BRADFORD, PA / OLEAN, NY- Upper Allegheny Health System (UAHS), which is comprised of Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and Olean General Hospital (OGH), honored numerous nurses across both hospital campuses throughout nurse’s week which ran from May 6 through May 10.

On Wednesday, May 8 there was a nurse award reception hosted in the main lobby of BRMC. The event was sponsored by longtime physician, Dr. Luis Gonzalez, general surgery. The ceremony was well attended by hospital leaders, staff, and community members who were served refreshments after the awards were presented.

The 2024 nurse of distinction honoree was Charlotte Muckinhaupt, BSN, RN, a registered nurse in the emergency department. The nurse of distinction in education honoree was Rachel Windsor, BSN, RN, Pavilion. Ann Kriner, RN, med-surg, was named the outstanding staff nurse honoree with nominees being Brooke Lipps, RN, med-surg, Amanda Wehler, RN, med-surg, and Shirley O’dell, emergency department. The outstanding support staff honoree was Stefanie Buley, emergency department tech.

            Nurse’s week at OGH culminated with the nurse reception taking place on Friday, May 10 in Café 515 that included refreshments and meal for those in attendance. For the second year in a row, Dr. Muhammed Javed, UAHS board chair, sponsored the event to recognize the hard-working nurses at OGH.

This year’s recipients included Meagan Winer, BSN, RN, ICU, nurse of distinction honoree, Frances Perez, RN, float pool, nurse of distinction in education honoree, Katie Weaver, RN, med-surg, outstanding staff nurse honoree, Jesse Barnes, LPN, quality, outstanding LPN, and Amy Hayman, unit coordinator in subacute rehab, was named the outstanding support staff for 2024.

            Other nominees at OGH included Alyssa Snyder, RN, Autumn Freer, RN, Cayla Thomas, RN, Katelyn Spears, BSN, RN, Kristen Miller, BSN, RN, for the nurse of distinction. The 2024 nominees for the nurse of distinction in education included Heather Faulkner, RN, Nicole Lippert, BSN, RN, and Rachael Huff, BSN, RN. Catherine Blocher, RN, and Jennifer Salerno, RN, were outstanding staff nurse nominees and Kim Schauer, LPN, was an outstanding LPN nominee. Susan Yaeger, nurse assistant, was also nominated as an outstanding support staff.

            “Our nurses are the heart and soul of our organization. I am so proud of all our 2024 nominees and recipients. The dedication and steadfast resiliency of our entire nursing team throughout UAHS is unmatched,” said Jennifer Ruggles, MSN, RN, chief nursing officer, UAHS. “The nursing excellence that our team provides to our community is admirable. Our nurses make the difference!”