before returning to nursing school to become a registered nurse. She then worked in the critical care units at Midland Medical Center before retiring from full-time nursing in 2001. The Moores believe in the importance of recognizing and encouraging nurses who demonstrate excellence in their field, and promoting the reputation of Saginaw Valley State University and the SVSU Nursing Program.
Two SVSU alumni played a lead role in the ceremony. Beth Carlton, president and CEO of Covenant HealthCare and an SVSU alumna, was the guest speaker. Ellen Talbott, president and CEO of McLaren Bay Special Care presented the awards.
Recipients of the 2022 Carleen K. Moore Nursing Excellence Award follow, along with excerpts from their nominations and award presentation.
Acute Care Nursing
- Debra Dutton – director of critical care and progressive care, Covenant HealthCare, Saginaw
- Hailey Jancarik – critical care nurse, surgical intensive care unit, Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital, Saginaw
During the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, Dutton was responsible for leading the patient care team at Covenant. “Deb and her team were responsible to prepare and execute strategies to deliver safe patient care to COVID positive individuals. Deb had an amazing team, but she was the leader demonstrating extraordinary leadership, professionalism and nursing expertise,” said Andrea Frederick, SVSU professor of nursing.
In nominating Jancarik for the award, Jeanette Lambert, nurse manager at Ascension St. Mary’s, said, “If there was a modern-day Florence Nightingale it would be Hailey. She is there by her patients and their families as they make the hardest decisions they will ever need to make. Her empathy is endless.”
- Karrie Mungin – registered nurse, progressive care unit, MyMichigan Health, Midland
- Nicole Maciag – registered nurse, trauma intensive care unit, Ascension St. Mary’s Hospital, Saginaw
“As the lead of the Progressive Care Practice Council she was able to promote evidence-based practice. Her projects include pressure injury prevention, sepsis prevention, and reducing c-diff infections,” said Kourtney Garno, MyMichigan Health nurse manager, in her nomination of Mungin.
“Nicole makes a difference in every patient life that she cares for. During COVID, she was one of the first to step up and work in the COVID ICU. Back then, we had no clue what COVID was, but she dove in headfirst,” said nominator Jeanette Lambert.
- Medical Intensive Care Unit – MyMichigan Health
- Nicole Swanton – registered nurse and emergency preparedness coordinator, Midland Department of Public Health
“At the peak of COVID in the community, the MICU was the COVID ICU in Midland. It is a 14-bed unit where all 14 patients were ventilated COVID positive patients. The nurses stepped up and tackled it all! When the MICU staff were offered an opportunity to cycle out of MICU to a non-COVID ICU, none accepted the offer. The trust, team cohesion and respect for the team became the most important thing,” said nominator Michele Hurd, nurse manager.
Community Nursing
“In May 2020 the area experienced two dam failures. Nicole immediately set the emergency plan into action, helped to set up shelters, pulled together the Emergency Operations Center . . . while her own family was being evacuated. Two weeks after the flooding, she arranged for large scale COVID testing at Dow Diamond for the residents and volunteers that came to Midland County to assist with the flood clean-up. They tested over 2,000 individuals in two days. She coordinated services and provided direct care 24/7,” Frederick said.
Nursing Education
- Patrick Beasley – registered nurse, chair of McLaren Practice, Education and Quality Council, McLaren Bay Region, Bay City
- Flordeliza Escudera-Navelgas – registered nurse, McLaren Bay Special Care, Bay City
“Patrick is described by his co-workers as ‘determined, focused, passionate about the care he provides, consistently demonstrating a style of nursing that is empathetic, and engaged in making a difference for those he is caring for.’ Patrick is an active preceptor for students, graduate nurses and newly hired registered nurses. He demonstrates a professionalism that motivates staff to follow his lead and do what’s best,” said Frederick.
Long-Term Care/Rehab
Escudera-Navelgas is described as a “‘professional, compassionate, caring nurse of 28 years.’ Liza goes out of her way to provide individualized care for her patients. She is quick to establish a rapport and ensures that their special requests and needs are met. She is a strong patient advocate ensuring that the patient’s voice is always heard and that care is provided in a manner that ensures dignity and respect,” said Frederick.