Nevada RNformation - December 2021

Page 20 • Nevada RNformation December 2021, January, February 2022
Nevada Nurses Foundation EST 2014
With a growing population in the state and need for more nurses, especially
nearly a two-year pandemic across our state and the world; highly educated and
skilled nurses are needed more than ever. Nurses need on-going education, such as
advanced degrees and training throughout their career to ensure that all Nevadans
have access to high quality healthcare. On Saturday, October 2, 2021 at 6:00PM,
The Shining Stars of Nursing in Nevada’s Sixth Annual Awards Gala was held at
the Aliante Hotel, Casino, and Spa in North Las Vegas.
The Shining Stars of Nursing in Nevada Awards Gala, presented by the Nevada
Nurses Foundation (NNF), is the ONLY statewide celebratory event honoring
nurses, students, and nursing/healthcare partners.
The NNF is the charitable and philanthropic arm of the Nevada Nurses
Association. Proudly, the NNF after receiving the federal recognition of being a
501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has recognized over 3,000 nurses and awarded
over $160,000 in nursing scholarships and grants throughout the state of Nevada
since 2015.
Dr. Ernest Grant, National President of the American Nurses Association provided
powerful words of inspiration as the evening’s keynote speaker. Dr. Grant became
the 36th president of the American Nurses Association in 2018 and claimed the
title of being the first male in the role. Other dignitaries bringing inspiring greetings
included Nevada State Attorney General Aaron Ford, North Las Vegas Mayor Pro-
Tem Richard Cherchio & Mrs. Cherchio. We are grateful for their support and
attention and interest in Nevada. A big thank you to Mrs. And Mayor Pro-Tem
Chercio for their very generous donation.
Endowed Scholarship Sponsors include: Dr. John & Debra Scott, Margaret &
Ian Curley, Lauren Delameter, Erik Christopherson, Joan & Arvin Operario, Greg
Peistrup, Yvette Wintermute, Front Line Nurse, Margaret Hatton, and the DeLeon-
Gamboa Seeds of Hope. Numerous Legacy Scholarship Sponsors from 2014-2021
were also noted.
From left to right: Joan & Arvin Operario, Kristin Peistrup,
& Elizabeth de Leon Gamboa
The Nevada Nurses Foundation awards and recognitions included:
* Forever Stars in Nursing: Nurses who have passed and will be forever
remembered for their dedicated Nursing service to Nevada and the world. We
cherish them and value their contributions. It is sometimes a challenge to include
all of our recently departed nursing colleagues and appreciate your help in sending
their names, a photo, and copy of their obituary. Their name will be included in our
annual Shining Stars of Nursing in Nevada souvenir program.
From left to right: Veloma Wolfe,
Dr. Ernest Grant, & Elizabeth de Leon Gamboa
Major nursing donors included: Optum Health Systems, Unitek College, College
of Southern Nevada, Carson Tahoe Health, Chamberlain University, Centennial Hills
Hospital member of the United Health System, The Perry Foundation, The Philippine
Nurses Association of Nevada, From 1 Nurse II Another, Volunteers of Medicine
Services in Nevada (Hands Together), and Nightingale College.
* Nevada Rising Stars (Student Nurse Leaders). What an incredible turn out we
had the Shining Stars Student Nurse educational event!
* Shooting Stars (Professional Progression with Advanced Degree/Certification)