Piedmont Henry Hospital congratulates four of its nurses selected as finalists for this year’s March of Dimes Nurse of the Year award.

L to r: Kim Pace, Pat McAfee and Raquel Tamez. Not pictured: Helen Bailey.                                                   Special photo

  Helen Bailey, RN, MSN, CNM, ARNP; Pat McAfee, RN, BSN; Kim Pace, RN, BSN and Raquel Tamez, RN, BSN were among the more than 750 nurses submitted from across the state for the 2012 March of Dimes Nurse of the Year recognition. The award is a state-wide event that honors exceptional nurses in all specialties, creates awareness of professional excellence and promotes the future of the nursing profession, while helping to advance the mission of the March of Dimes.

  Bailey is a nurse and certified midwife at Piedmont Henry Hospital with 26 years of experience in nursing. Bailey helped open the hospital’s Pre-Natal Clinic in 2006 where she manages the care of some 200 antepartum and postpartum women per year. “It is an honor and privilege to take care of these patients. I put my heart and soul into caring for each one of them,” says Bailey.

  McAfee is a 23-year employee of Piedmont Henry Hospital. She is the director of Women’s & Infant Services. “I strive to encourage women to pursue their dreams, to achieve greatness in their own interpretation. Caring and compassion are the essence of nursing practice and it goes beyond providing patient care; those characteristics are important for all nurses in all positions, especially in leadership,” says McAfee.

  Pace, manager of Piedmont Henry’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), has been with the hospital for nearly three years. Pace recently earned the Georgia Hospital Association’s Health-care Management and Leadership Certificate. “I believe the NICU staff benefits when I am well-informed and the best leader I can be for them,” says Pace.

  Raquel Tamez is a nurse in Piedmont Henry’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She’s been a nurse for 36 years with the past 30 years in NICU. At Piedmont Henry, Tamez works as a lactation consultant for new mothers and teaches the hospital’s discharge preparation class for parents of babies born at less than 35 weeks gestation. “I love to work with the NICU babies and their families. I always look for ways to help them during this difficult time,” says Tamez. 

  This year’s 3rd Annual March of Dimes Nurse of the Year celebration was held Saturday, November 17 at the Hyatt Regency Downtown in Atlanta.    

  For more information on Piedmont Henry Hospital, visit www.piedmonthenry.org.