ILWACO – Three nurses from Ocean Beach Hospital and Medical Clinics have been nominated for the Western Washington Nurse of the Year award.

Denise Ross, Mary Thorsen and Jami Greenfield have each been nominated for the annual March of Dimes award that recognizes outstanding contributions by nurses in 14 different categories, including education, leadership, patient care and rising stars.

Ross, who has been with the hospital for more than 16 years, was nominated for outstanding contributions to community health and education. A certified diabetes educator, she helped establish the hospital’s diabetes education program and has continually expanded classes and services the hospital offers to the community.

Thorsen, the surgery department manager, was nominated for outstanding leadership. In addition to heading the surgery team, Thorsen was instrumental in implementing the SCOAP surgical safety checklist initiative at Ocean Beach Hospital last year. Ocean Beach was one of just 15 pilot hospitals in the program, which was later adopted by every hospital in the state. She has been with the hospital 17 years.

Greenfield, an oncology nurse at Ocean Beach Medical Clinic, was nominated in the Rising Star category. In the year she has been with the clinic, Greenfield has helped start a cancer support group and has worked with drug companies to provide chemotherapy drugs for cancer patients who could not otherwise afford treatment.

“This event spotlights the pivotal contributions nurses make,” said Dr. Ivan Law, oncologist and chief of staff at Ocean Beach Hospital. “It also recognizes there is a wealth of talent in small communities like ours.”

This is the eighth year of the contest. Winners will be announced at an awards breakfast at the Meydenbauer Center in Bellevue, Dec. 9.