While nurses are charged with carrying out doctors’ orders, there is more to professional nursing practice than that. Among the ways nurses impact patient care is through evidence-based practice (EBP) projects. In the course of just three years since the University HealthSystem Consortium and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (UHC-AACN) Nurse Residency Program was instituted at Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN), nurse residents have completed more than 100 EBP projects with more than 60 additional projects in various stages of development. Upon completion, EBP projects have confirmed insights and changed clinical practice.

A recent EBP project examined the benefits or impact of ambulation on colon-rectal surgery patients. Those who got up and moved, even once, were found to have shorter hospital stays than those who did not. As a result, early ambulation is now being implemented throughout the hospital system as a practice for surgical patients to help shorten their length of stay.

At LVHN, the person who designed the EBP curriculum and oversees all projects within the UHC-AACN Nurse Residency Program is Carolyn Davidson, PhD, RN, CCRN, ARNP, CPHQ, administrator, evidence-based practice and clinical excellence. Davidson was among more than 100 LVHN nurses and other caregivers who were honored with Friends of Nursing awards at the annual Friends of Nursing celebration May 5 at SteelStacks, Bethlehem.

For more than 25 years, the Friends of Nursing program has honored LVHN nursing colleagues for the exceptional care they provide patients and the community. The program awards funding that colleagues may use for continuing education, professional development as well as for nurse-led research that enhances patient care. The awards program kicks off National Nurses Week 2016 at LVHN.

As part of the evening’s festivities, representatives from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, Jan Moran and Cheryl Schmitz, presented LVHN chief nursing officer and senior vice president for patient care services, Anne Panik, MS, BSN, RN, NEA-BC, with a plaque acknowledging the fourth consecutive Magnet designation earned by Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH) - Cedar Crest, LVH -17th Street, LVH - Muhlenberg, LVHN - Tilghman, and Home Health and Hospice Services. Magnet designation is earned by fewer than seven percent of all hospitals in the U.S. and demonstrates LVHN’s commitment to patients and families. Magnet designation also demonstrates the network is a “magnet” for the nation’s best nurses.

The program also honored the memory and Friends of Nursing legacy of Richard Fleming, who died in December. Fleming co-founded the Friends of Nursing program at LVHN with his late wife Peggy. This year, son Robert Fleming announced award recipients’ stories, while Robert’s sister Trinka Arnold and sister-in-law Linda Fleming presented awards that are sponsored by the Fleming family.

The following is a list of 2016 Friends of Nursing award recipients:

Anne Panik Transformational Leadership Award: Carolyn Davidson, PhD, RN, CCRN, ARNP, CPHQ, Patient Care Services Administration. Hometown: Emmaus.

The Florence Nightingale Exemplary Professional Practice Award: Debra Peter, MSN,RN-BC,CMSRN, Clinical Informatics. Hometown: Perkasie.

Award for Professional Nursing Certification, Department Greater Than 15 Staff Members: The Children’s ER

The Tewari Family Award for Professional Nursing Certification, Department Less Than 15 Staff Members: Inpatient Wound Services

Joseph J. Prorok, MD Award for Excellence in Perioperative Nursing: Janet Williams BSN, RN, CNOR, Operating Room, LVH - Muhlenberg. Hometown: Coopersburg.

Professional Excellence Council Physician Friends of Nursing Award: Rita Pechulis, MD, Department of Medicine. Hometown: Macungie.

John M. Eisenberg, MD Award for Excellence as a Student Nurse: Therese Christine O’Loughlin, DeSales University. Hometown: Pulaski, N.Y.

The Fleming Award to Recognize New Knowledge, Innovations & Improvements: Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit

The Fleming Award for Exemplary Performance Associated with the Nurse Residency Program: Kristine Petre, MLS, CM, AHIP, Library Services. Hometown: Macungie.

The Fleming Nursing Caring Awards: Krista Malinoski, RN, OCN, Outpatient Hematology-Oncology. Hometown: Auburn, Pa.

Jeanna Werner, RN, CEN, Emergency Department, LVH - Cedar Crest. Hometown: Allentown.

Cardiovascular Nursing Award: Sarah Frailey, RN, CCRN, Intensive Care Unit, LVH - Muhlenberg. Hometown: Effort, Pa.

Dr. Fred Fister Award for Excellence in Hospice Nursing: Donna Bakey, MSN, RN, Hospice. Hometown: Orefield.

Josephine Ritz, RN Nursing Award for Excellence in Patient and Family Engagement: Jennifer Lepre, BSN, RN, CMSRN - 6T. Hometown: Bethlehem.

Award for Excellence in Critical Care Nursing: Eva Fox, BSN, RN, Intensive Care Unit, LVH - Muhlenberg. Hometown: Whitehall.

The Medical Staff Technical Partner Awards: Anna Fernandez, CNA, Hospice Inpatient Unit. Hometown: Allentown; Josephine Frans - 6T. Hometown: Wind Gap.

The Medical Staff Medical-Surgical Nursing Award: Debra Schweitzer, BSN, RN, CMSRN - 5K. Hometown: Lehighton.

The Medical Staff Administrative Partner Award: Amy Rehrig, Health Center at Bangor. Hometown: Lehighton; Patricia Tunison, Cancer Infusion Center. Hometown: Whitehall.

The Medical Staff Promotion of Patient Care Award: Marsha Henritzy, Float Pool. Hometown: Wescosville.

The Medical Staff Award for Excellence in the Delivery of Respiratory Care: Linda Cornman, BS, RRT-NPS, Respiratory, LVH - Muhlenberg. Hometown: Alburtis, Pa.

Award for Excellence as a Case Manager: Sally Sherman, RN, Case Management. Hometown: Northampton.

Advanced Practice Clinician Award: Laura Slomiak, PA-C, Emergency Department, LVH - Muhlenberg. Hometown: East Stroudsburg.

Award for Excellence as a Pharmacist: Lauren Grantz, PharmD, CSP, Pharmacy, LVH - Cedar Crest. Hometown: Bethlehem.

The Bill and Nancy Mason Award for Excellence in the Delivery of Rehabilitation Services: Lauren Garges, PT, MS, Outpatient Rehabilitation. Hometown: Bethlehem.

Award for Excellence as a Nurse Preceptor: Judith Baker, MSN, RN, CEN, Emergency Department, LVH - Cedar Crest. Hometown: Orwigsburg.

Award for Excellence in the Delivery of Ambulatory Care: Janet Haines, BSN, RN, CGRN, Endoscopy Services. Hometown: Slatington.

Trauma Nursing Award: Carolyn Reinhart, BSN, RN, Transitional Trauma Unit. Hometown: Allentown.

M.G. Asnani, MD Award for Excellence in Pediatric Nursing: Jessica Eberly, BSN, RN, CPN, Pediatrics. Hometown: Allentown.

Cancer Center Leadership Council Excellence in Cancer Care Award: Colleen Skochko, RN, Multipurpose Area (MPA), Cancer Center. Hometown: Perkiomenville.

Lehigh Valley Health Network Board of Trustees Patient Satisfaction Award for Ambulatory Services: LVH - Cedar Crest Invasive Cardiology Laboratories

Senior Management Council Patient Satisfaction Award for Inpatient Care: Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit

The Legal Services/Risk Management Award for Exemplary Care and Professionalism in a Critical and Challenging Situation: Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit