Nurses reap honors at annual Nurses Week ceremony
By David Walter, Public Affairs Specialist
Outstanding nurses with the Zablocki VA Health Care System were honored May 4 during the annual Nursing Recognition Ceremony, which kicked off Nurses Week 2026.
Four nurses were honored with the 2026 Secretary Awards for Excellence in Nursing:
- LaFrancine Owens, nursing assistant/health tech/medical instrument tech
- Stephanie Paye, licensed practical nurse
- Amanda Kimberger, registered nurse
- Dr. Qiyan Mu, registered nurse in an expanded role
LaFrancine Owens
Owens, a nursing assistant, was celebrated for her exceptional commitment to patient‑centered care and her consistently positive impact on both Veterans and the interdisciplinary team.
Known for her attentiveness, she routinely assists patients beyond her assigned caseload and collaborates closely with registered nurses, promptly communicating changes in patient conditions.
Many patients request her by name, reflecting the trust and comfort she inspires. She pursues continuing education and applies new knowledge directly to daily practice, improving efficiency and team communication.
“LaFrancine never sits down in order to help as much as she can,” according to her nomination. “Colleagues frequently comment on her positive attitude, teamwork and ability to go above and beyond to meet the needs of Veterans. Her professionalism, reliability and compassionate approach set a high standard of care and inspire others on the team.”
Stephanie Paye
Paye was lauded for her exceptional leadership, dedication and commitment to patient safety within the Green Bay cardiology clinic.
She consistently elevates the standard of care for Veterans by proactively identifying and addressing safety concerns, including reporting a critical issue that led to important improvements in care quality.
Paye has streamlined clinic operations by closing gaps in patient testing, improving scheduling efficiency, and implementing a rotation system to ensure timely checks of reusable medical equipment.
As a unit peer leader for safe patient handling, she champions staff and patient safety through hands‑on training and oversight of assistive transfer device use.
Her contributions to the annual flu drive — from organizing supplies to addressing infection control concerns — demonstrate her thoroughness and reliability.
She also enhanced clinical documentation by developing new cardiology intake and nursing notes, strengthening workflow and accuracy.
“Stephanie embodies excellence in nursing through her dedication to patient care, collaborative teamwork and continuous professional development,” according to her nomination.
Amanda Kimberger
Kimberger, a nurse in the Domiciliary, was recognized for her work with Veterans receiving care through the Individualized Adaptive Care program.
As the primary RN for this specialized DOM team, she provides thorough, person‑centered assessments and develops individualized care plans for Veterans with complex needs, including those requiring unusually long stays.
Amanda’s collaborative approach has been vital in supporting Veterans with significant cognitive and behavioral challenges, where her calm, gentle presence creates a safe and therapeutic environment.
Beyond her clinical excellence, she is a dedicated mentor and preceptor for new nurses and senior nursing students, fostering professional growth across the unit.
“Amanda is an exceptional nurse, recognized for her compassion, Veteran-centered care and unwavering commitment to professional excellence,” according to her nomination. “Her dedication to evidence-based practice, interprofessional collaboration and mentorship has significantly advanced patient outcomes and elevated the standard care for Veterans.”
Dr. Qiyan Mu
Mu, a nurse scientist, was described as a transformational leader whose work elevates nursing excellence, research and evidence‑based practice across the VA.
As chairwoman of the Institutional Review Board, she oversees more than 100 active research protocols and leads a multidisciplinary board that advances human subject protections and research quality.
Mu plays a central role in national VA nursing research efforts, serving as co‑chair of the VA Nursing Research Field Advisory Committee and guiding a team of nurse scientists in implementing the VHA nursing research strategic plan.
Locally, she has built a strong evidence‑based practice infrastructure, developing assessments, training programs and mentoring networks that have empowered dozens of nurses to become evidence-based practice leaders.
Her impact extends to interdisciplinary education, fellowship programs, innovation workshops, and regional nursing conferences.
“In all Dr. Mu is a wonderful researcher, nurse scientist, mentor and role model for the nursing profession,” according to her nomination. “Her dedication, commitment and wonderful work exemplify VA nursing excellence.”
DAISY Awards
The following DAISY Award winners were also recognized at the event:
- Natasha Koehler, Ingra Wesby, Rebecca Chenfoo and Quanita Browne, individual DAISY honorees.
- Ketamine Infusion Development Team (Justin Katsma, Katie Wallander and Michelle Porter), Team DAISY honoree.
- Nicole Rauls, Wisconsin League for Nursing DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurse Educators.
BEE Awards
The Being Exceptional Everyday Awards, new this year to the Zablocki VA, are presented to exceptional nursing assistants, health technicians and medical instrument technicians.
The committee began taking nominations in August 2025 and has received 51 nominations to date. The winners for the timeframe of October 2025 to April 2026:
- Dorothy Mlay, nursing assistant on 4C
- Deatra Kirby, nursing assistant on 3C
- Sherri-Ann Price, nursing assistant on 5C