[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 193 (Wednesday, November 3, 2021)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1187]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]





   RECOGNIZING THE NIGHTINGALE AWARD WINNERS FOR THEIR DEDICATION TO 
                                NURSING

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JASON CROW

                              of colorado

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 3, 2021

  Mr. CROW. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor twelve Colorado nurses 
who have gone above and beyond the call of duty and been recognized by 
the Colorado Nurses Foundation (CNF) with the Nightingale Award for 
working tirelessly to advance the nursing profession, improve quality 
and access to care, and positively impact their communities.
  The CNF has dedicated itself to creating a sustainable health care 
system for our community and the entire state of Colorado. Throughout 
their decades of work, and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, 
they have continued to work tirelessly to advance their vision of a 
more diverse, inclusive, and equitable care environment for Colorado 
nurses and the people they serve. CNF offers scholarships, funds 
research projects, runs educational initiatives, and makes a concerted 
effort to recognize nurses who make a difference in the profession.
  To this end, CNF hosts the Nightingale Gala each year to recognize 
pioneers in nursing from across the state who have continuously pushed 
the boundaries of their profession. This year, the Foundation 
recognized twelve exemplary nurses who went to great lengths to serve 
their community by finding innovative solutions to problems like 
expanding telehealth, combatting sexual assault, and large-scale 
vaccine administration.
  These nurses made a profound difference in our community, and I am 
proud to recognize the twelve Nightingale Award winners:
  Jenifer Bartel, RN, BSN from Parkview Medical Center
  Kathy Casey, RN, PHD from Denver Health
  Jennifer Coffman, RN, MSN, JD from Children's Hospital Colorado
  Christina Denton, RN MSN from UC Health
  Amy Dreher, RN, BSN, MPH from Falcon School District 49
  Brian Fun, RN, BSN from Denver Health Medical Center
  Catherine Kleiner, RN, PhD from Children's Hospital Colorado
  Stacey Kreil, RN, DNP from Centura-Penrose-St. Francis Health 
Services
  Dixie Melton, RN, MSN from Centura Health Ignacio Family Medicine
  Laura Sandoval-Adams, RN, BSN from Parkview Health System
  Rosalyn Walker, RN, MSN from Centura Health St. Thomas More Hospital
  Lori Wightman, RN, DNP from SCL Health.
  The work and sacrifice by nurses in our community has taken on a 
whole new meaning these past few years. From twelve-hour shifts, to 
being forced to isolate from loved ones--nurses have held our community 
together while enduring enormous personal costs. Still, these nurses 
have overcome seemingly insurmountable challenges to pioneer 
breakthroughs in their profession.
  Our community is forever indebted to these heroes, and I am honored 
to have the opportunity to recognize the twelve Nightingale Award 
winners as well as thank the Colorado Nurses Foundation for their 
dedication to advancing the nursing profession and keeping our 
community healthy and safe.

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