Ambridge Resident Recognized as Exceptional Healthcare Professional

Picture at the back from left to right are Peggy Renne, RN, BSN, Nurse Manager Progressive Care Unit at Heritage Valley Sewickley, Linda Homyk, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer at Heritage Valley Sewickley, and Barbianne Davis, RN, winner of the 10th annual Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award.  Pictured in the front is Barbianne’s mother, Carolyn Juber.

Moon Township, PA and Los Angeles, CA, (February 18, 2013) - Cherokee Uniforms, a leading provider of medical apparel and footwear, today announced that Barbianne Davis, an Ambridge, Pa. resident and registered nurse (RN) with Heritage Valley Health System, is a winner of the 10th annual Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award.  Barbianne is among five healthcare professionals across the country to be named an award winner, selected for their impact on the lives of others through extraordinary patient care, sacrifice and innovation while serving as an inspiration to others. Barbianne is a national Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award winner in the RN category. 

The Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award recognizes the significant contribution of these professionals to today’s society, while reinforcing the vital role of these professions in keeping Americans healthy. From staging the largest bone marrow drive in the state to rushing to the scene of a fire after a long day of work, the winners were selected for going above and beyond their job descriptions to selflessly serve others in a way truly inspiring to their peers.

“Cherokee is thrilled to recognize Barbianne Davis among this year’s winning healthcare workers who not only are models for providing exceptional patient care, but also influence and motivate their peers, and sometimes even entire communities,” said Michael Singer, Chief Executive Officer of Cherokee Uniforms.  “We are very proud to honor Barbianne and all of those serving in these critical, often life-saving, professions who combine dedication, intelligence, skill and compassion to benefit thousands of patients every day.”

Home late from an evening shift, Barbianne heard about a large apartment fire in her town and set off at midnight to help – her nursing license and certifications in hand. Alongside the firefighters and the Red Cross, Barbianne was a first responder. Until almost dawn, she triaged and monitored residents and firefighters exiting the building; nine residents and three firefighters were treated at area hospitals. The next day Barbianne proactively worked with the Red Cross, advocating for and personally helping these newly homeless people to find shelter, all while mobilizing a team of individuals and churches to raise money for hotel rooms and gift cards for affected families. Barbianne continued her follow up for weeks until each family she had been working with received appropriate resources and housing. As a result of her efforts, the county began “Beaver County On-Call,” a program uniting 16 groups and churches who pledged to pay for at least a week at local motels for those displaced due to a natural disaster.

“I like my work as a registered nurse because I have the unique opportunity to serve others at a time when they are most vulnerable,” Barbianne said.  “In a culture where we are so often left to fend for ourselves, nursing has allowed me the chance to give to others in a way that has lasting effects.”

“Barbianne’s compassion and competence in her role on the Progressive Care Unit at Heritage Valley Sewickley impacts our patients and their families each and every day,” said Linda Homyk, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer of Heritage Valley Sewickley.  “She is an exceptional nurse and we are so proud of her for winning this national award!”

The 2012 winners of the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award were announced in conjunction with its 10th anniversary. More than 10,000 healthcare professionals have been nominated since the inception of the award.  The award honors winners in categories including: Registered Nurses, Advance Practice Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses/Licensed Vocational Nurses, students enrolled in nursing schools, and other non-physician healthcare professionals. Judges selecting honorees include Cherokee Uniforms professionals, national nurse leaders and former Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award recipients.

The grand prize winner in each category will receive an all-expenses-paid Caribbean cruise for two, and all other winners will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to a 2013 medical conference of their choice in the continental US.  All winners will receive a wardrobe featuring the best of Cherokee Uniforms and Cherokee Footwear, a value of $1,000; a crystal Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award trophy; a 14K gold-plated commemorative pin; a year’s subscription to Scrubs, the nation’s first lifestyle magazine for nurses; and a $500 donation in their name to the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation.

Additionally, Cherokee Uniforms will donate $1 for each nomination received during the 2012 nomination period to Nurses House, a national fund that provides short-term financial assistance to registered nurses facing hardships.

For more information and details on the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award, visit www.inspiredcomfort.com, Twitter @InspiredComfort or Facebook.com/cherokeeuniforms. The 2013 award nomination period opens on April 2nd. Healthcare professionals and students enrolled in nursing schools may be nominated on www.inspiredcomfort.com or on paper nomination forms available at Cherokee Uniforms retailers across the US.