Salute To Nurses: Winners 2022
In the face of exhaustion within our Healthcare facilities, our San Antonio area nurses boost our hopes and give comfort while remaining a steadfast support of our community. We will never be able to describe how humbled we are by their sacrifices. The Express-News program, Salute to Nurses, each year honors nurses that are nominated by peers, patients, and administration. This year we will continue to celebrate and honor these humble health warriors with admiration and respect.
These humble health warriors deserve recognition. That’s what our program aims to highlight for our community and the nursing community at large. Each year we gather new feedback based on input from the public and health professionals. We will continue to highlight moments of joy and fortitude for the nurses of San Antonio and the surrounding area through our Salute to Nurses program.
“We are so proud to honor San Antonio’s humble health warriors and provide a powerful platform to give them the thanks and recognition that they deserve. We continue to grow our programs like these with the support of our partners within the community to build meaningful memories for the community of San Antonio. We love to honor and celebrate these true leaders of healthcare in Central Texas.” – Kate Weber, CRO Express-News.
Pandemic Response
Courtesy of Dora Snedeker
Courtesy of Dora Snedeker
Dora Snedeker, RN, BSN, P-CS
The Center for Health Care Services
“If it were not for Dora’s expert skills and knowledge of nursing, we would have lost members of our workforce to COVID. She developed PPE videos, delivered PPE to our workforce, and trained everyone … We are blessed as an organization to have her.”
Administer/Leader
Courtesy of Catalina Schultze
Courtesy of Catalina Schultze
Catalina Schultze-Kraft, RN, MSN
Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.
“Catalina has been a staunch advocate for individuals and families who face tremendous barriers to living their healthiest lives … She has also served as a vocal advocate for immigrants and underserved communities, directing her team to continuously strive to advocate and care for patients and clients, regardless of their ability to pay for services.”
LPN/LVN
Courtesy of Stacy Ramirez
Stacy Ramirez, LVN
Freedom House Alzheimer’s Care and Research Center
“During the first and second COVID outbreaks, she jumped in with both feet and, without asking for permission, she took charge and worked to ensure the safety of our residents … She leads from the front, and that is how all good leaders gain the respect of their peers.”
Nurse Educator
Courtesy of Linda Hook
Courtesy of Linda Hook
Linda Hook, DrPh, MSN, RN, PHNA-BC
University of the Incarnate Word
“Hook’s creativity, enthusiasm, and her tenacity are characteristics that have translated into multiple new initiatives in high-risk San Antonio neighborhoods; at the city’s central homeless shelter called Haven for Hope; and within the School of Nursing. She knows what is possible; she has faith and skill in bringing people together to get work done; and she has boundless energy and warmth, which she showers on her students.”
RN
Courtesy of Marlon Mantaring
Courtesy of Marlon Mantaring
Marlon Mantaring, RN, BS
University Health
“Marlon is an exceptional nurse, an excellent role model, a team leader, and a team player. He advocates endlessly, giving patients the best quality care and ensuring their safety using evidenced-based practice. Whenever someone needs assistance with a difficult situation, he is there without complaint and always willing to help.”
Pediatrics
Courtesy of Rachel Rivas
Courtesy of Rachel Rivas
Rachel Rivas, MSN, RNC-NIC
University Health
“Rachel advocates for the best care for our patients and their families by promoting quality improvement initiatives that continuously improve patient experience and expectations.”
Nurse Practitioner
Courtesy of Dawn Rodriguez
Courtesy of Dawn Rodriguez
Dawn Rodriguez, Aesthetic, FNP-C
STARS Plastic Surgery
“During the pandemic, a few of our employees had to be laid off for a short period of time. Dawn furloughed herself to allow more employees to be retained at our office. This boosted morale and showed that she is a complete team player.”
Surgery
Courtesy of Kelly Collier
Courtesy of Kelly Collier
Kelly Collier, RN, BSN
Methodist Hospital Metropolitan
“Kelly’s commitment to and passion for her patients, their families, and coworkers is lovingly demonstrated in each action. She takes it upon herself to go the extra mile. She calms the fears of those who are scared, and she offers reassurance to the loved ones who are vulnerable and entrusting our team to care for their family member.”
Home Care
Courtesy of Katherine Wilkerson
Courtesy of Katherine Wilkerson
Katherine Wilkerson, LVN
Guardian Healthcare
“Besides being a health hero for her patients, Katherine became a super health hero for her 10-year-old daughter. Katherine taught her all about T1D and how to live a normal life with T1D. Her patients have so much trust and confidence in Katherine’s medical knowledge that they would call her for advice before calling their doctor.”
Nursing Student
Courtesy of Charity Connealy
Courtesy of Charity Connealy
Charity Connealy, Nursing Student
Texas Lutheran University
“Charity advocates for those who don’t have a voice or are afraid to speak up. She takes the time to listen to the community members and finds ways to help.”
Rehab
Courtesy of Maria Elisa Rivera
Courtesy of Maria Elisa Rivera
Maria Elisa Rivera, RN
Methodist Healthcare
“Elisa always shows each of her patients how much she cares. She provides quality care and shows how knowledgeable she really is. She will go above and beyond to help her fellow nurses and patient care techs. Even when it is not her patient, she will do what she can to help.”
Military Nurse
Courtesy of Nadia Perez
Courtesy of Nadia Perez
Nadia Perez, RN, BSN
Brooke Army Medical Center
“Nadia implemented a highly successful pilot program on safe and effective ways to cohort COVID and non-COVID populations in the hospital. As the surge of patients continued, she hastily opened an additional ICU with evolving capabilities to avoid turning away sick patients … This selfless, hardworking nurse manager is a jewel that shines bright in our great San Antonio community.”
Hospice
Courtesy of Melissa Thompson
Courtesy of Melissa Thompson
Melissa Thompson, RN
Generous Home Care Management
“Melissa has been a nurse in the San Antonio community for many years and responded to the call when COVID hit by transferring to hospitals around the country that were the most in need, but always returning to provide care to families in need here in San Antonio. She finds the work she does in hospice care – bringing peace, comfort, and knowledge to her patients and their families – to be the most rewarding.”
ICU/CCU
Courtesy of Celine Bir-Olvera
Courtesy of Celine Bir-Olvera
Celine Bir-Olvera, RN, MSN
North Central Baptist Hospital
“Celine gives extra hands-on training to NICU parents in the care of their infant in preparation for discharge. To the joy of many parents whose infants − sometimes twins, triplets or quads − have thrived in NICU, Celine has been the unofficial photographer for first baby portraits.”
ER
Courtesy of Rebecca Flowers
Courtesy of Rebecca Flowers
Rebecca Flowers, RN, BSN
Methodist Hospital
“Rebecca is a leader for nurses in the ER by her patient and family interactions when she remains calm in all necessary situations and truly understands what the patient and family are going through.”
Oncology
Courtesy of Andrea Kassem
Courtesy of Andrea Kassem
Andrea Kassem, RN, OCN, CBCN, CN-BN, NBC-HWC
Baptist Health System
“Andrea radiates optimism that can make all the difference in the world for patients and colleagues, especially given the nature of the industry we work in. She does this by treating every patient like her family member. Andrea established a culture of compassion, positivity, and hope that has rippled throughout the organization to our staff and patients.”
School Nurse
Courtesy of Lizet Garza
Courtesy of Lizet Garza
Lizet Garza, RN, BSN
Northeast Independent School District
“Lizet works endlessly to provide the best care possible to her students. She never stops and goes out of her way to work sporting events to make sure students athletes are well taken care of if an injury occurs.”
Labor and Delivery
Courtesy of Michelle Villasenor
Courtesy of Michelle Villasenor
Michelle Villasenor, RN
University Health
“Showing love and compassion is what Michelle’s all about. Even if it means standing up to an irate or hostile family member to protect the safety and well-being of the other patients and their families.”
