Award Title: John S. Dunn Foundation Advancing Nursing Excellence Early Careerist Nurse Award
Date: September 26, 2023
Location: Houston Methodist Research Institute

Winner: Thelma Ekezie

  • Award:
    • Monetary Amount: $5,000
    • Lapel Pin: Selected by Mrs. Crosswell, Advancing Nursing Excellence Council, and Gail Vozzella
    • Certificate of Recognition
    • Bouquet of Flowers
  • Dunn 10 East
  • VP: Susan Zylicz
  • Director: Ayoka Badmus
  • Manager: Shawntay Fernandez

Nomination Summary:

  • Thelma Ekezie:
    • Engaged in Shared Governance as Magnet Champion.
    • Spearheaded ‘What Matters Most’ project and presented at the national Magnet Conference.
    • Weekend Lead Charge Nurse, Preceptor for new nursing staff.
    • Notable community service through church’s food distribution program.

Pictures from Event:

 Thelma with the John S. Dunn Foundation trusteers and Advancing Nursing Excellence members
Thelma with the John S. Dunn Foundation trusteers and Advancing Nursing Excellence members
 Thelma with the John S. Dunn Foundation trusteers and Advancing Nursing Excellence members
Thelma with VP Susan Zylicz, Roberta Schwartz, and Gail Vozzella

Full Nomination:

Thelma is a highly engaged member of Shared Governance, holding the esteemed role of Magnet Champion. Her leadership stood out when she spearheaded the ‘What Matters Most’ project, which she then presented at the national Magnet Conference, showcasing her commitment to advancing the field. In addition to her governance roles, Thelma serves as the weekend lead charge nurse, taking on additional responsibilities to ensure the smooth operation of her unit. She also acts as a Preceptor, mentoring new nursing staff and setting high standards for patient care. Thelma has a remarkable ability to communicate with compassion and empathy, offering invaluable emotional support to her patients and their families. 

Outside the clinical setting, she invests in self-care by engaging

in exercise and travel. Her travels are not merely leisure activities; they serve as cultural learning experiences that she artfully integrates into her patient care. Thelma is not only a dedicated individual but also someone who wholeheartedly believes in the importance of community service. Thelma doesn’t just participate in her church’s food distribution program; she emerges as a driving force behind its success. Committed to ensuring that less fortunate members of the community have access to nutritious meals, she takes on a leading role, managing various aspects from food collection to distribution. Thelma’s commitment shines through as she consistently goes the extra mile to bring a smile to the faces of those in need.