Cathy Bittner, RN Recognized with Nursing Excellence Award

Cathy Bittner, RN of Carteret Health Care’s Second Medical and 3rd Surgical departments received the Lewis Excellence Award during National Nurses Week and Hospital Week. Named in honor of Georgia Lewis, RN, the award recognizes the special impact and importance of nursing on patient care.

Ms. Bittner was one of many individuals nominated from hundreds of nurses at Carteret Health. She received numerous nominations from her co-workers who wanted to recognize her for her superior patient service and dedication to the hospital.

Cindy Jones, Vice President of Patient Care Services, presented the Nursing Excellence Award to Ms. Bittner in front of her clinical peers along with members of her family.

Ms. Jones congratulated her and shared, “She was selected because she is a true model of a nurse leading the way. Ms. Bittner is compassionate, careful, observant and confident in her clinical care.”

Every day she goes the extra mile to see that patient’s and co-workers’ needs are met. A co-worker shared that Ms. Bittner often comes in to offer extra helping hands and recently, she left her own wedding anniversary dinner to work when the team needed her.

Tara Anderson, Clinical Director noted, “Cathy practices the profession of nursing as an art. She has an innate ability to touch the lives of patients, families and her co-workers she serves alongside.”

Patients frequently acknowledge Ms. Bittner’s kind and comforting ways by sharing how Ms. Bittner held their hand, answered their questions and tenderly responded to their concerns.

Ms. Bittner is always looking for ways to ensure patients have the most positive health care experience no matter their needs or length of stay. Patients frequently give full credit to Ms. Bittner’s care and encouragement for their full recoveries.

The Professional Excellence Council at Carteret Health Care facilitated the nominations and selection process for the Georgia Lewis Nursing Excellence Award. The Council is made up of staff nurses and nursing leaders from each of the nursing departments. This group promotes professional certification and advanced education; researches best practices and supports the Hospital culture of accountability through Nurse Peer Review.

As a recipient of the Nursing Excellence Award, Ms. Bittner receives an expense paid trip to a national nursing convention of her choice, her name will be submitted to the North Carolina Nursing 100, and $500 cash. She will also be challenged to continue to display excellence in nursing, act as a role model for nursing at Carteret Health, and serve on the Recognition Committee for one year.

The Lewis Award is named in honor of Miss Georgia Lewis who was a staff nurse at the original, downtown Morehead City Hospital. She worked in all patient care areas including the Emergency Room, Medical, Surgical, and Obstetrics – her special love. When Carteret General, the former name of Carteret Health Care, opened its doors in 1967, Miss Georgia was a member of the original hospital staff. Her diverse skills were continually used in multiple areas of the Hospital, but she expanded her critical thinking skills in the house supervisor role, a position she held until her retirement in March 1991. She served as a mentor for staff, peers, and physicians – always proud to represent the Department of Nursing.

Carteret Health Care recognizes nursing excellence twice per year in October for the Mildred Clapsadl Award and May for the Georgia Lewis Award. The Clapsadl & Lewis Nursing Excellence Awards are open to all clinical RNs and LPNs at Carteret Health Care who have a minimum of three consecutive years of employment at Carteret Health and a minimum of 1000 hours worked each of these years.

Nominations for Excellence Awards may be submitted by letter describing how the individual demonstrates excellence in nursing and are due 30 days prior to the announced presentation date.