Sanford Bismarck Honors Nurses During Nurses Week
Sanford Bismarck recognized local nurses and health care workers during Sanford Health’s Soaring to Excellence Awards celebration. The award ceremony, held during National Nurses Week, acknowledges outstanding Sanford Health nurses for their unwavering dedication and commitment to providing outstanding care for their patients and communities. The following received awards:
Florence Nightengale Professional Nurse Award – Kayla Timberlake
Florence Nightengale Professional Nurse Award (Inpatient) – Elham Kamali
Star Performance Nurse Award – Cassie Bachler
Start Performance Nurse Award (Inpatient) – Karsyn Haag
Transformational Leadership Nurse Award – Ashly Steckler
Transformational Leadership Nurse Award (Inpatient) – Kimberly Stearns
New Knowledge, Innovations and Improvements Nurse Award - Nikki Fischer-Buchholz
New Knowledge, Innovations and Improvements Nurse Award (Inpatient) – Audrey Clemmer
Exemplary Professional Practice Nurse – Alicia Huizenga
Exemplary Professional Practice Nurse (Inpatient) - Mary Schmidt
Structural Empowerment Nurse Award – Megan Smith
Structural Empowerment Nurse Award (Inpatient) – Amber Vetter
Distinguished Wisdom Keeper Nurse Award – Jennifer Hall
Distinguished Wisdom Keeper Nurse Award (Inpatient) – Julie Klindworth
Friend of Nursing Award – Amy Murphy
Friend of Nursing Award (Inpatient) – Matt Eriksen
Friend of Nursing Award (Department) – Dickinson West Lab
Jan Kamphuis Spirit of Nursing Leadership Professional Nurse Award – Jill Rodgers
“We recognize and express gratitude towards our nurses and supporting health care team members for their unwavering commitment to delivering high quality, compassionate care to patients on a daily basis,” said Wendy Kopp, chief nursing officer for Sanford Health Bismarck. “Being a nurse is about being there for someone when they need it the most, offering comfort when there is fear, and sharing in the joy of healing and recovery.”
The Soaring to Excellence Awards is an annual event for Sanford Health. Each year, Sanford employees are encouraged to nominate their colleagues to be recognized for the remarkable work they do each day for their patients and communities. This year, 232 nominations were submitted for 2025 honors in nine categories.
National Nurses Week is acknowledged by health care organizations and the American Nurses Association annually.
The Sanford Bismarck region provides health care to central and western North Dakota, eastern Montana and northern South Dakota. It includes 26 clinics in Bismarck, Mandan, Minot, Dickinson, Williston and Watford City, as well as a Level II trauma center located in Bismarck.