Elsevier recognizes four nurse professionals in fourth annual Superheroes of Nursing Contest

Outstanding nurse professionals recognized by peers in fourth annual Superheroes of Nursing Contest 

Elsevier, a world-leading provider of scientific, technical and medical information products and services, today announced the 2014 Elsevier Superheroes of Nursing. Now in its fourth year, the program was created to honor real-life superheroes who perform outstanding work in the field of nursing.

There are four types of heroes: The Protector; The Validator; The Educator; and The Informer.

The 2014 Elsevier Superheroes of Nursing are:

• Blessie A. Garcia, The Protector, staff nurse at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, celebrated for her ability to build a solid base of information and reinforcing it at the point of care and everywhere.
• Tessa Neis Osmena, The Validator, RN III in the Cardiovascular Care Unit at Houston Methodist Willowbrook Hospital, honored for building a positive culture around the right ways to work and the right things to do.
• Melissa Davis, The Educator, a divisional nurse educator at Memorial Health Care Systems (CHI Memorial Health Care Services), Hixson Campus, recognized for her deep understanding of the way people learn - and how best to apply that knowledge.
• Richard Bear, The Informer, RN II in Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Houston Methodist Willowbrook, noted for his deep understanding of the information and tools nurses need to make fast, confident decisions.

The contest, which began during National Nurses Week in May, is a national initiative to recognize nurses on the frontlines of care and education. This year, more than 2,800 votes were cast through the contest's website at ElsevierHeroes.com.

"The role of nursing in an ever-evolving world of healthcare has become increasingly critical to care delivery and patient outcomes," said Michelle Troseth, MSN, RN, DPNAP, FAAN, Chief Professional Practice Officer, Elsevier. "Elsevier is proud to recognize and honor the tremendous value nurses bring to patient care and in educating the profession's next generation."

Winners will be recognized at a reception at the ANCC National Magnet Conference October 8-10, 2014 in Dallas, Texas.