complete issue - School of Nursing - University of Pittsburgh

Cameos of CaringA Celebration of NursingSince 1999, the University of Pittsburgh School ofNursing has honored outstanding nurses in Pittsburghand its surrounding areas at the Cameos of CaringAwards Gala. Nearly 1,200 guests filled the David L.Lawrence Convention Center on October 1, 2005,when 42 nurses were recognized as 2005 Cameos ofCaring awardees.The Cameos of Caring awardees represent nursing’sfinest and have unique experiences to share:Alma Decker, RN, of LifeCare Hospital of Pittsburgh,owned and operated a beauty shop for 20 years andcultivated warm friendships with her clients. She says,“Watching many of them grow older and have to deal withillness ... I saw their independence and dignity slip away.I knew I helped in a small way just by listening to themexpress their frustrations, but I wanted to make a biggerdifference in their lives. I decided to become a nurse.”Juliana Piazza, RN, of West Penn Allegheny HealthSystem, Canonsburg General Hospital, spent a year inan office performing clerical work and decided it justwasn’t for her. She went into nursing because she sawhow satisfied and excited her sister was with her nursingcareer. Piazza says, “Twenty-eight years later, she and Iboth still work full time” as nurses.Scott D. Smith, RN, of UPMC Northwest, is not yourtraditional nurse. He was a physical therapist andfuneral director prior to becoming a registered nursewith UPMC Northwest/Visiting Nurse Association. Smithsays, “I had always enjoyed helping people in my previouscareers ... so the transition to nursing was a logical,gratifying choice.”Debra K. Zeak, RN, of West Penn Allegheny HealthSystem, The Western Pennsylvania Hospital, knew fromthe time she was 5 she wanted to be a nurse. She wouldmodel her nurse’s outfit and claims, “No one in the houseescaped my thorough examination and ‘pretend’ shot.”The proceeds from the gala benefit the Cameos of CaringEndowed Nursing Scholarship, designed for RNs to earnan advanced degree: RN –BSN, RN–MSN, master’s, or doctoral.This year, $95,000 was raised for the scholarshipfund, and 12 students—the largest field to date—received financial assistance.The event continues to grow within the local areaand across state lines. The Ohio State University, theUniversity of Akron, and Wright State University haveestablished their own Cameos of Caring programs.As more and more institutions, hospitals, and healthsystems join the Cameos of Caring family, its messageis positively impacting the future of nursing.In 2005, four Pitt nursinggraduates received Cameosof Caring awards:Mary Beth Kissler, BSN ’91, CNRNUPMC PresbyterianEugene J. Lewis, BSN ’95, MSN ’99,CRNP/ACNP-CVA Pittsburgh Healthcare System,Heinz DivisionMichael F. McSteen, BSN ’91, MBA, CCRNChildren’s Hospital of Pittsburghof UPMCJudith Zedreck (BSN ’79), vice presidentand CNO of West Penn Allegheny HealthSystem, Allegheny General Hospital, presentsa Cameos of Caring Award to AdvancedPractice Awardee Ann Vioral.U.S. Congressman Tim Murphy with 2005 Cameos of Caring Awards Gala Mistress ofCeremonies Marilyn Brooks, Dean Jacqueline Dunbar-Jacob, and Pennsylvania SenatorJay Costa Jr.A special thank you to our event sponsors:University of Pittsburgh Medical Center • Center for Organ Recovery and Education • Johnson & Johnson •Cerner Corporation • STAT StaffingPeggy Yarnall Nikolajski, RN,MSN ’90, CRNPUPMC St. Margaret36 u n i v e r s i t y o f p i t t s b u r g h