Congratulations 2013 Advanced Practice Provider Excellence Award Winners

Congratulations to Georgia Ditzenberger, PhD, RN, NNP-BC (Nurse Practitioner, Neonatology & Newborn Nursery), and Lynne Sears, MS, RN, CPNP (Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Critical Care) as recipients of the first annual UW Health Advance Practice Provider Excellence Award. The award was created to recognize Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants throughout UW Health who demonstrate outstanding clinical practice, teaching and leadership.

Georgia received the Excellence in Teaching Award. She is a dedicated and innovative educator whose outstanding work in educational program development and simulation training has directly and significantly improved the care provided to our most vulnerable pediatric patients. Georgia has trained and mentored nurses, nurse practitioners, fellows, residents, and medical students both locally and regionally. Georgia has authored numerous publications and presented at national conferences on neonatal care. Georgia is an outstanding teacher who has made important contributions to the educational mission of UW Health.

Lynne received the Excellence in Clinical Practice Award. She is an expert in pediatric critical and palliative care. Her expertise and clinical skill improve the function of the pediatric ICU as a system. Lynne’s expertise is only matched by her remarkable warmth and sincerity in dealing with patients and families. In addition to the care of her patients, Lynne has been vital to teaching nurses, faculty and medical trainees, developing protocols for care of critically ill children and improving PICU services. Lynne has become a vital person in the care of infants and children at American Family Children’s Hospital and UW Health.

Congratulations and thank you Georgia and Lynne!