The 2018 Outstanding Nurses, at the awards ceremony. Photo credit: Mpls. St.Paul Magazine; Adam Bettcher, photographer
2018 Outstanding Nurses Awards winners
Open up the December 2018 issue of and you will find the annual Outstanding Nurses Awards winners. These awards, judged based on nominations shared by the public and the medical community, recognize 17 nurses who are making a significant impact in patient care, both in clinic and hospital settings, and the field of nursing in the Twin Cities and surrounding areas.
It shouldn't come as a surprise, then, to learn that nearly one-third of the winners listed are either Katies or faculty. They were recognized, along with the other honorees, at an event hosted by the magazine on August 7, 2018. Read on to learn more about these remarkable professionals – and join us in congratulating each of them for her dedication to her life's work.
Jocelyn Bessette Gorlin, PhD, MSN, CPNP, winner in teaching
An assistant professor at the Henrietta Schmoll School of Health, Jocelyn spent the first part of her career as a national leader and researcher in pediatric hematology. Then, eight years ago, she studied for her PhD in order to teach the next generation of nurses. Her instruction encourages students to ask questions, and seek their answers through research – a powerful combination that not only builds self-confidence in her students but also helps them connect with the importance of their role as a health care team member.
Jill May '88, RN, BSN, OCN, winner in cancer care
As a Cancer Care Coordinator in the Virginia Piper Cancer Institution at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, Jill is a tireless advocate for her patients. From helping patient families understand their care options to developing strategies that will help her patients receive the best care, her patient advocacy is her mark of distinction.
Natalie Wilson '05, RN, BSN, CPLC, winner in intensive care
Natalie’s work as RN Care Coordinator in Neonatal Intensive Care at Children’s MN is the culmination of a lifelong mission to work with sick babies. It’s a career path that has bloomed over the years to not just help patient families in the hospital but also support the first pediatric respite and hospice home to be built in the Midwest.
Kristin Lau '11, PHN, RN, CLE, winner in public health
Within Ramsey County Public Health, Kristin keeps busy in the Nurse Family Partnership program, visiting first-time mothers in their homes and working with them from pregnancy until the child is 2 years old. She fosters supportive relationships with each mother, drawing as much inspiration from them as they do from her example.
Marie Cook '79, APRN, CNP-Pediatric, MPH, CCTS, winner in advanced practice
Marie, a Pediatric Transplant Clinical Operations Manager at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital, first became interested in kidney disease, diabetes, and transplant as a college nursing student. That interest honed over time to pediatrics, and she now works on behalf of young patients battling conditions such as chronic pancreatitis.