LSU Nurses Honored in Great 100 Nurses Celebration

Each year, the Great 100 Nurses Foundation honors who they consider to be Louisiana's greatest Registered Nurses. Maggie Candon, RN and Great 100 Committee Member says, "a great nurse is one who stands out with their natural leadership and mentoring qualities, and one who gives back to the profession and community in their daily lives."

Nominations for the honorary list came from patients, friends, family, colleagues and community leaders, who submitted an essay based on the nominees accomplishments.

This year, on the 20th anniversary of the celebration, eight HCSD registered nurses are honored. They include Kimberly Kreppein; Ryan W. Nunez; Lillian Agnelly; Denise Young; Julie Borchers; Gretchen Delo; and Michael Verges, all from MCLNO. Jane Parrish, Director of Education - HCSD was also honored.

"We are extremely delighted to have the opportunity to properly honor and thank some of the amazing nurses that endured so much and played such an invaluable role during the events of last year's hurricanes Katrina and Rita," said Great 100 Chairman and Founder, P. K. Scheerle.

All of the nominees for the Great 100 Nurses will be honored at a gala in New Orleans on October 11th, at the Pontchartrain Center. The gala will include a silent auction and raffle that will contribute funds for nursing scholarships, recruitment and retention of experienced nurses at the bedside and valuable nursing research.

"Our nurses in Louisiana have faced many challenges over the past year which seemed insurmountable, but every day it seems to get easier as a result of the camaraderie and commitment by us all," said Lillian Agnelly, RN.