KANSAS CITY, Mo., (Sept. 23, 2024) – The Research Foundation’s annual continuing education awards given to health care workers at regional hospitals have been presented to Research Medical Center employees. Walter Moore is the 2024 recipient of the Hal M. Quinn Excellence in Nursing Award and Dylan Shimerda is the 2024 recipient of the Kathy DeGrande Award for Excellence.
Moore is a licensed practical nurse (LPN) in the Research Medical Center float pool. He has been recognized by his management team and peers for going above and beyond, delivering personalized care to all his patients. His coworkers view him as an outstanding employee and mentor, “It doesn’t matter if he is on or off the clock. If I have questions, Walter is available! He keeps me updated on my scope of practice. He has been a great mentor from the start! If there is something I am unsure of he doesn’t just tell me, he makes it a teachable moment. I truly appreciate all that he does. He really goes above and beyond and makes sure I am confident and knowledgeable.”
The Hal M. Quinn Excellence in Nursing Award was created in honor of former board member and chairman of The Research Foundation, Hal Quinn. Quinn passed away in May 2013. The award provides $1,500 for continuing education to a nurse who commits to excellent patient care, has an interest in the welfare of others, inspires nurses to be their very best; serves as role model for other nurses, possesses personal integrity, and is involved in the community.
Shimerda is the program director of the Research Medical Center’s School of Nuclear Medicine. After working as the clinical coordinator for the school, he began to build it as a premier place to study nuclear medicine technology. Under his direction, every student has passed their national registry and progressed into various positions around the Kansas City area. A current student of the program describes him as “the most devoted instructor I have ever had. He is constantly giving us the most up-to-date information. He gets to class early and stays late almost every day, making sure he has everything ready for the next lesson. Dylan will lend an ear if you want to talk about your day or just ask a question. I have never met someone who is so passionate about teaching everything there is to know about nuclear medicine.”
The Kathy DeGrande Award for Excellence was created to honor Kathy DeGrande, former vice president and chief financial officer at Research Medical Center and Research Belton Hospital, now Belton Regional Medical Center. DeGrande passed away March 2000. The award provides $1,000 for continuing education to a full-time or part-time health care professional that is committed to excellence, abiding interest in the welfare of their co-workers, has a zest for life, and a sense of humor.
Both awards are given annually to area health care professionals who work at hospitals in the region including AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, Belton Regional Medical Center, Cass Regional Medical Center, Centerpoint Medical Center, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Golden Valley Medical Center, Liberty Hospital, Olathe Medical Center, Research Medical Center, Truman Medical Center, and Western Missouri Medical Center. Funds can be used to attend local, regional, or national symposiums or applied to tuition, textbooks, journals, and other professional materials. Recipients can also accept the award as a taxable stipend.
The Research Foundation supports professional development in health care through several other continuing education opportunities. Visit theresearchfoundationkc.org/what-we-do to learn more.
