Riley nurses get their time to shine

By Maureen Gilmer, Riley Children’s Health senior writer, mgilmer1@iuhealth.org

On a day set aside to honor excellence in nursing, Melissa Alstott, associate chief nursing officer for operations and interim CNO for Riley Children’s Health, asked an auditorium filled with nurses to reflect on the day they committed to their career of caring for people.

“You all should be incredibly proud,” she said. “This morning, we celebrate excellence, we celebrate commitment, and most importantly, we celebrate you for showing up, for pushing through the hard days and for choosing this profession again and again.”

Each of the nearly 140 award nominations represents a moment when someone saw excellence, compassion, advocacy or teamwork, she said.

“And they felt compelled to say in writing that this matters. We celebrate all the extraordinary nurses of Riley.”

Margaret Martin-Roth Award: Among those reflecting on their start at Riley many years ago was Laura Blazier, this year’s Margaret Martin-Roth Award winner. The award, named in honor of a legend at Riley, is the most coveted nursing award at the hospital. It is presented annually to someone who embraces the spirit and skills of the former director of nursing at Riley, who worked with Dr. Morris Green to help transform pediatric care. Martin-Roth, who had attended previous Riley Nurses’ Awards programs, died in 2023 at age 102.

Blazier, described as a “superstar” nurse, is a clinical nurse specialist for Riley’s NICUs. In the nomination written by Mary Jo MacPherson, NICU quality improvement consultant, Blazier is recognized for her neonatal clinical expertise as well as her work in evidence-based nursing research and quality and safety initiatives.

“Reading Margaret Martin-Roth’s biography, I am repeatedly struck by how every description of this venerable nursing icon mirrors what I am coming to learn about (Blazier),” MacPherson wrote.

“Not only is she a brilliant and consummate nursing professional who routinely goes above and beyond, but it is obvious that she also truly embodies the Riley values of compassion and caring for her patients and team, as well as the purpose and total dedication to excellence that has helped make Riley a top provider of NICU care in the U.S.”

For her part, Blazier said being selected for the award by her Riley colleagues is an incredible honor, and she offers a word of advice to new nurses:

“Find what you’re passionate about and really focus on that. There are lots of ways that we can make an impact in nursing, so finding the thing that you really connect to, that’s what will take you far.”

Other nominees: Jerica Rapp (SFT NICU), Erin Roach (ED), Maggie Hay (Burn Unit), Sandra Linhart (ED), Ashley Cantlebarry (nurse navigator inpatient rehab).

Nurse Excellence Award: Denise Ortega (SFT NICU and ECMO).

Ortega is described as someone who “consistently fosters strong, collaborative relationships across the unit,” by nominator Laura Smith.

“Known as a steady presence, (she) maintains composure in high‑acuity situations and communicates with clarity and respect, which reassures both peers and families. Colleagues frequently seek out this nurse for support when facing complex patients or unfamiliar clinical scenarios, trusting in her ability to guide them with patience and practical insight.”

Others nominated: Kaitlyn Buelow, Emily Rausch, Paula Thatcher, J'Aimee Naughton, Jess Bender, Valerie Love, Matthew Mast, Brandon Hawk, Anna Foster, Erin Newbill, Connie Neuzerling, Ellen Phegley, Monica Lough, Grace Roembke, Shelby Mundy, Christy Doss, Paul Plowman, Kaylynn Gray, Patricia Stanifer, Ashley Lineback.

Daisy Nurse Leader Award: Keegan Caughey, 9W

“Through his authenticity, patience and unwavering presence, he earned the trust and respect of 9W in a way that felt both natural and profound,” said nominator Hettie Smith. “He makes it a priority to ensure every team member feels heard, valued and appreciated. What truly sets him apart is that before he is a leader, he is a team member. He stands beside us, not above us. He puts himself in our shoes, shares in our frustrations and victories, and allows himself to feel the same emotions we do. He leads with humility, never letting pride or ego prevent him from acknowledging when something isn’t right.”

Others nominated: Andrea Purdy, Laura Smith, Jessalynn Parsley, Katrina Copeland, Kasey Wilken, Lisa Shostrand, Sara Murff, Kristin Elbert/Cassie Lanahan, Rachel Sperka, Sarah Timberlake, Jennifer Brown, Erin Kramer, Emily Dever.

Daisy Team Award: Pediatric Sickle Cell Disease Nurse Navigator Team – Brenda White, Sharla Jones, Erica Starks.

“Children living with sickle cell disease face not only a lifelong, complex medical condition, but also systemic barriers, stigma and fragmented access to care. In this landscape, continuity and trust are not luxuries, they are essential to survival,” said nominator Dr. Seethal Jacob, director of the Comprehensive Pediatric Sickle Cell Program at Riley.

“The nominated team at Riley Children’s Health has become the foundation of that trust. As the first nurse navigator team of its kind at IU Health, what began as a single navigator quickly expanded to three in response to the measurable and transformative impact of their work.”

Others nominated: PICU Leadership Team, Inpatient Rehab, PGC Labor and Delivery Committee Chairs, Interventional Radiology, 8 WEast, 5 West, Riley Cardiac Cath Lab, Riley Interventional Radiology Nurses, Riley CVICU, Behavioral Health, PICU Team, 3W Heart Center, NPCU, Vascular Access Team, Riley ED, Riley Burn Center.

Coach Award: Kruti Patel, Mother-Baby.

The winner “consistently demonstrates exceptional dedication to supporting new hires, embodying the IU Health values of Team, Excellence, Compassion and Purpose,” said nominator Makaylah Lucas. “They create a high‑quality learning environment where new team members feel supported, welcomed and empowered to grow into confident contributors within the Riley nursing culture.”

Other nominees: Callie Sharkey, Annjeanette Laws, Jenna Heckathorn, Bailey Lenig, Sandra Linhart, Roxanne Klampe, Ali Davidson, Jessica Shupe, Maggie Hay, Kelsey Yoder, Megan Thompson, Samantha Spencer, Jana White, Logan Shake, Lynlie Closson, Kayla Beckett, Sharon Albright, Katie Klemple.

Brittany Gaskins Award: Callie Sharkey, inpatient rehab.

Others nominated: Savannah Burke, Van Thluai, Nick Payton, Ashanti Promise, Lauretta Allen, Kate Remijan, Emily Kreuzman.

Stephanie Pottenger Award: Katherine Lawson

Riley Children’s Foundation Educational Grants: Natalie Blakemore, Maternity Tower; Rachel Sperka, CVICU; Kelly Butler, inpatient rehab; Nikki Ayala, PICU.

Partner in Care Award: Andrew Christie, critical care supply/equipment tech.

Others nominated: Cynthia Youngman, Haley Meister, Lauren Broniarczyk, Tellesa Hadley, Katherine Carter, Nancy Attebury, Damita Perkins, Aniyah Parnell, Nancy Attebury, Abbie Jacks, Jourdan Edmondson, Nicholas Pease, Zakyra Huff, Allie Kenneally, Cora Miller, Olivia Rodriguez, Freddy (Alfredo) Saucedo, Anesthesia CAA/CRNA Group, Lexis Morley, Jessica Torres-Torres, Araceli Frazer, Jamie Redkey, Kylee Hunter, Julie Smith, Haley Meister, Alex Spicer, Riley Maternity Certified Anesthesiologist Assistants (CAAs) & Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs), Isabella Joanou, Taylor Quinonez, Emily Barto, Emily Mueller, MD.

Photos by Mike Dickbernd, IU Health visual journalist, mdickbernd@iuhealth.org