NURSING ADMINISTRATOR WINS STATE AWARD

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- A Cape Girardeau nurse administrator has received statewide recognition for her contributions to the field of nursing.

Marcia Southard-Ritter, vice president of patient care at St. Francis Medical Center, was one of five registered nurses from across the state to be honored at the second annual "Tribute to Missouri Nurses," held Saturday evening in St. Louis.

Southard-Ritter was selected by an independent committee. The awards are sponsored by St. Louis University School of Nursing and St. Louis University Hospital Auxiliary.

More than 400 registered nurses from across Missouri were nominated for the awards. Southard-Ritter was recognized in the area of administration.

Reached Sunday, Southard-Ritter said she was surprised and honored to receive the award.

"There are well over 40,000 registered nurses in Missouri, and many of them are deserving of this same recognition," she said.

Southard-Ritter said she is proud that nursing as a profession was honored. She said the many options open to those who choose the nursing field, including research, patient care and administration, have helped the occupation's professional image.

But regardless of what option they choose, they all work for a common goal, she said.

"The center of all of this has to be the patient and patient care," she said. "Decisions made by nurse educators and those of us who don't do direct care all relate to how we can better the care facility and the nursing environment."

She said nursing is definitely a high-stress profession, but, "the rewards are well worth it."

As part of her award, she received $1,000 and a specially commissioned crystal sculpture, presented by the guest speaker for the event, actress Patricia Neal.

Southard-Ritter was named director of patient care administrative services at St. Francis in 1982, after 10 years at the hospital. She had worked as a staff nurse and head nurse in the intensive care unit.

She has been vice president for patient care since late 1982. She is responsible for overseeing all administrative activities relating to patient care at the hospital.

A native of Cape Girardeau, Southard-Ritter is a graduate of the Jewish Hospital School of Nursing. She received a bachelor's degree in nursing from St. Joseph's College in Maine and a master's degree in health service administration from Central Michigan University.

She and her husband, Dr. C. John Ritter, have five children and four grandchildren.

Other award winners were: Brandi Cominos, neurosurgery nurse clinician, Truman Medical Center, Kansas City; Louise Flick, associate professor, Saint Louis University School of Nursing and People's Health Centers Inc., St. Louis; Karen Kenney, staff nurse, pediatric intensive care unit, Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital, St. Louis; and Marilyn Rubin, professor of nursing and director for nursing research at Saint Louis University School of Nursing.

Saturday's black-tie event was held at the Adam's Mark Hotel in St. Louis.