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Eleven VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System nurses were nominated for Luminary Awards at the 2024 Denver Regional Nightingale Association Luminary Celebration on May 23, at the Hilton

Denver Inverness, with four earning the Luminary Award in their respective categories. The Nightingale Awards, so named for British nurse, Florence Nightingale, who is considered the founder

of modern nursing. Nightingale served as a field manager and trainer of nurses during the Crimean War, where she improved hygiene and living standards for injured troops. The award is

presented by the Colorado Nurses Foundation to nurses across Colorado who “...represent the best of more than 110,000 registered nurses in Colorado and are recognized for their leadership,

advocacy, and innovation,” according to the organization’s website. “The nursing body is the heart of the VA,” said Damon Toczylowski, VA ECHCS cardiology nurse practitioner, Luminary Award

recipient and Air Force retiree. “We’re the group that keeps the functioning within inpatient work, within clinics, every touchpoint you can think of in our institution. Nurses are the voice

of patients, the voice of patient advocacy. We’re the agents of healthcare to ensure that the plan of care established by the providers is maintained and implemented, and without the nurses

present, either at the local or the large VA level, then that wouldn’t happen.” The Luminary Award winners were Nikki Kemp, Sarry Moscatel, Damon Toczylowski and Asha Rani.  Nominees were

Yolande Andrea, Sarah Joy Flood, Mary Kubacki, Emilyanne Kukendall, Lori Lee, Jazzie Louis and Christine Ortega. The VA ECHCS winners were chosen based on their “...commitment to actions and

outcomes in caring for their patients, their profession, and their communities,” according to the CNF. “It’s important for our Veteran patients to know that they are being cared for by the

best of the best,” said Dr. Michelle Mountfort, VA ECHCS Associate Director Patient Care Services/Chief Nurse Executive. “VA nurses take their commitment to Veterans very seriously and take

action to ensure Veterans have the best possible outcomes. Veterans should find comfort and pride on our staff – especially in those nurses that have been recognized this year.”  The four

Luminary winners, who are chosen at the regional level, along with 74 other Luminary winners from various health care systems across the private sector, government and nonprofit

organizations from across Colorado, were chosen to represent their respective health care systems for the Nightingale Awards.  The awards cover several areas that focus on facets of nursing

concerning education, research, patient care and academia. This ensures that the whole scope of nursing is represented by the awards and their recipients. “These awards recognized the

excellence in leadership, advocacy, and innovation among nurses at VA ECHCS,” said Mountfort. “At times, we, as public servants, face challenges and inquiries. Awards such as these remind

all of us of why we choose VA and celebrate the excellent care and outcomes provided for our Veterans.” Even though the awards recognize individual nurses for their efforts, those selected

did not believe the award was theirs alone.  “It’s not just about self,” said Toczylowski. “It’s about the bigger community, and without the support of the [Veterans’] families,

coworkers—who are nurses—and my chief, none of this would have happened. You have to look at the support staff, the support that’s offered that allows for excellence and outcomes.” This

sentiment is also shared by VA ECHCS leadership. “VA nurses are integral members of interprofessional teams,” said Mountfort. “They work in collaboration with other health care providers and

play a vital role in ensuring the best quality outcomes for our Veteran patients. VA strives to empower Veterans to reach health goals and lead their best lives. This is often facilitated

by nurses, working in partnership with Veterans and their families.” Throughout the entire award process for Nightingale Awards, the VA ECHCS nurses selected demonstrated that regardless of

awards and recognition, they embody the spirit of the award’s namesake by striving to provide eastern Colorado Veterans with the quality care they have come to expect from VA ECHCS and the

VA. With this in mind, VA ECHCS Veteran patients can be safe in the knowledge that care they receive will be of the utmost professionalism and standards VA ECHCS has come to be known for.