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Nurses fall on hard times like everyone else. That’s why for every healthcare professional or nursing student nominated for the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award through May 31, 2011, Cherokee Uniforms will donate $1 to Nurses House, a national fund that provides short-term financial assistance to registered nurses facing serious hardship.

 Would you also consider helping Nurses House help more nurses? Your contribution can make a world of difference for a nurse who’s having a hard time!

Cherokee Uniforms congratulates the recipients of the 2009 Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award – and now you can too!!!

Simply visit the winners’ award pages (by clicking on their photos at left), read through their inspirational stories and nominations, and then leave your comments and kudos! (And to read interesting behind-the-scenes tidbits on the award and its winners, follow “InspiredComfort” on Twitter for additional timely updates.)

These winners represent a variety of healthcare professionals, from hospital employees and visiting nurses to dental hygienists and nurse anesthetists. Each one was chosen for their exemplary service and care to those in need—going above and beyond what’s expected of them.

“The recipients of the 2009 Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award illustrate the power that a single healthcare professional with a vision can have on their communities, region and on their fellow man a world away,” says Michael Singer, CEO of Cherokee Uniforms. “Each is a sparkling example of the excellence that healthcare professionals provide to countless patients across America, and we are honored to salute these recipients.”

A panel of Cherokee representatives and past Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award recipients selected the honorees. The candidates were nominated for their exceptional service, sacrifice and innovation in one of four categories: Advanced Practice Nurse, Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse, and Non-Physician Healthcare Professional.

Since the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award was established in 2003, more than 7,000 healthcare professionals have been nominated in the Registered Nurse, Advanced Practice Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse, Student Nurse and Non-Physician Healthcare Professional categories. A panel of Cherokee representatives and past Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award recipients evaluates nominations and grants the awards.

They may look dog-eared and abused but to Irene Sekle, a student enrolled in the Presbyterian School of Nursing at Queens University of Charlotte, NC, old nursing textbooks offer hope for healing and a bright future for a nation. Sekle left her home country of Liberia to pursue her childhood dream of nursing and hasn’t lost sight of home. Though just a student, she already is investing her newfound skills and resourcefulness to help future nurses in the African nation.

Knowing how valuable textbooks – even old ones – are in Liberian schools, Sekle has collected more than 400 of the books and shipped them to a Liberian nursing school at her own expense.

For her profound commitment to the future of the nursing profession, Sekle is one of 10 honorees nationwide to win the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award in 2008. The award is granted by Cherokee Uniforms to recognize nurses and other non-physician healthcare professionals who demonstrate exceptional service, sacrifice and innovation and have a positive impact on others’ lives. This is the 6th year Cherokee Uniforms has honored inspirational caregivers, with hopes that the winners’ stories will encourage the nation’s brightest students to enter the healthcare professions.

“Irene Sekle is fulfilling a fantastic dream to give back to those in her homeland who are less fortunate, and by reaching into her own pockets to help make it happen, she is potentially benefitting an entire nation,” says Wendell Mobley, who directs the company’s charitable and scholarship programs. “Although she hasn’t yet earned her degree, she has already touched the lives of so many.”

Each semester, Sekle collects old, unwanted nursing textbooks from instructors and the local hospital library to send to a nursing school in Liberia, where they’re desperately needed. The students are overjoyed to receive them. She’s paid more than $1,000 of her own money to ship the books, in order to place them into the hands of her fellow students in Africa.

Sekle has also implemented some of the skills and knowledge she’s obtained through her nursing education. On a recent trip to Liberia, she witnessed a shortage of healthcare providers and basic lifestyle counseling first hand. When she checked blood pressures of local residents, she was shocked to see how many people had very high blood pressure yet were unaware of their risk of cardiovascular disease. She counseled them about their lifestyle choices and sent them for further evaluation by a physician at a free clinic.

“It is fantastic that, as a student nurse, Irene can see beyond her own needs to help others,” expresses Michelle Hokanson, a 2005 recipient of the award and one of this year’s judges. “The fact that she has the foresight to see that these books could still be used and is recycling them in a country that values them is terrific. She has taken this task upon herself. Just think what she will be able to accomplish in the future.”

Sekle was inspired to become a nurse after watching the popular American television medical drama Marcus Welby, MD. “I was amazed by the miracles being performed in the operating room, and I wanted to be a part of those miracles,” she says. “I am proud to say that I am following my dream, after so many years. I feel that God has called me to be a blessing to His people.”

Sekle was nominated by Melinda Armstrong, one of her professors at the Presbyterian School of Nursing at Queens University of Charlotte. As a Grand Prize Winner in the award’s Student Nurse Category, she receives an all-expense-paid Caribbean cruise for two, a wardrobe featuring the best of Cherokee Uniforms and Cherokee Footwear worth more than $1,000 and a trophy. She will also be featured in Cherokee’s nationally distributed 2009 Inspired Comfort Award calendar.

Since the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award was established in 2003, nearly 7,000 healthcare professionals have been nominated in the Registered Nurse, Advanced Practice Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse, Student Nurse and Non-Physician Healthcare Professional categories. A panel of Cherokee representatives and past Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award recipients evaluates nominations and grants the awards.

For every nomination in 2008, Cherokee Uniforms donated $1 to Nurse’s House, a national fund that provides short-term financial assistance to registered nurses facing serious hardship. Proceeds from Cherokee Uniforms products support healthcare professionals through initiatives such as the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award, an annual calendar and the A Nurse I Am Film and Scholarship Program. Cherokee Uniforms will be accepting nominations for the 2009 Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award beginning March 1st through May 31st, 2009.

Putting smiles back on the faces of her patients despite their circumstances is all in a day’s work for Marie Coleman, CHHA, CNA.

Just months ago, a 92-year-old woman who was experiencing a significant decline was admitted to Homeside Hospice, in Clark, NJ, where Coleman works as a home health aide. By spending time to find out about the woman’s life before her illness, Coleman was able to bring the patient out of her depression, giving her hope for improvement. Shortly after, the patient began eating again and shocked everyone with her newfound enthusiasm and desire to get out of bed.

Coleman is known for going above and beyond the call of duty, often spending extra time with her patients to ensure they are receiving the care they need. She is a true hero of nursing, overtaken by care and compassion. Her patients consider her as more than a caregiver; in fact, most of them would call her a friend.  A true patient advocate, she is someone they trust and feel comfortable around. Whether it’s to help them eat, get dressed or take a bath, they ask her for assistance without feelings of embarrassment. For her continued devotion to her patients, she has received the prestigious Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award. She is one of only 10 honorees nationwide in 2007.

The award is granted annually by Cherokee Uniforms to recognize nurses and other non-physician healthcare professionals who demonstrate exceptional service, sacrifice and innovation and have a positive impact on others’ lives.  This is the 5th year the leading designer and manufacturer of healthcare apparel has honored inspirational caregivers.

Coleman always goes out of her way, driving far from home and putting in extra hours without monetary compensation. When asked why she enjoys what she does, Coleman comments,”I like my work because of the feeling of joy it gives to me. It warms my heart to see the difference I can make in someone’s life when they need help.”

Coleman was nominated for the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award by her friend and co-worker, Nora Bertocci, who said,”Giving care to her patients is Marie’s job, giving them love and compassion is her way.”

As a Grand Prize Winner in the award’s Non-Physician Healthcare Professional category, Coleman receives an all-expense-paid Caribbean cruise, a crystal award and a wardrobe of Cherokee healthcare apparel. She also will appear in the nationally distributed Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award 2008 calendar.

Since the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award was established in 2003, more than 5,300 healthcare professionals have been nominated in the Registered Nurse, Advanced Practice Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse, Student Nurse and Non-Physician Healthcare Professional categories. A panel of nursing professionals and Cherokee representatives evaluates nominations and grants the awards.

For every nomination, Cherokee Uniforms donated $1 to national health-centered charities. The total amount was divided equally among the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and the Alzheimer’s Association. Since 2005, Cherokee has donated over $3,300. Proceeds from Cherokee Uniforms products support healthcare professionals through initiatives such as the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award, an annual calendar and the A Nurse I Am Film and Scholarship Program. Cherokee Uniforms will be accepting nominations for the 2008 Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award beginning March 1, 2008 through May 31, 2008.

Marie Coleman is not only an employee and co-worker, but also a friend and someone who has provided support and assistance to both my family and my friends over the years in her capacity as a home health aide.

Marie is truly one of those unique individuals that enjoy her mission in life. Many people go to work in order to secure a paycheck, and it obvious to anyone watching them work that there is no passion in their role. They are there simply because they need to work. That is not the case with Marie. She takes pride in her work, something that is often missing these days. She provides care to her patients not because it is her job to do so, but because caring for those less fortunate is her calling. She gives her all in everything she does. She provides patients with their basic needs such as bathing and feeding with love and gentleness. Giving them care is her job, giving them love and compassion is her way.

If Marie’s car is not working, she will find some other way to get to her patients. Not showing up is just not an option for her. She stays beyond her assigned hours if someone needs her, on her own time, and does so with a smile. The smile I have seen on the faces of our patients and their families when Marie arrives makes my day brighter. She always accepts any assignment, no matter how far from home or what the hours are, and treats each and every one of her patients with respect.

As a hospice nurse, it always saddens me to see a patient that is not experiencing quality in the time they have remaining, to spend with their friends and family. Many patients, understandably, become despondent and depressed, more focused on their terminal illness than on the time they have left. This past year, after admitting a patient who was experiencing a significant decline, I assigned Marie to the case. I knew that if anyone could bring light into the day of this sweet 92-year-old patient, Marie could. When the patient came onto our hospice service, she was not eating much, not communicating much, and wanted to be left alone. Through patience, compassion and persistence, Marie brought her out of her withdrawal, and the patient began to look forward to each day, rather than dreading it as another long day after another long day, waiting for the last day. By taking an interest in her patient as a “person”, not a “patient”, Marie was able to find out about what interests the patient had, what foods she liked, and what activities had brought her joy. Focusing on these, rather than on the patient’s illness, the patient began to eat more, to want to get out of bed for the first time in a long time, and to take an interest in seeing tomorrow, next week, and next month.

Given a very poor prognosis upon admission to hospice, a prognosis of days or weeks, it was surprising to all of us (except Marie) that the patient was still with us, smiling and now enjoying a newfound enthusiasm for life, several months later. While the patient still continues to decline, and her physical weakness continues to progress, her emotional growth and strength amazes all of us, even the most seasoned hospice nurses.

I credit Marie with giving months of life to this special patient, months filled with special memories with her family friends, months of enjoying activities that make her smile, months of enjoying foods.

Joan works at the cancer center, giving chemotherapy and working with the physicians. She was involved in taking care of a patient that had Acute Leukemia. The patient was from Sudan and had no home here. She was quite sick and had to rely on Medicaid transportation to and from the office. Sometimes the patient would have to wait for hours after receiving treatment to be picked up. Joan worked with the physician taking care of this patient and formed a strong bond with her. Joan actually took the patient into her own home, set up a bedroom for her and took care of her. Joan arranged for transportation with the help of people in her church for the patient.

The patient ended up needing a bone marrow transplant and Joan diligently worked to get the patient’s brother here from Sudan. Joan had to get signatures and worked with the government to help and get him here. Senator Elizabeth Dole was involved in bringing the patient’s brother here. The patient’s brother was a match for the transplant. Joan attended doctor’s visits with the patient, which involved going to another city to a University for the transplant. Once that patient’s brother arrived in the United States, Joan took him into her home also.

Prior to the transplant Joan took the patient and her brother to the beach. They had never seen the ocean. Joan took them on this trip after working a full week. After several procedures and the transplant she had both the patient and the patient’s brother living with her. The patient went through a tremendous ordeal. Unfortunately, the patient did not survive the intense treatments. Joan provided a safe, comfortable place for the patient and her brother during this hard time. She was their friend and they in turn became part of Joan’s “family.”

Joan also was instrumental in planning the patient’s funeral here in the states and also transporting her body back to Sudan. She worked full time while all of this was going on. She definitely went above and beyond the call of duty. I feel she should be considered for this award because of all that she did with this patient.

Like most people embarking on their first ride on an airplane, Fawn Fitz was excited. This LPN was traveling with a group of nine parents and children from Central Middle School in Charlotte County, where she lives, to attend the national competition of Odyssey of the Mind at Iowa State University. So of course, she was also elated about that, especially since one of the children attending the scholastic competition focusing on math and science was her daughter.

Their return flight on May 27th turned hectic – from changing planes to delayed flights to tracking down baggage, “Nothing seemed to be going right,” Fawn explained. “We ended up in Chicago, and honestly we weren’t ever even supposed to have been there.” While rushing to change planes in Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport – one of the largest and busiest airports in the country – Fawn and her group passed a crowd of people. She noticed they were gathered around a lifeless man on the floor. “People were just standing there. As soon as I saw him, I knew he wasn’t breathing. He was blue. No one was doing anything other than saying, ‘Sir, can you hear me?’ One person was waving at him. I couldn’t let that happen. This man needed help and fast! I knew I had to do something for him. Call it nursing instinct, but I went into action.”

While many people would have kept on running to catch their plane, Fawn instantly responded, throwing down her bags, checking the man for responsiveness and a pulse. “He had no pulse. He wasn’t breathing. He didn’t have anything,” she said. She had a medical mouth shield (microshield) in her pocket, something nurses commonly use in emergencies, took it out and started CPR. She soon learned paramedics were on their way and that another nurse was in the vicinity. The other nurse took over chest compressions while Fawn continued artificially breathing for the man, constantly monitoring his progress.

A crowd grew around her, as did the tension. But Fawn kept her focus on this man. She didn’t know his name. She didn’t know how old he was, if he had a family, if he had ever been to Chicago before, or seen the Atlantic Ocean. But what she did know was that he was in grave danger and could possibly die if she didn’t continue – even if it meant missing her plane. “Missing my plane didn’t matter. This man needed help. I asked the airport personnel to get on the radio and tell the paramedics to step on it”.

Fawn then learned that the airport had a portable AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) – an emergency device used to “shock” a patient with no pulse in hopes of “jump starting” the heart. After shocking the man twice, Fawn finally managed to get a very faint and very slow heart rhythm. “He was still in trouble. I just wanted those paramedics to get there so we could get this man to a hospital as soon as possible,” Fawn said. Finally, the paramedics arrived. “As soon as I saw them, I started screaming, ‘Ya’ll need to intubate him!’ And they did!” she smiled.

The man was quickly rushed to a nearby hospital and calm soon returned. Fawn was credited by airport personnel, airline staff and bystanders as having saved the man’s life.

In appreciation of her heroic actions, the airline held the plane for her and then offered her four first-class tickets for her and the other adults in her party for their return flight home. But in her true humble style, Fawn refused them. “There were nine of us. The adults could have sat up there, but that would have left the children in coach by themselves. I couldn’t leave my children,” Fawn said with a soft smile.

And as far as being credited with saving the man’s life, well, Fawn has simply handled that with humility and dignity. “I just did what needed to be done and what any nurse should do,” she explained. “I believe God put me there at that moment for a reason, because there were so many reasons that our group shouldn’t have even been there. But I believe God put us there. And I will always wonder what God has in store for that gentleman and what great things He has planned for him. His life was spared that day for a reason, and if I was able to help with that, well, I’m honored.”

Cherokee Uniforms is pleased to announce 10 winners of the 2007 Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award. Selected from over 1,000 nominations nationwide, the winners represent a cross-section of healthcare facilities, from VA medical centers and regional cancer centers to community hospitals and home hospice providers. Although each winner has their own distinct story about caring for others, all of them share the same mission day after day – to provide the best care possible to those in need.

“Cherokee Uniforms is proud to honor these 10 outstanding individuals for their dedication, skill, compassion and devotion. This award was created to acknowledge healthcare professionals who often sacrifice their own desires to fulfill the needs of others,” said Michael Singer, president and CEO of Cherokee Uniforms. “We hope the winners’ stories will inspire all healthcare workers to continue giving their best. We also hope they encourage others to consider careers in this rewarding industry.”

A panel of nurse leaders, former Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award recipients and Cherokee Uniforms professionals selected the honorees who were nominated for their exceptional service, sacrifice and innovation by colleagues, friends and family. Nominations were received in five categories: Advanced Practice Nurse, Registered Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse, Student Nurse and Non-Physician Healthcare Professional.

Joan Delk, a registered nurse at the Moses Cone Regional Cancer Center, in Greensboro, NC, stops at nothing when it comes to making sure that a patient is receiving the best care possible – even if that means taking a patient into her own home. For the personal sacrifices and exceptional care that she provided to a cancer patient from Sudan, Delk has received the prestigious Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award. She is one of 10 honorees nationwide in 2007.

The award is granted annually by Cherokee Uniforms to recognize nurses and other non-physician healthcare professionals who demonstrate exceptional service, sacrifice and innovation and have a positive impact on others’ lives. This is the 5th year the leading designer and manufacturer of healthcare apparel has honored inspirational caregivers.

“Cancer patients demonstrate a lot of courage and endurance,” says Delk.”People dealing with cancer have a different perspective on life. Their priorities change with the new diagnosis and they can teach you a great deal about life and getting your priorities right.”

Delk became very attached to a female patient who had come to the United States from Sudan to receive treatment for Acute Leukemia. The woman had no family in the United States and was relying solely on Medicaid for transportation to and from the cancer center. At times, she would wait for hours after treatment before someone arrived to take her home.

Delk decided to take it upon herself to create a comfortable place for the patient to stay by inviting the woman into her own home. She spent countless hours outside of work setting up a bedroom and caring for her needs. Additionally, Delk worked with people at her church to arrange adequate transportation to and from the center for the woman.

When it was decided that the patient would need to undergo a bone marrow transplant, Delk worked tirelessly with the government to get the patient’s brother to the United States. When he finally arrived, she tested him and found that he was a match for his sister. Delk also invited him into her home and, prior to the transplant, took them both to the beach to see the ocean for their first time. Although the woman didn’t survive the treatments, Delk continued to assist the family by playing an instrumental role in planning her funeral and arranging for her body to be sent back to Sudan.

As a Grand Prize Winner in the award’s Registered Nurse category, Delk receives an all-expense-paid Caribbean cruise for two, a crystal award and a wardrobe of Cherokee healthcare apparel. She also will appear in the nationally distributed Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award 2008 calendar.

Since the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award was established in 2003, more than 5,300 healthcare professionals have been nominated in the Registered Nurse, Advanced Practice Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse, Student Nurse and Non-Physician Healthcare Professional categories. A panel of nursing professionals and Cherokee representatives evaluates nominations and grants the awards.

For every nomination received in 2007, Cherokee Uniforms donated $1 to national health-centered charities. The total amount was divided equally among the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and the Alzheimer’s Association. Since 2005, Cherokee has donated over $3,300. Proceeds from Cherokee Uniforms products support healthcare professionals through initiatives such as the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award, an annual calendar and the A Nurse I Am Film and Scholarship Program. Cherokee Uniforms will be accepting nominations for the 2008 Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award beginning March 1, 2008 through May 31, 2008.

When you’re a nurse, there is no telling where you will encounter someone in need of your assistance. It could be in a park, a department store or even your local supermarket. For Fawn Fitz, LPN, a nurse at Community Memorial Healthcenter in South Hill, Va., it was Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. For her courageous and life-saving actions that day, she has received the prestigious Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award. She is one of only 10 honorees nationwide in 2007.

The award is granted annually by Cherokee Uniforms to recognize nurses and other non-physician healthcare professionals who demonstrate exceptional service, sacrifice and innovation and have a positive impact on others’ lives. This is the 5th year the leading designer and manufacturer of healthcare apparel has honored inspirational caregivers.

Fitz was on her way home from a national competition in which her daughter participated. Although the event took place at Iowa State University, she and her party ended up in Chicago when their flight plan was suddenly changed. She was rushing through the crowded airport to change planes when the unthinkable happened; she came upon a man who was lying on the floor, seemingly lifeless. Without hesitation, she threw her bags down and sprung into action as a first responder. Finding the man had no pulse, Fitz pulled out a medical mouth shield and began administering CPR. She continued artificially breathing for the man while another nurse arrived and began giving him chest compressions.

Fitz kept her undivided attention on the man, despite the large crowd of people that had gathered around to watch. After learning that the airport had an Automatic External Defibrillator, she used the device to shock the man twice. He finally began to regain his heart rhythm. Fitz smiles as she recalls, “As soon as I saw the paramedics, I started screaming ‘Ya’ll need to intubate him!’ And they did.”

She was nominated for the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Awardby her colleague, Susan Helms, who commented that although Fitz was credited by airport personnel, airline staff and bystanders for saving the man’s life, she has responded with humility and dignity.

“I just did what needed to be done and what any nurse should do. I believe God put me there at that moment for a reason because there were so many reasons that our group shouldn’t have been there,” says Fitz.

As a Grand Prize Winner in the award’s LPN/LVN category, Fitz receives an all-expense-paid Caribbean cruise for two, a crystal award and a wardrobe of Cherokee healthcare apparel. She also will appear in the nationally distributed Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award 2008 calendar.

Since the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award was established in 2003, more than 5,300 healthcare professionals have been nominated in the Registered Nurse, Advanced Practice Nurse, Licensed Practical Nurse/Licensed Vocational Nurse, Student Nurse and Non-Physician Healthcare Professional categories. A panel of nursing professionals and Cherokee representatives evaluates nominations and grants the awards.

For every nomination received in 2007, Cherokee Uniforms donated $1 to national health-centered charities. The total amount was divided equally among the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association and the Alzheimer’s Association. Since 2005, Cherokee has donated over $3,300. Proceeds from Cherokee Uniforms products support healthcare professionals through initiatives such as the Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award, an annual calendar and the A Nurse I Am Film and Scholarship Program. Cherokee Uniforms will be accepting nominations for the 2008 Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award beginning March 1, 2008 through May 31, 2008.