Our Great 100 were honored by their Mission peers at a recent reception. They will join 91 other honorees at a formal gala at the Joseph F. Koury Convention Center in Greensboro on September 27.

Larry BorelliLarry Borrelli, RN, MS, Staff Development Coordinator, Clinical Support & Development, began his career at Mission Hospital as a staff nurse in Coli Critical Care.

He has served as the past co-chair of the Restraint Committee and currently works with various hospital committees to ensure that nursing orientation content is up-to-date.

He received his bachelor's degree from Pace University in New York, and an MS in nursing from SUNY Brockport.

"A career in nursing provides a unique path of human service as well as a path of self-discovery for those who are clear about their motivations, and who have a realistic perspective about the profession," says Borrelli. " Within the profession, there are many opportunities for learning, growing,and �branching out'" in new directions. It's never too late to consider a career in nursing.

"For me nursing was a �calling' that came to me in my senior year of college after considering other health careers. I believe the choices we make in life always have a purpose. So, it was no accident that I became a nurse even though I had uncertainties along the way. I couldn't imagine being or doing anything else for work, even though other options are out there. This award makes me feel that what I do and how I do it has value, and to an aging baby boomer like me, this is extremely important and satisfying!" Suzanne EngleSuzanne Engel, BSN, MS in Midwifery, RNC, of Clinical Support and Development, began her career at Mission in 1989 as a staff nurse in Labor and Delivery. In 2006 she began working as the Perinatal Clinical Nurse Specialist.

She currently serves on the Women's and Children's Service line committee, the OB Provider Committee, the Women's QI committee, the Perinatal Empowerment Committee, Education Council, Magnet Marketing and Communication Committee and Nursing Practice Council and the AHA Training Center Committee. She previously served on the ICIS Babies Committee (Cerner Documentation for Perinatal Areas), ICIS Fringes Perioperative Documentation Committee, and the Council of Operative Procedures (COPC).

Engle holds a BA in Religious Studies from Rosary Hill College, Buffalo NY; an LPN from Emily Griffith Opportunity School, Denver, CO; BSN from D'Youville College in Buffalo, Ny; a certifcate in Midwifery from Frontier School of Nursing and Midwifery in Hyden, KY; and an MS in Midwifery from Philadelphia University in Philadelphia, PA. She was inducted in Sigma Theta Tau in 1984.

"Nursing is a great career," says Engle. "It has been the most rewarding professional work that I have done in life. If you are at all interested in a career in the health field and also love working one on one with people, consider nursing. The nursing field has one of the most diverse areas that a person can specialize in. Wherever you go on this planet, nurses are needed.

"This is a great honor for me. I have never regretted becoming a nurse and was very happy to have found my nursing niche in women's health. I have loved working with women in the birthing process and now enjoy my work as the clinical nurse specialist in the perinatal area. Nurses do so much for people in their community, their state, their country and in the world. It is great to be recognized for the work that I have done for the women and nurses in this community." Craig HarrisCraig Harris RN, BSN, MPH, Manager,CVICU/CVRU.

Harris began his career in 2003 at Mission as manager of CVICU and in 2005 also assumed the manager role for CVRU. He serves on Magnet Force 4 & 5 (development of the Professional Education Achievement and Recognition Program), Adult ICU/Progressive Care Workgroup. In 2001 he received the Vivian L. Deitz Award for Distinguished WCU Nursing Program Alumnus.

"If you cannot commit to keeping patients and families first in your nursing career, then it is not the career for you," says Harris. "I believe that God uses me in service to others and Him through my career in nursing. Because of nursing, I have been able to touch the lives of many at a crucial time in their lives. Just being nominated for this award is an honor - to be regarded so highly by my peers. If your motivation is not to serve people and advocate for patients and their families, this is not the career for you."

Mary Etta HartwickMary Etta Hartwick, RN, MS, OCN, CCRP, is an oncology research nurse at Mission. She serves as the Cancer Leadership Chairperson and is a member of the Cancer Survivorship Committee.

Hartwick holds a BSN from Nazareth College and a master's degree from the University of Maryland. She joined the Mission team in 1993 as a staff nurse in outpatient oncology.

"Nursing is a win-win profession. You can help people in their time of need and then receive personal satisfaction for providing them care," says Hartwick. "I work with so many gifted and talented people that I am humbled by the honor to have been chosen for this award. Nursing is a wonderful profession because as I age, I learn more about oncology nursing and life in general. By being more experienced I can better care for my patients. That is a good feeling."

Jackie HoutmanJacqueline Houtman, RN, C, MA, OCN, is an oncology staff nurse on Mission's Oncology Unit.

She holds an associate's degree in nursing from the Eastbourne School of Nursing, England; and both bachelor of science and a masters in Applied Social Sciences degree from Binghamton University. She was honored as a Value Inspired Person in 1975 and as an Honored Nurse NYSNA in 2004.

"Accept the challenge that learning is on a continuum; each new day as a nurse must be perceived as an adventure," says Houtman. "Whichever field of nursing you pursue, set your goal to succeed.

"�Find your niche and be true to yourself, and aim always to do the �right thing.' This recognition can only be accepted as a testament to the shared commitment of our oncology nurses and co-workers on the 10th floor. Nurses seldom stand alone. Each one of us will become the nurse we aspire to be when we attest to the immeasurable legacy our cancer patients and families bestow upon us; their gift of courage is awesome, and our constant source of inspiration."

Bonnie OliverBonnie Oliver, RN, BSN, of 6 North Adult Medicine, joined Mission as a charge nurse on 6N St. Joseph in 1978. She has served as head nurse on 6N, and for many years as a critical care nurse in Coli ICU. She was director of ACLS at St. Joseph's and now serves as director for Mission's ACLS program. She is a preceptor of critical care and has served on Misson's Policy & Procedure Committee for 14 years. She is also on the Restraint Committee. She serves on the AHA Training Center faculty for ACLS and instructor for BCLS and ACLS. She has received numerous awards throughout her career and served on many nursing committees and teams.

Oliver holds a BSN from Hunter College-Bellevue School of Nursing in NYC.

"Nursing is a field where you can touch the lives of so many people in our community in so many ways that it opens up your heart for giving to others your compassion and caring for a diverse human race," says Oliver.

"You can also instill an eagerness in fellow staff, whether they are a nurse aide or another RN, to further their caring compassion and pursue a higher degree in nursing.

"My 30 year career here at Mission, on the St. Joseph campus, has been very diverse and so rewarding but this honor sums up the highest culmination of my career. As a younger generation of nurses enter into this field, it is your love and compassion for others that will bring you your greatest achievements." Sheila RadcliffSheila S. Radcliff BSN, RN, Trauma Nurse Clinician/Case Manager of Trauma Services, was recently named director of Emergency Services at Mission Hospial.

Since joining Mission in 1976, Radcliff has been a staff/charge nurse in ICU, assistant head nurse in Stepdown, director of CVICU, ED staff nurse and nurse clinician, and MAMA flight nurse. She has served on multiple nursing committees over the years.

She holds an associates degree in nursing from AB Tech, and a BSN from Winston-Salem State University.

"Nursing is a rewarding career offering many opportunities. Every day offers a new learning experience!" Mary RichardMary P. Richard, BSN, RN, BC, ASCM-ES, is Director of Mission's Heart Path program. She joined Mission in 1990 as a staff nurse on 5 Stepdown and joined Heart Path in 1991. She is a member of the CHF Committee, the Nursing Quality Council, the Outpatient Ambulatory Committee, MAHEC's Regional Advisory Committee, and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau Nursing Honor Society.

Richard earned her BSN from the University of Florida.

"Nursing is a profession where a person is always learning - new procedures, new treatments - to keep current with standards of care. And that the energy and time you put into the career will come back to you ten-fold from the people that you come in contact with every day. The people that you will take care of will make it all worthwhile. That is what will keep you going at the end of the day and make you come back the next day."

Olaf SnyderOlaf Snyder, RN, 4S Orthopedics, staff nurse, joined Mission as a staff nurse in NTICU. He holds a bachelor's degree from Tabor College and a BSN from Wichita State University.

"I believe it is an ideal way to live out your beliefs and values if your goals are to help others, to relieve discomfort, to improve the lives and health of humankind," says Snyder. "You can find a job almost anywhere, any time of day, any day of the week, taking care of people of all ages, with any possible condition. There is much variety and many, many possibilities and choices in Nursing. When I walk out the door of the hospital at night, I have a sense of satisfaction that I did something worthwhile that day. I feel very honored and grateful for being selected. It means I want to continue trying to be the best nurse I can be, to assist folks as best as I can, to make wise use of my time here at work, to give 100% to my patients. It is one way you can truly serve God in your daily work."

Other Great 100 Nurses honored from our area include Cindy Benton, formerly of Mission Neurosciences, and Lynn Blythe of Pardee Memorial Hospital.

(Images provided by Mission Hospital.)

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