Awards nurses for exemplary commitment to patients and their profession
EFFINGHAM, Ill. — HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital honored all nurses during National Nurses Week, May 6-12, 2025, and proudly announces the winners of the 2025 Nursing Exemplar Awards.
HSHS St. Anthony’s Chief Administrative Officer Anthony Powers shared his pride in the care provided by the nursing staff. “Nursing is far more than a profession. It’s a true calling, rooted in compassion, service and an unwavering commitment to others. Each day, our nurses give of themselves wholeheartedly, caring for our patients and serving the Effingham community with exceptional skill and grace. We are deeply thankful for their steadfast dedication, their tireless work and the meaningful difference they make in so many lives.”
During National Nurses Week, St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital hosted the annual Nursing Exemplar Awards Ceremony. Nominations for various nursing awards were submitted by colleagues, physicians, leaders and others to highlight the above and beyond work of individuals who pursue excellence in their nursing role. Below is the full list of winners.
Ancillary Team Member of the Year
Bo Sapp, Emergency Room Tech
Rookie of the Year
Claire Cardinal, RN, Medical-Surgical Care
Preceptor of the Year
Tracy Wollin, RN, ICU
Clinical Excellence in Nursing
Jason Smith, RN, House Supervisor
Nurse Leader of the Year
Holly Simons, RN, Medical-Surgical Care/IV Therapy Nurse Manager
The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses for the past quarter
Hannah Reisner, RN, Women and Infants Center
Following in the footsteps of our founding Hospital Sisters for 150 years
This year is the 150th anniversary of the arrival of our founding Hospital Sisters of St. Francis in the United States, and the establishment of their ministry in Effingham. Accepting an invitation from Bishop Peter Baltes, Diocese of Alton, Illinois, 20 Sisters from Germany arrived in the U.S. on November 3, 1875. In addition to Alton, he sent small groups to Springfield, Belleville, Effingham, East St. Louis, and Litchfield. They learned English, introduced themselves to the people of the area, and began nursing care. Hospital Sisters Health System evolved from these humble beginnings and is now serving communities across Southern and Central Illinois and Eastern Wisconsin.
“It is a true honor to carry forward the Mission entrusted to us by the founding Hospital Sisters,” Powers said. “On behalf of the St. Anthony’s leadership team, I invite you to join us in extending our deepest gratitude to these dedicated health professionals. Their compassion, expertise and unwavering commitment to excellence continue to make a lasting impact on the lives of those we are privileged to serve.”
For more information about HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, visit stanthonyshospital.org.
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Photo Caption: HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital hosted their annual Nursing Exemplar Awards Ceremony during National Nurses Week. Shown left to right: Anthony Powers, Chief Administrative Officer; Bo Sapp, ER Tech, awarded Ancillary Team Member of the Year; Jason Smith, RN, House Supervisor, awarded Clinical Excellence in Nursing; Hannah Reisner, RN, Women and Infants Center, awarded the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses for the past quarter; Claire Cardinal, RN, Medical-Surgical Care, awarded Rookie of the Year; Holly Simons, Medical-Surgical Care/IV Therapy Nurse Manager, awarded Nurse Leader of the Year; Tracy Wollin, RN, ICU, awarded Preceptor of the Year; and Angela Kelly, Director of Nursing and Integrated Services.
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About HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital
HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital, Effingham, celebrating 150 years of serving the Effingham community, is part of Hospital Sisters Health System (HSHS), a nonprofit Catholic health care ministry founded in 1875. Dedicated to our Mission to reveal and embody Christ’s healing love for all people through high-quality Franciscan health care, HSHS clinicians provide exceptional care centered on the whole person. Based in Springfield, Illinois, HSHS employs nearly 11,000 colleagues who provide care in 13 acute-care, children’s and critical-access hospitals and home health and hospice programs in Central and Southern Illinois and Eastern Wisconsin. HSHS is aligned with more than 1,000 primary and specialty physicians and advanced practitioners through its owned affiliates HSHS Medical Group and Prairie Cardiovascular and its partnership with Prevea Health. For more information about HSHS, visit hshs.org.