WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing Alumna Wins National RN Award

SPOKANE, Wash. — Washington State University Intercollegiate College of Nursing alumna Susan Fleming has won the grand prize in the 2004 Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award presented by Cherokee Uniforms. A registered nurse, Fleming is a 2004 graduate of the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing registered nurse to Bachelor of Science in nursing program. 

The national recognition program honors nurses and non-physician health care professionals who have touched the lives of others through exceptional service, sacrifice and innovation. The award acknowledges the dedication of these health care professionals and expresses admiration for their intelligence, skill, compassion and devotion.

Born with only one hand, Fleming was selected the grand prize winner in the registered nurse category from among the nearly 1,700 other nominations submitted in four health care categories.

The Grand Prize Winner in each of four categories receives an all-expense paid cruise for two to the Cayman Islands and a crystal 2004 Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award trophy. Each winning nurse also receives a $1,000 medical wardrobe featuring the best of Cherokee Uniforms and Rockers footwear, a custom engraved Ultrascope stethoscope, a commemorative gold pin and inclusion in Cherokee’s 2005 Inspired Comfort Award calendar to be distributed nationwide.

The crystal trophy will be presented to Fleming at 1 p.m. Oct.6 during a recognition and celebration ceremony held at the College of Nursing campus, located at 2917 W. Fort George Wright Drive in Spokane. Fleming’s family, College of Nursing administrators, faculty, staff and students, and nursing colleagues from Deaconess Medical Center and St. Joseph’s Hospital will be present to honor and celebrate Fleming’s award.

Fleming recently has been a teaching assistant at the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing teaching undergraduate students during their clinical rotations at Deaconess Medical Center in Spokane. Currently, she is an on-call RN in the mother-baby unit at Deaconess, and a supplemental RN in the obstetrical unit at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Chewelah, where she also teaches birthing and CPR classes.

In addition to her role as a practicing RN, Fleming spends time advocating for nurses with disabilities and serves as a board member for ExceptionalNurse.com, a non-profit resource network dedicated to individuals with disabilities in the nursing profession.

Donna Maheady, a colleague from ExceptionalNurse.com who has worked collaboratively with Fleming for many years, nominated her for the award.

“Susan uses personal innovation in her nursing practice every day when starting IVs, giving injections and catheterizing patients, all with one hand,” Maheady said in nominating Fleming. “She serves as a role model for other students and nurses with disabilities and demonstrates daily that a career in nursing is possible in spite of a physical limitation.”

According to materials provided by Cherokee Uniforms, Fleming was selected for her relentless determination to become and serve as a nurse, as well as her advocacy for nurses with physical challenges. To read more about the 2004 Cherokee Inspired Comfort Award, visit https://www.cherokeeuniforms.com/inspiredcomfort/winners_2004.htm.

Established in 1968, the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing is the nation’s first, oldest and most comprehensive nursing education consortium. Celebrating 35 years of world class nursing education, the WSU Intercollegiate College of Nursing offers baccalaureate, graduate and professional development course work to nursing students enrolled through its four consortium partners: Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, WSU and Whitworth College. Each year the college educates more than 700 graduate and upper-division undergraduate students and prepares more entry-level nurses than any other state educational institution. For more information about the College of Nursing visit the Web site at nursing.wsu.edu.