OR Manager Conference award winners honored

Editor's Note

The OR Manager of the Year Award has long been a highlight of the annual OR Manager Conference, and this year’s winner was recognized on Thursday, September 19, along with winners of two other awards.

The 2019 OR Manager of the Year recipient is Vangie Dennis, MSN, RN, CNOR, CMLSO, executive director of perioperative services at Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center’s downtown and south campuses in Atlanta. Dennis has taught laser safety to nurses for much of her 46-year career, and has been instrumental in eliminating surgical smoke at some facilities and promoting Enhanced Recovery After Surgery. Her commitment to providing the best possible patient care inspired leaders to follow her from Emory Healthcare and Ambulatory Surgery Centers to Wellstar, where she has received 100% trust ratings from her direct reports.

The Emerging Leader Award went to Denise Martinez, MSN, BSN, RN, CSSM, director, Perioperative Services & Ambulatory Surgery Center, at Houston Methodist Baytown Hospital.

Peggy Fuentes, MHA/ED, BSN, RN, nurse manager for ASU/PACU, at Northwell Health/Manhattan Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, received the first ever PACU Manager of the Year Award.

The winner of the Best in OR Business award will be announced and celebrated during the 2020 OR Business Management Conference in Weston, Florida (January 27-30). For more information, visit www.ormanager.com/events.