SUPER STAR AWARD SUSPENDED DURING TIME OF UNPRECEDENTED ECONOMIC NEED
In order to continue to meet the pressing--and ever expanding--direct service needs of Chicago's underserved during these times of economic crisis, the VNA Board of Directors has made the difficult decision to suspend, until further notice, its Super Star in Community Nursing Award.
Although the VNA Foundation's desire to promote and support the role of nursing in the community is as great as ever, circumstances forced prioritization of needs. After extended discussion and review, the board felt compelled to direct all available dollars directly to its partner grantee agencies addressing the unmet health needs of needy Chicagoans, thereby fulfilling the Foundation's primary mission during a period when its assistance may be needed more than any other time in its history as a foundation.
Rising uninsurance rates, dwindling endowments and dire need compelled the board to its decision. Funds that have in the past supported the Super Star Award and its administration will now be used for additional grant funding to agencies that offer home and community-based healthcare to Chicago's most needy medically underserved communities.
VNA initiated the Super Star Award in 2002. Since its inception it has awarded 7 winners $25,000 each, and 23 runners-up and finalists awards ranging from $1,000 to $10,000.
Super Star In Community Nursing Award
The VNA Foundation of Chicago’s Super Star in Community Nursing Award was introduced in 2001 to acknowledge the service that public health/community health nurses provide, recognize the value of nursing in the community, help attract young people to the profession, and contribute to efforts to decrease the nursing shortage. Hundreds of thousands of nursing positions are unfilled today and that number is expected to skyrocket in the coming years as 78 million aging Baby Boomers begin placing unprecedented demands on America's health care system. The nursing workforce shortage is a major factor in emergency department overcrowding, cancellation of elective surgeries, discontinuation of clinical services, and the limited ability of the health system to respond to a mass casualty incident. In addition, 90 percent of nursing homes report an insufficient number of nurses to provide even the most basic care, and some home health agencies are being forced to refuse new admissions. Although there are currently shortages of other health care personnel, nurses are the primary source of care and support for patients at the most vulnerable points in their lives. Nearly every person's health care experience involves a registered nurse. Birth and death, and all the various forms of care in between, are attended by the knowledge, support and comfort of nurses.
In early June 2008, Ronna “Jake” Ellwing, one runner-up and two finalists were chosen by an all-volunteer, independent panel of community health experts, including longtime physician and public health activist Quentin Young, M.D., members of the public health community, and former “Super Star” recipients including last year’s winner, Sally Lemke.
Teresa Heaton, MPH, RN, was named runner-up for the 2008 VNA Super Star in Community Nursing Award and received $10,000 for her commitment to public health nursing in Kane County where she serves as Director of Family Health for the Kane County Health Department. Ingrid Forsberg, RN, MSN, APRN, BC, was named a Super Star finalist and received $5,000 for her work as a Health Educator at the Mercy-Dunbar Health Center. Monica Ryan, DNP, APN, CNP, also a finalist for the Super Star award receiving $5,000, works as an Assistant Professor and Health Center Director at Saint Xavier University.
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VNA Superstar
Congratulations to Ronna "Jake" Ellwing, RN, BSN, the VNA Foundation's 2008 Super Star in Community Nursing Award recipient.
Contact the VNA if you would like more information or to speak directly with a Super Star Nurse