ST. FRANCIS MEDICAL CENTER NAMES NURSE OF THE YEAR

Debra K. Richardson has been named Nurse of the Year at St. Francis Medical Center.

Richardson, a member of the medical center's patient-care team since 1977, has a bachelor's degree in nursing from Southeast Missouri State University and is currently working toward a master's degree in health administration.

Richardson was one of the first clinical nurses at St. Francis. She participated in writing policies and procedures for the clinical nurse program.

The award recognizes dedication to quality patient care, involvement in professional activities that have resulted in improved quality practice, and commitment to patients and the profession in both in-house and community issues.

Richardson, her husband and two children reside in Cape Girardeau.

Past recipients of the award are the late Dougie Manthey, June Oxford, the late Karen Scherer, Barbara Mueller, and Marilyn Duncan.