Pediatrics

Vonecea Brusha, RN, charge nurse for the Mother/Baby unit at Shand’s Children’s Hospital at the University of Florida, has been named the National Prize Winner in the Registered Nurse category of the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award. The award recognizes nurses and other non-physician healthcare professionals for exceptional services, sacrifice and innovation. Brusha accepted the award at a Dec 16, 2005 reception attended by members of the nursing staff and administration.

Brusha has more than 30 years of experience in the Mother/Baby unit and is well known throughout Shands at UF and the Gainesville community for her excellent clinical skills and spirit of compassion. She is a former board member of the National Black Nurses Association and is co-founder and current president of the Greater Gainesville Black Nurses Association, a local NBNA chapter.

“Ms. Brusha is a role model, educator and mentor who demonstrates exemplary nursing practice and advocates developing other nurses,” said Charise Fountain, MSW, a social worker with Shand’s Children’s Hospital and the person who submitted Brusha’s name to Cherokee Uniforms. “She exudes a caring spirit and reaches out to others in times of crisis.”

Brusha is passionate about education and improving the health of members of the community. She routinely organizes local heath fairs and presents health information at local and state conferences.

A panel of nurse leaders and Cherokee Uniforms professionals chose Brusha from nearly 1,300 nominations received for awards in four non-physician healthcare categories.

“I am pleased and honored to receive the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award,” Brusha said. “Nursing has been an important part of my life for more than 30 years. I get great satisfaction from helping new mothers learn about how best to care for their newborns and I especially enjoy working with our youth and encouraging them to make good health decisions.”

News & Notes, Shand’s Employee Newsletter – Vol. I  No. 7 – 2006,  Page 3