By Jeff Samoray, OU Web Writer

Oakland University's School of Nursing recognized eight outstanding Michigan nurses and helped raise funds for nursing scholarships and other department needs at the 14th annual Nightingale Awards. Nearly 700 people attended the event, which was held for the first time at the Best Western Sterling Inn Conference Center in Sterling Heights on May 9.

"The event was very successful and enjoyable," said Joann Burrington, School of Nursing administrative projects coordinator and Nightingale Awards event manager. "We had about 30 students in attendance this year, which is a record, due to the generosity of various health facilities and corporations that donated seats. We really like taking students to this event because it shows them how broad the nursing profession is and what they can do with their degrees. Students can become exposed to different areas of the nursing realm that they may not have thought of before."

A nominations selection committee made up of nurses from area hospitals and health care agencies selected the award recipients from nearly 100 nominees. The awardees exemplify the work of Florence Nightingale, who founded the modern nursing profession in the mid-1800s during the Crimean War.

This year's award recipients are:

• Cheryl E. Easley, Ph.D., RN, of Midland, Nursing Administration Award, Saginaw Valley University
• Rose Khalifa, RN, of Dearborn, Nursing Education and Research Award, Oakwood Healthcare Systems
• Corazon Nery, RN, of Windsor, Canada, Nursing Staff Practice Award, Detroit Medical Center, Hutzel Hospital
• JoAnn Maklebust, MSN, NP, of Northville, Advanced Nursing Practice Award, Karmanos Cancer Institute, Detroit Medical Center
• Judith Anderson Ganton, RN, BSN, of Spring Arbor, Long-Term Care Nursing Award, Ganton Retirement Centers
• Laura Lenihan, RN, of Taylor, Home Care Nursing Award, Henry Ford Home Health Care
• Betty Dornbrook, MSN, APN, of Grosse Pointe Woods, Nurse Entrepreneurship Award, Madonna University
• Adreena Harley, MSN, RN, of Davisburg, Distinguished Oakland University Alumni Award, William Beaumont Hospital

In her acceptance speech, JoAnn Maklebust spoke of how she became inspired to become a nurse and conveyed a sense of how varied the profession can be.

"When I was a teen-ager, I was hospitalized for a long time," Maklebust said. "The nurses who took care of me impressed me so much that I decided right then and there that I would also be a nurse. Over the years, nursing has afforded me many varied opportunities. Besides the daily rewards of caring for an oncology population, I have had opportunities to pursue special areas of interest. I have been able to enjoy clinical practice, nursing education, nursing research, consultation and public policy – sometimes all of them in one day."

Each award winner received a bronze statue of Florence Nightingale, a Nightingale pin and a cash reward. For more information on OU's nursing program, visit the School of Nursing Web site, call (248) 370-4070 or e-mail nrsinfo@oakland.edu.