Dorothy "Dottie" Armens received the top award in the Patient Advocacy category for her efforts to go beyond the call of duty to advocate for patients. In addition, Armens has worked to improve pain management for patients for 25 years through staff and patient education, quality improvement projects and research studies.

Jackie Heinle, nurse manager in the Burn Treatment Center, was a finalist in the Community Service category for her significant professional, voluntary contributions in community-based settings and community outreach efforts. Heinle is especially dedicated to burn injury prevention projects and meeting the special needs of burn patients and their families. Heinle’s daughter, Rochelle, a local emergency medical technician and firefighter who also is a paramedic student, nominated her mother.

A total of 469 candidates received nominations in eight categories across the 12-state region served by NurseWeek’s Great Lakes and Midwest editions. A panel of nursing leaders selected six finalists in each category.

"We are extremely proud of Dottie and Jackie," said Linda Q. Everett, R. N., PhD, associate director and chief nursing officer at UI Hospitals and Clinics. "They certainly deserve this honor, which reflects the high quality of the nursing professionals on our entire staff."

Dorothy "Dottie" Armens

Jackie Heinle

For more information:

2002 NurseWeek Midwest/Great Lakes Region meeting