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NAH nurses awarded by March of Dimes

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Three Northern Arizona Healthcare nurses, all based at Flagstaff Medical Center, won awards at the Arizona March of Dimes 2015 Nurse of the Year Awards Gala.

This yearly event is a way to celebrate nursing excellence and recognize nursing leaders from across the state. Nurses throughout Arizona were nominated in one or more of 17 different categories. NAH had 63 nominees — the most nomination by the state — 12 finalists and three winners. Those winners are: Cindy Beckett, M.S.N., Ph.D., RNC-OB, in Nursing Leadership, Administration and Management; Jason Syracuse, M.S.N., in Critical Care; and Heidi Young-Blackgoat, B.S.N., in Emergency Department.

Beckett, a three-time winner of the Nurse of the Year award and 19-year resident of Flagstaff, has worked at FMC for more than 17 years. She said she went into nursing because she wanted to help people optimize their health and well-being. She continued her education in order to teach, lead and mentor staff. Her greatest accomplishment is seeing students she taught and staff she mentored demonstrate excellence in practice, leadership and teaching; and taking on their own mentorship roles.

"I love being a nurse and being able to make a difference for the patients, families and staff who I have had the pleasure of working with," Beckett said. "I am truly honored that one of my staff nominated me for this award and to be recognized for doing what I am so passionate about."

Syracuse began his career at FMC when he joined the Critical Care Training Program in January 2014 — but his journey toward nursing began in the summer of 2008 when he volunteered with No More Deaths, a humanitarian, nonprofit that provides water, food and medical assistance to migrants along the Arizona-Mexico border during summer months. Through this organization, he underwent Wilderness First Responder training and developed a passion to care for those who cannot care for themselves or their loved ones. He went on to volunteer with the Southern Arizona Rescue Association; furthering his medical training with the Outdoor Emergency Care curriculum while attending prerequisite classes for nursing school.

He is now in his second year as a nurse and his first year of critical care service.

Syracuse said he is honored to be nominated and receive this award.

"I feel a tremendous amount of pride to be a member of an organization and team that strives to provide the most up-to-date and highest quality care possible," he said. "I am looking forward to the opportunity to further develop unit and hospital-wide process improvement and educational goals."

Young-Blackgoat has worked at FMC for almost five years. She chose nursing after experiencing FMC's excellent midwifery-led prenatal and post-partum nursing care. As a new graduate nurse at FMC, she was able to build the foundation that shaped her as a nurse, and she said she finds her role in the Emergency Department exceptionally rewarding.

For Young-Blackgoat, the March of Dimes award is a celebration of her department and the many health care providers who have influenced, mentored and supported her to this point in her career.

"I believe it extends recognition to Trauma Services at FMC and the care they provide not only to the local community, but the greater Northern Arizona region," she said. "I was humbled by the nomination alone, the award reaffirms that pursuing your vocation is worth it."



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