Karie Pearce, RN named “Nurse of the Year” in Community Service & Public Health category

Congratulations to Hennepin County Medical Center’s Karie Pearce, RN, recognized for her work in Community and Public Health at the 2011 March of Dimes Nurse of the Year dinner and awards program on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Minneapolis. The honorees’ leadership and contributions have made a significant impact on their community and to the profession of nursing. Nominations were submitted by patients, their families and health care professionals statewide.

Pearce is a Trauma Outreach Specialist who coordinates trauma and critical care education and outreach. “Just to be nominated was an honor,” says Pearce, “but to even be selected… I’m overwhelmed. It is humbling to be recognized out of such an incredible group of nurses across the state that I feel fortunate to work with and learn from every day. I feel so privileged to work for HCMC where there is the ability to do creative and cutting edge education and patient care.” The event was focused on recognizing the nominated nurses for their contributions to patient care, the nursing profession, and the community.

Among the 200 entries, 20 HCMC RNs were nominated for awards. Awards were presented in the following categories: Advanced Practice, Care Management, Community Service & Public Health, Education & Research, Leadership, Long-Term & Rehabilitation Care, Neonatal, Pediatric, Rising Star, Rural Health, School Nurse, Staff Nurse-General Care, Staff Nurse-Critical Care, Women’s Health, and Distinguished Nurse of the Year.

Pearce serves on the Board of Directors for the Minnesota Emergency Nurses Association, representing the Twin Cities chapter. She is also on the board for the state’s Comprehensive Advanced Life Support (CALS) program that teaches pediatric, neonatal, and adult trauma and critical care resuscitation in a team format to physicians, mid-level providers, nurses, and EMS (emergency medical services) providers. She lives in Maple Grove with her husband and daughters.

Hennepin County Medical Center is well known in the region for its Level 1 trauma care and training program. Its mission is to provide the best possible care to every patient they serve today; to search for new ways to improve the care provided tomorrow; to educate health care providers for the future; and to ensure access to healthcare for all.

Nurse of the Year Awards benefit the March of Dimes mission to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. This second annual event raised $76,000 for the mission of the March of Dimes. The March of Dimes is the leading nonprofit organization for pregnancy and baby health. With chapters nationwide, the March of Dimes works to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth and infant mortality. For the latest resources and information, visit marchofdimes.com or nacersano.org.