Four UTSW nurses inducted into DFW ‘Great 100’ of 2017

The next time you see Tomas Armendariz Jr., Shelly Blacketer, Denise Bulpitt, or Candice Coker walking the halls of UT Southwestern, give them two thumbs up and congratulate them: This year, they were selected to join the ranks of the DFW Great 100 Nurses. 

“For the past 27 years, the mission of the DFW Great 100 Nurses has been to recognize Registered Nurses for their contributions to their communities and the way they practice both the art and science of nursing,” says Victoria England, MBA, BSN, RN, NE-BC, President-elect of DFW Great 100 Nurses and Magnet Program Director at UT Southwestern’s Office of Nursing Excellence. 

Each year, the Great 100 organization honors 100 RNs in the community who were nominated by their peers and selected for being role models, leaders, community servants, compassionate caregivers, and significant contributors to the nursing profession. 

Honorees were chosen from more than 700 nominations across North Texas. 

“Congratulations to our four newest ‘Great 100’ nurses,” says Chief Nurse Executive Susan Hernandez, MBA, BSN, RN. “These nurses pour themselves into their work, and I’m so proud to call them colleagues. Every day, they strive for excellence in care, making a difference in our patients’ lives, and advancing the mission of UT Southwestern.” 

The nurses will be honored at the 27th DFW Great 100 Nurses celebration on April 17, at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas.

Here’s a snapshot of UTSW’s Great 100 of 2017.

Tomas Armendariz Jr.

B.S.N., RN, CMSRN, Staff Nurse

Tomas Armendariz Jr.

Years as a nurse: 15

Specialty: Apheresis

Why did you go into nursing?

My spiritual gift is to care for others and offer a servant’s heart. It is rewarding to know that in nursing, our patients trust us to be their voice and advocate in a time of need and vulnerability.  

What does being named a Great 100 Nurse mean to you?

It validates my dedication to patient care and makes me want to work harder to improve the patient experience. It is a great honor and very humbling to know that my work is recognized and appreciated.

 

Michelle ‘Shelly’ Blacketer

B.S.N., RN, OCN, BMTCN, Staff Nurse

Shelly Blacketer

Years as a nurse: 5

Specialty: Bone Marrow Transplant/Oncology

Why did you go into nursing?

I was drawn to nursing because it’s a unique profession that transcends the job. It allows me to serve others in a personal and hands-on way at work, at home, in my community, and anywhere in the world.

What does being named a Great 100 Nurse mean to you?

I am absolutely humbled because I could have never received such an honor if it were not for the opportunities I have been given and the people I have had the privilege of working with, nurses and patients alike.

 

Denise Bulpitt

B.S.N., RN, IBCLC, Lactation Consultant

Denise Bulpitt

Years as a nurse: 32

Specialty: Maternal Child Nursing

Why did you go into nursing?

I enjoyed working with people and life sciences. The decision to become a nurse was easy for me. I can’t imagine being anything else!

What does being named a Great 100 Nurse mean to you?

After being a nurse for 30-plus years I feel incredibly honored to have been named as a Great 100 Nurse by my peers.

 

Candice Coker

RN, B.S.N., Assistant Nurse Manager, Medical ICU

Candice Coker

Years as a nurse: 5.5

Specialty: Adult Critical Care

Why did you go into nursing?

My sister and husband are my nursing inspiration. My husband is also in medicine, and my sister’s experience with childhood and adulthood cancer diagnoses influenced me to become a nurse. This inspires me to care for my patients as if they are my family. 

What does being named a Great 100 Nurse mean to you?

The heart of nursing is to care for others. To receive an award that exemplifies this is an unexpected and humbling honor. To me it means affirmation for a job well done and encouragement to press on in my career.