Kudos

Nikki Kneflin, BSN, RNIII, CPN, received the Excellence in Nursing Leadership Award (formerly the Burton R. Pease Award) during National Nurses Week. Kneflin has 14 years’ experience as a direct care nurse in the Specialty Resource Unit and a long history of serving on various committees, including Shared Governance, the Magnet Steering Team, the Safety Operations Committee and Serious Harm Collaborative. She is currently chair of the Nursing Profession Coordinating Council (NPCC), representing the voice of nursing internally and externally, e.g., Solutions for Patient Safety.

Kneflin provides insights into the needs of nurses for care delivery and offers the nursing perspective in resolving system-wide issues or the roll-out of new initiatives, according to Christy Miller, PhD, RN, clinical program manager, Center for Professional Excellence. “Under Nikki’s leadership, the NPCC has developed a council goal to standardize one process within each nursing cluster this fiscal year. Her understanding of alignment between the organization’s vision, mission and strategic plan is critical in her role as the clinical leader for nursing at Cincinnati Children’s.”

Melissa Bubash Williams, BSN, RNII, CPN, was named the B. Robison-Sporck Nursing Award winner during National Nurses Week. The award recognizes excellence in the provision of direct nursing care. Bubash Williams is an RN in the Specialty Resource Unit, where she is expertly trained across 17 different inpatient units, including all three Intensive Care Units and the Emergency Department. She is also a Trauma Core nurse, chair of the SRU Coordinating Council, a preceptor and a Cincinnati Children’s ambassador.

“Not only is she fabulous at helping to manage the inpatient population, but she is an extremely strong trauma RN in the bay,” said one of her nurse practitioner colleagues. “The Trauma Team would not be as strong without her.”

Said Andrew Smith, MSN, RN, CPN, clinical manager, Specialty Resource Unit, “Melissa is nothing short of spectacular. Her level of passion and commitment to the nursing profession and the SRU is unwavering. Having the opportunity to work with such an outstanding nursing professional makes me a better nurse myself.”

Kathleen McGee, DNP, a nurse practitioner in Neurology, received one of only four Safety and Quality Awards given out annually by the American Academy of Neurology. The award was presented at the AAN’s annual conference in Vancouver in April. McGee’s submission was her doctoral project, called “Restructuring Interdisciplinary Rounds on a Pediatric Neurology Unit to Improve Communication, Collaboration and Patient Safety.” The project has changed the way Neurology rounds are conducted on A7 North and South. Rounds now begin with the patient’s nurse going over a sheet filled out overnight raising any parental or nursing concerns. The project has significantly increased nursing presence on rounds, making them safer and more collaborative for families, nurses and physicians.

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