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2023 Excellence in Nursing Awards - Direct Care

Photo of Marie Cuffee

Marie Cuffee
B.S.N., RN
RN II, 8 Orange Acute Stroke Unit/Epilepsy Monitoring Unit

From her nominator: “She is known as the ‘Safety Queen’ and utilizes the latest evidence-based practice when caring for patients. Her desire to serve is evident, whether it be as a preceptor, charge nurse, or bedside staff. She personifies compassion and grace, and all who encounter her express their joy in having her as a peer and her dedication to grow others. She does not just want change, she drives it. Her positive demeanor, caring heart, and a ‘can-do’ attitude make her a very approachable and highly impactful team member.”


Photo of Joscelyne Dracca

Joscelyne Dracca
M.S.N., RN, APRN, GNP-BC, ACHPN
Advanced Practice Provider, General Internal Medicine

From her nominator: “This amazing nominee helped to pioneer the first-ever Palliative Care program at UTSW. As a founding team member, she has promoted excellence in patient care on a daily basis and models highly effective methods of team communication. She is the glue that holds the team together and a strong advocate for allowing patients to have the best possible support when they are nearing the end of life. One of her most well-known gifts is planning moments for patients to have their last wishes fulfilled; this includes hospital weddings for dying patients and family meetings that encourage the expression of love and support.”


Photo of Rebecca Eagle

Rebecca Eagle
B.S.N., RN, AMB-BC
Ambulatory RN, Internal Medicine – Pulmonary Clinic

From her nominator: “Rebecca has become a pillar for our immunocompromised patients. She has established a rapport and trust with these patients by working hard for them and providing consistent communication. She cares for our immunodeficiency patient population in addition to all of her allergy clinic responsibilities. The number of additional tasks she completes astounds me. Her drive and commitment to patient care set the bar for nursing here at UT Southwestern.”


Photo of Mary Mallory

Mary Mallory
RN, PPCNP-BC
Senior Advanced Practice RN – Pediatrics

From her nominator: “She is the bedrock of our clinic. She continues to be a point of contact for community providers who reach out to her from all over the North Texas area on neonatal HIV recommendations. She follows mothers with HIV intently and guides them through their postpartum issues with the same tender touch even though she has been doing this for 30 years. She is extremely proud now that her previous patients are now coming back to her practice with their children; she is considered a grandmother figure to this new generation.”


Photo of Shauntel Oyewole

Shauntel Oyewole
B.S.N., RN, CMSRN
RN II, 6 Blue/Green – Medical-Surgical

From her nominator: “As a charge nurse, Shauntel always remains calm and collected and excels during stressful situations. Working on a fast-paced unit, you will never see Shauntel become flustered. She is always willing to assist her co-workers without hesitation and encourages both her patients and peers to maintain positive attitudes. As a preceptor, Shauntel is a wealth of knowledge and is patient and nurturing. She takes them under her wing and makes sure that they are successful in their learning objectives.”


Photo of Caitlin Remaklus

Caitlin Remaklus
B.S.N., RN
Ambulatory RN Coordinator, Neurological Surgery

From her nominator: “Caitlin never has to be asked to step into any role that requires additional support; she jumps in enthusiastically. During her graduate school clinical rotations in the Neuro Intensive Care and Neurological Surgery inpatient units, she has helped bridge the social work gap for our patients being discharged from the hospital. Recently, our social worker relocated to a different clinic. In their absence, after Caitlin had completed her clinical rotation hours, she helped with the discharge planning gaps that a social worker would have done.”

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