Two Baywood nurses named as finalists in Nurses of the Year Awards

MESA, Ariz. (July 22, 2008) -- Two Banner Baywood Medical Center nurses have been named as finalists in the March of Dimes Arizona Nurses of the Year Awards.

Mary Ellen Walker, clinical educator on the progressive care unit, was nominated for Mentoring. Laurel J. Horken, a staff nurse, was nominated for the Patient Care category. The two will be honored at an awards dinner in August.

They will join six other Banner Health employees as finalists: Jacqueline A. Keuth, Ann Earhart, Nicole I. Jones, Emily Botsios, Tamara D. Whitmer and Marjorie Ann Ament.

The fifth annual “Nurses of the Year Awards Gala” is an elegant evening affair to recognize outstanding nurses throughout Arizona. The event funds scholarships at Arizona nursing colleges and benefits the March of Dimes mission of preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality.

The awards dinner and silent auction will be Saturday, Aug. 23 at the Westin Kierland Resort and Spa, 6902 E. Greenway Parkway in Scottsdale. Tickets are $150. Call 602-287-9936 for information.