Merit Health River Region has announced Tammy Anderson, RN, Wound Care and Employee Health Nurse, has been selected to receive its Nursing Excellence Award.

This peer-nominated award, created in honor of 2020 being the “Year of the Nurse,” is designed to recognize “the critical role nurses have played in treating patients throughout the COVID pandemic,” the hospital said in a release. The award was open to qualifying RNs and LPNs working in a direct patient care position who consistently demonstrate characteristics synonymous with nursing excellence.

According to the release, Anderson was chosen for her “outstanding contributions in the areas of wound treatment and care of patients, as well as for her dedication and commitment to compassionate care of our employees, especially during these challenging times with the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“Merit Health River Region is fortunate to have many outstanding nurses like Tammy among its ranks. Nurses who deliver exemplary care, compassion and service, who understand the importance of teamwork and mentoring others, who can lead in times of crises, and who are true champions of promoting healthcare in our community,” said Ben Richaud, CEO of Merit Health River Region. “With so much focus this year on the selfless efforts of front line heroes like Tammy, we are pleased to acknowledge the important contributions of our nursing professionals.”

Anderson joined Merit Health River Region in April 2012 and since that time has held positions as Risk Management Manager, Employee Health Nurse and Wound Care Nurse.

In addition to receiving the Nursing Excellence Award itself, Anderson received a cash prize and the quintessential book on nursing, written by Florence Nightingale in 1859, that remains relevant to today’s modern nursing attitudes and skills.