Fall 2011 - The Washington State Nurses Association

Edna Cortez, Local Unit Chair at Seattle Children's Hospital, speaks during the Local Unit Council
Membership Award
Jeannie Engbrecht
Skagit Valley Hospital
Jeannie is always positive and willing
to help in any way she can to help
strengthen the visibility of WSNA, to help
nurses understand how WSNA impacts
them, and to tell them how they can get
more involved in WSNA. She is very diligent
in her job as membership officer and
goes the extra mile to make sure new RNs
feel welcome at Skagit Valley Hospital,
greeting them with warmth and a ready
smile. She also attends new employee orientation
to share the benefits of belonging
to WSNA and consistently follows up to
be sure new nurses submit their applications
within the 30 day period. She makes
rounds at the hospital with the WSNA
Nurse Representative, sharing news and
listening to what is going on in the specific
units.
Local Unit Outstanding Grievance Officer
Sue Dunlap
Evergreen Hospital Medical Center
Sue has been persistent and diligent in
her representation of grievances. In her
letter of nomination, she was commended
for helping “nurses at Evergreen heal
from wrongful disciplines which caused
emotional, mental, and physical illness.”
The result has been increased trust and
willingness to participate in the Local
Unit among nurses at Evergreen. Sue goes
above and beyond for every nurse she represents,
asking the right questions, showing
attention to detail, and having the ability
to encourage and support peers who
are in stressful and difficult situations.
She has used resources and guidance
from WSNA to help to build strength in
her Local Unit. Her fellow nurses benefit
from her great problem solving skills and
excellent understanding of the contract.
These skills allow her to speak out and
advocate for nurses while encouraging
them to speak up as well.
Rising Star Award
David Hari skagit Valley Hospital
Although he is new to Skagit Valley Hospital
and WSNA, David has already
served as a member of the recent negotiation
team and has assumed the role of
co-membership officer. David has become
the communications officer as well, providing
rapid two-way communication to
and from the team during their stressful
negotiations this year. During their recent
negotiations David was quick to get the
word out to keep nurses informed about
developments as they occurred. As part
of the facility IV team David has access
to nurses throughout the facility. David
has taken a supportive role with new unit
reps, helping them to keep communications
flowing among nurses throughout
the hospital. Having recently retired
from the military David brings a wealth
of experience and a fresh perspective to
his role as a local unit officer. His fellow
officers report that they have already
greatly benefitted from David’s problemsolving
skills.
Rising Star Award
Flicka Arquette Toppenish Hospital
Flicka is the face of WSNA at Toppenish
Hospital, at times being the only officer
in her Local Unit. She is well respected
for consistently offering wisdom, encouragement
and guidance as well as keeping
tabs on issues pertaining to the whole bargaining
unit such as nursing practice and
contract compliance. Flicka exemplifies
true dedication to working in collaboration
with her Nurse Representative to
achieve the outcome desired, safe working
conditions for all nurses and patients
at Toppenish Hospital. In addition to her
work with Toppenish, Flicka has been
very supportive of the Yakima Regional
Hospital nurses, even driving up to walk
the line in informational picketing during
the last negotiations there. Her willingness
to give of herself and her time in
support of other nurses is truly inspiring.
18 | The Washington Nurse | Fall 2011