#GEMawards


Excellence in Education and Mentorship


An RN who contributes to nursing’s body of knowledge through formal nursing education, skills training or continuing education, or who guides, supports or infl uences nurses’ career development in meaningful, measurable ways through the art of professional nursing.


Carol Stevens, PhD, RN


Clinical Associate Professor, College of Nursing and Health Innovation


Arizona State University Phoenix


When Stevens heard her name being announced as a GEM winner, she said she felt “very surprised and in a bit of joyous disbelief that lasted the entire evening.” Stevens said the elegance of the GEM Awards gala added to the feeling of, “Wow, this is such a wonderful personal achievement.”


Stevens’ nursing career is fi lled with personal and professional achievements. In 2014, she was recognized by Arizona State University with the Dream, Discover, Deliver Award for her mentorship, teaching, research and leadership. That same year, she won Sigma Theta Tau’s Excellence in Leadership Award. The contributions Stevens has made through her affi liation with the Arizona Nurses Association also is a special source of professional pride.


When asked what makes her most proud, she pointed to the success of her students, especially “when they present their research and creative projects at local and regional conferences.” She said one of the most rewarding parts of being a nurse educator is “seeing students embrace their role as a nurse with all of the potential in the world to make a diff erence.”


Excellence in


Executive Leadership


An RN who is well-known and respected as a visionary, innovative leader and change agent; who moves the profession forward through work in patient care administration, education or research; or strengthens the profession through other professional activities, endeavors or contributions.


Kimberly Pearson, MHA, MBA, RN, CCHP


Deputy Agency Director, Correctional Health Services


County of Orange, Health Care Agency


Santa Ana, Calif.


Pearson said winning the GEM Award for Executive Leadership was meaningful to her because it was her staff that nominated her. “I deeply respect their eff orts and work ethic every day, and it is such an honor to feel as though they have appreciated my contributions as well,” she said.


Pearson oversees a team of more than 350 multidisciplinary healthcare employees in her job as deputy agency director for nine juvenile and adult correctional facilities in Orange County, Calif.


The greatest infl uence on Pearson’s career was her early decision to experience multiple areas of nursing and healthcare. Her work in urban and rural medical settings, critical care, emergency/ trauma and fl ight nursing, in addition to the criminal justice system, gave her opportunities to experience a wide variety of scenarios and situations “that have made me well-rounded and a quick learner.” She said the diversity of opportunities that nursing off ers makes it “an outstanding career choice.”


Pearson’s advice to any nurse who is striving to advance is to “truly immerse in the profession. The opportunities are endless if you stay focused and engaged.”


2016 • Visit us at NURSE.com 19


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40