JBER nurses win March of Dimes award Published Jan. 21, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Jack Sanders JBER PAO JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska -- Three Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Nurses were among the 18 winners for the 2010 March of Dimes Nurse of the Year award for the Alaska district. Air Force Capt. Brandy Dales, 673d IPTS nurse (Maternal/New born category), Air Force 2nd Lt. Angie Dendy, IPTS nurse (RNs who, within the first 18 months of practice, exemplify outstanding caring leadership and professionalism) and Maggie Gannon 673d MSGS, Women's Health Nurse(Women's Health category) all won in their respected categories. According to the March of Dimes website, www.marchofdimes.com/alaska, the March of Dimes Nurse of the Year event recognizes nurses in eighteen categories. Each category recipient is an RN or LPN whose leadership and contributions have made significant impact in their community and the profession of nursing, the website said. All three candidates were nominated to the category by either their friends, peers, other healthcare professionals or their patients. Up to 100 nurses compete in the competition with only 18 winners. "I was selected for the maternal child nurse of the year which covers, Labor and Delivery, Post Partum, and nursery," said Capt. Brandy Dales. All nurse of the year candidates are nominated for providing the utmost care to their patients. "I enjoy my job," Dales said. "I think the best care is when a doctor is actually at the bedside talking with their patients." Judges said they had a hard time deciding on the winners. "I appreciate what they did for us," Dales said. "It was a wonderful evening when we received their awards and all the things they do for the community, so it was really appreciative that I got it from them because they are an organization that provides a lot for the community." For more information on the March of Dimes of Alaska, visit www.marchofdimes.com/alaska.