The year 2020 may be remembered for many negative things, but one positive was that the World Health Organization designated it the Year of the Nurse. The gesture was in honor of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Florence Nightingale, but also because nurses around the world were on the frontlines helping to fight the COVID-19 pandemic.

That’s why at Moffitt Cancer Center, the seventh annual Honored Nurse and Nurse of the Year award ceremony was a special celebration.

The Honored Nurse program is a way for the cancer center to recognize and reward nurses who demonstrate excellence in nursing practice, leadership and achievement.

Based on an Olympic style system, nurses are awarded bronze, silver, gold, or platinum medals. They are placed into five categories, Inpatient, Outpatient, Partners in Patient Care, Perioperative and Treatment. The top-ranked medalists from the five categories are then named as the Honored Nurse Program’s Nurse of the Year.

Despite the challenges that were faced, 357 nurses were awarded medals, recognizing them for their hard work and dedication to patients and Moffitt.

Here are the 2020 Nurse of the Year award recipients.

Inpatient Nurse of the Year, Mary Coombs 

What her colleagues said about her: Mary always listens actively and intuitively knows what to say to help patients through difficult moments. She demonstrates caring behavior with peers and all members of the health care team. Mary always appreciates the challenges that some patients present and can always find the unique meanings that will ensure the patient feels heard.

Treatment Nurse of the Year, Lori Fox

What her colleagues said about her: Lori is a strong clinical leader. She is professional and emotionally supportive to patients and team members. Lori embodies what it means to be a Moffitt nurse. She is empathetic, kind, caring and an amazing teacher. 

Partners in Patient Care Nurse of the Year, Magen Davis
What her colleagues said about her: Magen supported the McKinley Campus curbside clinic by developing a standard operating procedure and pursuing the invention of equipment that allows nurses to maintain a sterile technique, which will further expand services and convenience to patients. She is always the first to volunteer and take on a new project and even asks to learn new skills for advancement. Her friendly disposition puts everyone she meets in a better mood instantly, always trying to recognize and celebrate others’ successes. Magen lives the Moffitt nursing mission daily, providing compassionate support to our nurses, utilizing innovative teaching strategies in educational programs and is an expert the areas of chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

Perioperative Services Nurse of the Year, Isabella Buonanno

What her colleagues said about her: Isabella has critical thinking skills which can be observed daily as she navigates patient issues through the proper channels. She loves to learn and is always thinking of her team, motivating them to learn new skills and being the unit cheerleader. Isabella embraces appreciative inquiry and is not afraid to ask tough questions. She is honest, respectful, knowledgeable and dependable

Outpatient Nurse of the Year, Nellie Triplett

What her colleagues said about her: Nellie is always encouraging her peers to advance their knowledge. She offers this caring factor to each of her patients at every encounter. Nellie is a strong patient advocate and is relentless in helping her patients thrive. She works with enthusiasm each day. In her role as a preceptor, she provides encouraging, positive support to new nurses and it is evident that she enjoys teaching other nurses.