The award recognizes nursing excellence and was presented to Laura at the annual meeting in Fort Lauderdale, May 23. Selection is based on the nurse’s significant contribution to the health and well being of the pediatric surgical patient.

Phearman coordinates discharge planning and teaching for pediatric surgery patients and their families. She educates pediatric nurses by presenting in-services, orientation lectures, and developing educational materials.

Phearman was nominated for this award by surgeons Anthony Sandler, MD, Robert Soper, MD, John Lawrence, MD, John Meehan, MD, and James Hopkins, MD, of University of Iowa Children's Hospital.

In her nomination letter, the surgeons wrote, "The functioning of the pediatric surgery service at University of Iowa Children's Hospital is dependent on Ms. Phearman. She organizes, and in fact "runs" our pediatric surgical service. She is dedicated to the care of our patients and serves not only as the nurse specialist to pediatric surgical patients, but also as a friend, educator, and guidance counselor to their families. Phearman’s telephone line is always open to every whim and need of our patients. We believe that patients and their families at University of Iowa Children's Hospital receive superior care not entirely as a result of the quality of care we as pediatric surgeons provide, but also from the selfless dedication of Laura Phearman."

Phearman has been part of University of Iowa Health Care since August 1978. She has experience in pediatric otolaryngology, oral surgery, ophthalmology, and burn reconstruction. She has been in her current position since 1985.

The American Pediatric Surgical Nurses Association was officially founded in Colorado in May 1992, with the support of the American Pediatric Surgical Association. The aim of the organization is to develop a forum to support the practice of pediatric surgical nurses through education, networking, and mentoring. The Association created the Founders Award to recognize the unique vision of the founding nurses.