Nursing Excellence Awards
Nurses are the key to our outstanding patient care.
EvergreenHealth's annual Nursing Excellence Awards recognize exceptional registered nurses who have performed beyond expectations and who have contributed to nursing as a profession.
Individuals are nominated by their peers, and award recipients are selected by nursing managers and supervisors. They are honored during our Nurses Week celebration in May.
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2026 Recipients
Kirkland
Ambulatory Nursing Practice
Jennifer Bartholomew, BSN, RN
Jennifer delivers exceptional care across every stage of the patient journey, building strong, lasting relationships with patients facing complex diagnoses. She brings both clinical expertise and compassion, helping patients feel supported and understood. Her attention to detail and coordination strengthen the entire care team. Her work reflects a meaningful commitment to connection, trust and the human experience of care.
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Home Health & Hospice Nursing Practice
Jennie Lee, RN
Jennie provides exceptional, patient-centered care in the home. As an admit clinician, she sets the tone with professionalism, compassion and thorough assessments. She ensures patients and families are informed and supported while coordinating care across disciplines. She also expands access by traveling to underserved communities and advocating for patients in complex situations. Her dedication reflects a strong commitment to quality and equity in care.
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Inpatient/Hospital Nursing Practice
Hannah Booth, BSN, RN
Hannah elevates care through strong clinical judgment, clear communication and a calm, steady presence. As charge nurse, she brings organization and focus to complex situations while supporting her team. She encourages critical thinking and connects daily practice to evidence-based care. Her leadership creates meaningful learning moments and strengthens both team confidence and the care provided to every patient.
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Behavioral Health Award
Caroline Fitzpatrick, CEN, RN
Caroline is a dedicated advocate for behavioral health patients and their care experience. She provides compassionate, respectful care that builds trust and creates a sense of safety. Beyond the bedside, she strengthens care delivery by developing resources and supporting staff to improve consistency and quality. Her work reflects a deep commitment to advancing care for a vulnerable patient population.
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award
John Ocampo, BSN, RN, CEN
John is a thoughtful leader committed to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion. He fosters an environment where individuals feel seen, heard and valued, encouraging respectful dialogue and inclusive decision making. His leadership promotes fairness and cultural awareness across teams. His work strengthens team culture and supports more equitable, patient-centered care.
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Guiding Light Award
Rochelle Passey, RN
Rochelle is a trusted and steady presence with more than 30 years of service. She is known for her clinical expertise, calm approach and unwavering support of her team. She creates an environment where staff feel safe, supported and heard, especially during challenging moments. Her mentorship and leadership build confidence and reflect a deep commitment to both people and patient care.
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Nursing Leadership Excellence Award
Tessa Blomberg, RN, BSN
Tessa is a transformational leader who brings clarity, compassion and accountability to her team. She creates an environment where staff feel supported and valued while driving improvements in workflow, safety and efficiency. She listens, acts and advocates for her team, ensuring meaningful and lasting change. Her leadership strengthens both the work environment and the quality of patient care.
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Clinical Nurse Leader Award
Sun Yung Kim, BSN, RN
Sun is a dedicated leader who consistently supports both patients and colleagues. She brings high standards, strong ethics and a focus on improving care. She invests in the development of others through mentorship and education while leading initiatives that improve outcomes. Her thoughtful, team-focused approach strengthens performance and reflects a deep commitment to nursing excellence.
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Nursing Mentor Award
Sydney Griffin, RN
Sydney is a trusted mentor who creates a safe and supportive environment for learning. She helps nurses build confidence and critical thinking skills while encouraging independence in practice. She remains present during challenging moments, offering guidance and reassurance. Her mentorship strengthens both professional growth and the quality of care delivered across the team.
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Nursing Professional Development Award
Rachel Killinger, RN
Rachel is dedicated to the growth and development of others. She creates an environment where nurses feel supported in learning and building confidence. She brings teams together to improve coordination and communication, especially for complex patients. As a mentor and preceptor, she helps others understand both what they are doing and why it matters, strengthening professional practice across the team.
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Rising Star Award
Heather Calder, BSN, RN
Heather is an exceptional new nurse who has quickly made a meaningful impact. She supports colleagues with patience and encourages learning through understanding and confidence building. She provides respectful, patient-centered care and ensures patients and families feel informed and supported. Her professionalism and commitment reflect strong potential and a promising future in nursing.
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Monroe
Ambulatory Nursing Practice
Joanne Jang, RN
Joanne goes beyond clinical care to support the emotional and psychological needs of her patients. She brings strong assessment skills and intervenes early when concerns arise, helping patients feel safe and understood. Her kindness and presence put others at ease, and she remains a reliable source of support for her team. Joanne's work reflects a deep commitment to both patient care and the people around her.
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Inpatient/Hospital Nursing Practice
Emilia Raspotnuk, RN
Emilia is known for stepping in wherever she is needed, supporting both patients and colleagues across the unit. She prioritizes care with strong clinical judgment while ensuring patients feel comfortable and cared for. She builds trust through consistency and connection, creating a supportive environment for those around her. Her dedication and teamwork strengthen both patient care and unit culture.
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Behavioral Health Award
Laurie Stock, BSN, RN
Laurie is a dedicated advocate for behavioral health education and patient care. She brings deep knowledge and works to reduce stigma through thoughtful, evidence-based teaching. She supports staff with tools and training that improve safety and confidence, including her work on Mock Code Grey. Her leadership strengthens both team capability and the quality of care provided to patients.
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Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Award
Natalie Anderson, RN
Natalie is a strong advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion. She creates an environment where individuals feel seen, heard and respected, encouraging open dialogue and thoughtful decision making. Through education and daily practice, she promotes cultural awareness and inclusion. Her leadership strengthens collaboration and supports more equitable, patient-centered care.
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Guiding Light Award
Julie Ann Potter-Castro, RN
Julie Ann is a trusted and steady presence in the operating room. She brings deep clinical expertise, calm leadership and reliability in complex situations. She supports colleagues with guidance and compassion while maintaining a high standard of care. Her presence creates a sense of safety and confidence for both patients and staff.
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Nursing Leadership Excellence Award
Dustyn Jossy, MSN, RN
Dustyn is a compassionate and skilled nurse leader who consistently advocates for patients and families. He brings strong critical thinking, attention to detail and clear communication to complex situations. He supports patients through difficult decisions while guiding his team with integrity. His leadership reflects a strong commitment to both people and patient care.
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Nursing Mentor Award
Lisa Strom, RN
Lisa is a dedicated mentor who supports others through every stage of their professional growth. She creates a positive learning environment where nurses build confidence and develop strong skills. Her thoughtful guidance and ability to connect with others strengthen both individual development and team performance. Her mentorship has a lasting impact on patient care and team success.
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Nursing Professional Development Award
Joseph Nguyen, BSN, RN
Joseph demonstrates a strong commitment to developing others and advancing nursing practice. He creates a supportive learning environment and adapts his teaching to meet individual needs. As a preceptor, he encourages critical thinking and professional growth. His leadership strengthens both new and experienced nurses and supports a culture of continuous learning.
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Rising Star Award
Isabelle Arends, BSN, RN
Isabelle has quickly demonstrated strong clinical skill, professionalism and a deep commitment to patient-centered care. She builds trust with patients and families while remaining calm in high-pressure situations. She actively seeks opportunities to learn and contribute to her team. Her initiative and collaboration reflect strong potential and an early impact in her nursing career.
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