2008 Winners

2008 Winners
2007 Winners

Craddock-Terry Excellence in Nursing Practice Award
The Craddock-Terry Excellence in Nursing Practice Award was established 18 years ago by the late Roland Peters, then president of the Craddock-Terry Foundation, as a way to reward nurses who provided excellent patient care.At the time of establishment, there was a nursing shortage and morale among nurses was low.It was felt that an award such as this would inspire those nurses already established in their careers and perhaps attract others considering nursing as a profession.In addition to awarding nurses for their excellent practice, the Craddock-Terry Foundation had also contributed $240,000 to Lynchburg General Hospital and $60,000 to be used in the nurses’ residence at Virginia Baptist Hospital.The foundation also has supported many nursing scholarships over the years.The Craddock-Terry Foundation is no longer active, but to continue the tradition of awarding our nurses, the Lynchburg Retail Merchant’s Association agreed to continue the program.

The Craddock Terry Excellence in Nursing Award Recipients consistently model excellence in: Clinical Performance, Quality Improvements and Patient Safety, Professional Development, Resource/Mentor/Teacher, Positive Professional Image, and Leadership. The program is especially meaningful because recipients are nominated by their peers. Centra sponsors the annual Craddock-Terry Excellence in Nursing Award dinner and ceremony.

Since 1991, 189 nurses from each division and both hospital campuses have been nominated by their peers, meeting rigorous criteria to demonstrate they are the model of nursing excellence.Nurses from Medical-Surgical, Home Health, Critical Care, Women and Children’s, Emergency Nursing, and Mental Health have been honored with the awards.The program expanded in 2008 to include two new categories--Nurses as Teachers and Nursing Leadership.

Attendees include not only previous recipients but also nursing staff, community dignitaries and family members of the award winners.Each nurse receiving an award speaks about the reasons they are proud to be a Centra Nurse and gives recognition to their mentors and those who have helped along the way.They are highlighted in the local newspaper and their names are also proudly displayed on our Craddock Terry Plaques. Year after year, peers view these nurses as the “best of the best”.

The winners’ comments are featured in a nursing video each year and can be viewed on the Centra Health Web Site.  Considered the most prestigious local award in nursing at Centra, we look forward to our 2009 award recipients and nominees being honored at a very special banquet.