Congratulations 2020 Leadership Award winners!
This story was published in the Winter 2021 issue of The Washington Nurse magazine.
The WSNA Cabinet on Economic and General Welfare recogÂnized this year’s award winners during our virtual WSNA Nurses Unite! event on Nov. 9, 2020. So much has happened since the last LeaderÂship Awards were given in Fall 2017 — and that doesn’t even include the COVID-19 crisis — that the Cabinet gave out two awards in each category. We applaud these incredÂible WSNA union leaders.
Outstanding Local Unit Chair #
Cheryll Howe, MultiÂCare Good SamarÂitan Hospital
Colleen LittleÂjohn, Arbor Health Morton Hospital
This award is presented to someone who is known for the ability to get things done. He/​she/​they leads by example, promoting WSNA to local unit members, potenÂtial members and the commuÂnity around them. Their ability to inspire, mentor and conduct the business of the local unit is unsurpassed.
Cheryll Howe from MultiÂCare Good SamarÂitan Hospital makes sure everyone is ​“in the know,” and she is always availÂable to reply to and discuss union issues. She always tries to recruit more people to help and makes sure that nurses know their rights.
Colleen LittleÂjohn from Arbor Health Morton Hospital has an extraÂorÂdiÂnary ability to organize and lead her fellow nurses. Whether serving on the staffing committee or conferÂence committee, completing grievÂance work or encourÂaging her coworkers to do AssignÂment Despite ObjecÂtion (ADO) forms, Colleen can do it all. She is always there when her fellow nurses need her.
Adversity #
Kadlec Regional Medical Center negotiÂating team
St. Joseph Medical Center Tacoma negotiÂating team
This award is presented to an RN or group of RNs who have faced a particÂuÂlarly diffiÂcult challenge within their workplace, and with persisÂtence, perseÂverÂance and deterÂmiÂnaÂtion have prevailed in their fight for truth and justice.
Both the Kadlec Regional Medical Center and St. Joseph Medical Center negotiÂating teams fought long and hard against huge corpoÂraÂtions. The two teams were willing to stand strong and strike if necesÂsary, and they fought and won fair contracts for their nurses.
Outstanding Negotiating Team #
ProviÂdence Sacred Heart Medical Center
Skagit Regional Health
This award is presented to an outstanding negotiÂating team that fought long and hard to achieve a fair contract for their nurses.
The ProviÂdence Sacred Heart Medical Center negotiÂating team bargained long hours at the table and remained dedicated to keeping the members informed, energized and ready to strike. They organized, strateÂgized and overcame huge obstaÂcles throughout 14 months of negotiÂaÂtions. The Sacred Heart team brought the fight to ProviÂdence and did not back down.
The Skagit Regional Health negotiÂating team faced many challenges and successÂfully fought off changes to retireÂment and health benefits. They worked hard over one year and 20 sessions. One team member even became pregnant and gave birth between the first and last negotiÂating sessions and brought her newborn to the final session.
Outstanding Grievance Officer #
Janet Stewart, St. Joseph Medical Center Tacoma
Diane Gates, Seattle Children’s
This award is presented to an individual who helps nurses in the bargaining unit underÂstand their rights within the contract and effecÂtively repreÂsents the bargaining unit nurses.
Janet Stewart from St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma has raised the bar when it comes to repreÂsenting nurses. She treats each situaÂtion with compasÂsion and competence.
Diane Gates from Seattle Children’s is a true advocate for nurses. She repreÂsents nurses in all situaÂtions with fair-mindedÂness and a steadÂfast approach.
Both Janet and Diane work tirelessly to achieve a just outcome and are well respected by their peers.
Local Unit Star #
Nonie Kingma, ProviÂdence Sacred Heart Medical Center
Kara Yates, Seattle Children’s
This award recogÂnizes a member who stepped forward in the past year to become more involved and make a positive impact.
Nonie Kingma at Sacred Heart is widely recogÂnized as a steady-and-true hand through the rough times of negotiÂaÂtions. She is always helpful and goes the extra mile.
Kara Yates at Seattle Children’s is described by peers as one of the smartest and most well-spoken nurses on the Children’s negotiÂating team, and one whom members turn to for answers.
Nonie and Kara both stepped up in a time of need and went above and beyond the call of duty.
Membership #
Rachael DeSouza, St. Joseph Medical Center Tacoma
Teresa Wren, UniverÂsity of Washington Medical Center
This award recogÂnizes work in develÂoping the local unit through memberÂship recruitÂment, improved commuÂniÂcaÂtions and commuÂnity outreach.
Rachel DeSouza from St. Joseph Medical Center in Tacoma has been instruÂmental in building an engaged and active local unit. She is very dedicated to conducting presenÂtaÂtions to new hires, writing personal postcards to them and organizing member gatherings.
Teresa Wren from UW Medical Center – Montlake is a constant presence at local unit events; her work on the memberÂship committee increased the average recruitÂment of new members by more than 30% through her active engageÂment at new employee orientations.
Emeritus #
Judy Lund, PeaceÂHealth SouthÂwest Medical Center
Debbie Pronk, EvergreenÂHealth
This award is presented to a retired WSNA member who has made a signifÂiÂcant contriÂbuÂtion to their local unit.
Judy Lund from PeaceÂHealth SouthÂwest Medical Center was an advocate for both staff and patients during her 32-year nursing career. Her ability to bring everyone together to work as a team will be missed. Nurses could always count on Judy to be at their side — bringing laughter, smiles, genuine compasÂsion toward staff and excepÂtional patient care with her.
Debbie Pronk from EvergreenÂHealth was a strong advocate for nurses during her 20-year career at Evergreen, including serving as a grievÂance officer for 10 years. The nurses at Evergreen are grateful for her calm and resolute leaderÂship in demanding fair and safe working conditions.
Both Judy and Debbie exhibÂited wisdom and leaderÂship, and inspired, molded, guided and lead new and seasoned nurses throughout their careers.