Nurse Recognition
The Division of Nursing Services' Nurses of the Quarter (NOQ) Recognition Program is for all nurses across the IHS, Tribal, and Urban Indian Organization health system, highlighting the incredible nurses, including registered nurses, advanced practice registered nurses, and licensed practical nurses across the agency who are committed to providing quality healthcare through excellence in nursing practice and leadership. Each quarter, in March, June, September, and December, two nurses will be recognized, one a nurse in an Administrator role and one in direct clinical work.
Nurses of the Quarter
2024 NURSES OF THE QUARTER RECIPEINTS
QUARTER 3
Read about the Excellence in Nursing Practice nurse for Quarter 3, Taryn Detsoi [PDF - 170 KB], RN, from the Crownpoint Service Unit in the IHS Navajo Area.
Read about the Exemplary Leadership nurse for Quarter 3, Mary Bailey [PDF - 154 KB], BSN, RN, CIC, from the Claremore Service Unit in the IHS Oklahoma City Area.
QUARTER 2
Read about the Excellence in Nursing Practice nurse for Quarter 2, LCDR Kristina Smith [PDF - 143 KB], MSN, RN, APHN from the Turtle Mountain Service Unit in the IHS Great Plains Area.
Read about the Exemplary Leadership nurse for Quarter 2, Ophelia Tsosie [PDF - 134 KB], MSN, RN from the Chinle Service Unit in the IHS Navajo Area.
QUARTER 1
Read about the Excellence in Nursing Practice nurse for Quarter 1, Cheryl Smith [PDF - 203 KB], BSN, RN from Gallup Indian Medical Center in the IHS Navajo Area.
Read about the Exemplary Leadership nurse for Quarter 1, Shavonna White [PDF - 211 KB], DNP, RN from the Chinle Service Unit in the IHS Navajo Area.
Nurse of the Month Program 2021-2023
The DNS' Nurse of the Month recognition program selected a nominated individual to celebrate each month on various IHS digital platforms.
December 2023
Read about December Nurse of the Month, Gerald Dennison-Smith [PDF - 147 KB], RN from the Crownpoint Service Unit in the IHS Navajo Area.
November 2023
Read about November Nurse of the Month, Mikisha Longie [PDF - 147 KB], BSN, RN and a Public Health Nurse/Colorectal Cancer Coordinator from the Turtle Mountain Service Unit in the IHS Great Plains Area.
October 2023
Read about October Nurse of the Month, Melanie Tuamoheloa [PDF - 101 KB], BSN, RN, and Primary Care Clinic Manager in the Winnebago Comprehensive Healthcare System in the IHS Great Plains Area.
September 2023
Read about September Nurse of the Month, Jordan McAdam [PDF - 148 KB], BSN, RN, CPEN, and Emergency Department Nurse Specialist from the Northern Navajo Medical Center, Shiprock Service Unit in the IHS Navajo Area.
August 2023
Read about August Nurse of the Month, Natasha Flurry [PDF - 88 KB], MBA, RN, CPPS, and Chief Nurse Executive from the Clinton Indian Health Center in the IHS Oklahoma City Area.
July 2023
Read about July Nurse of the Month, CAPT Vickie Caldwell [PDF - 83 KB], from the Wewoka Indian Health Center in the IHS Oklahoma City Area.
June 2023
Read about June Nurse of the Month, Christian Clarquist [PDF - 181 KB], RN, from the Lac Courte Oreilles Community Health Center in the IHS Bemidji Area Area.
May 2023
Read about May Nurse of the Month, CDR Dana Cash [PDF - 154 KB], MSN, RN, from the Claremore Indian Hospital in the IHS Oklahoma City Area.
April 2023
Read about April Nurse of the Month, Kelly Colton-Emke [PDF - 119 KB], RN, from the Seneca Nation Health System (SNHS) in the IHS Nashville Area.
March 2023
Read about March Nurse of the Month, CDR Sharlene Todicheeney [PDF - 119 KB], RN, from Gallup Indian Medical Center in the IHS Navajo Area.
February 2023
Read about February Nurse of the Month, Anna Lennox [PDF - 148 KB], RN, TNCC, from the Whiteriver Service Unit in the IHS Phoenix Area.
January 2023
Read about January Nurse of the Month, D’Loni Little Sun [PDF - 148 KB], RN, BSN, from the Western Oregon Service Unit in the IHS Portland Area.
December 2022
Read about December Nurse of the Month, Veronica Thomas [PDF - 124 KB], Public Health Nurse at the Yankton Service Unit, Great Plains Area.
November 2022
Read about November Nurse of the Month, Alex Daniels [PDF - 114 KB], Director of Public Health Nursing (PHN) at the Chinle Service Unit, Navajo Area.
October 2022
Read about October Nurse of the Month, Angelina Rustand, BSN, RN-BC, PHN [PDF - 54 KB], Quality Improvement Coordinator, Red Lake Service Unit, Bemidji Area.
August 2022
Read about August Nurse of the Month, Venita Yawakie-Lucero [PDF - 154 KB], RN and Case Manager, Albuquerque Indian Health Center, Albuquerque Area.
July 2022
Read about July Nurse of the Month, LT Hollis Reed [PDF - 57 KB], Clinical Nurse Supervisor of the Catawba Service Unit (CSU) in the Nashville Service Area.
June 2022
Read about June Nurse of the Month, Lieutenant Charlene Caddo [PDF - 131 KB], Senior Public Health Nurse from Whiteriver Indian Hospital in the IHS Phoenix Area.
May 2022
Read about May Nurse of the Month, Dean Cremat [PDF - 201 KB], RN, PHN, BSN and Behavioral Health Case Manager.
April 2022
Read about April Nurse of the Month, Melissa Wyaco [PDF - 83 KB], Area Nurse Consultant at the Navajo Area Indian Health Service.
March 2022
Read about March Nurse of the Month, Alonna Adair [PDF - 90 KB], Chief Nurse Executive at the Claremore Indian Hospital.
February 2022
Read about February Nurse of the Month, Christina Morin [PDF - 100 KB], COVID-19 Vaccine Point of Contact and Coordinator at Quentin N Burdick Memorial Health Care Facility in the Great Plains Area IHS.
January 2022
Read about January Nurse of the Month, LCDR Michelle Livingston [PDF - 114 KB], Director of Nursing and Infection Preventionist at Chemawa Indian Health Center/Western Oregon Service Unit in the Portland Area IHS.
December 2021
Read about December Nurse of the Month, Teressa Martinez, ARNP, RN [PDF - 83 KB], at the Wellpinit Service Unit from the Portland Area IHS.
November 2021
Read about November Nurse of the Month, Dorothea Begaye, RN [PDF - 84 KB], at the Tsaile Health Center from the Navajo Area IHS.
October 2021
Read about October Nurse of the Month, Melissa Hubbard, DNP [PDF - 112 KB], from the Billings Area IHS.
September 2021
Read about September Nurse of the Month, Dr. Diana DeLeon, PhD, MPH, RN [PDF - 99 KB], from the Kayenta Health Center in the Navajo Service Area.
August 2021
Read about August Nurse of the Month, Lieutenant Steven Owens, Nurse Educator [PDF - 77 KB], at the Whiteriver Indian Hospital.
July 2021
Read about July Nurse of the Month, Lori Haas, RN, MSN [PDF - 82 KB], Public Health Nurse (PHN) at Western Oregon Service Unit (WOSU).
June 2021
Read about June Nurse of the Month, LCDR Rachel Taylor [PDF - 162 KB], Risk Management Quality Assurance Officer at the Chemawa Indian Health Center.
