In honor of National Nurses Week, Bridgton Hospital announced that Karen Harding, R.N. is the 2017 recipient of the Winnie R. Moore, R.N., Clinical Nursing Award. The presentation took place on Monday, May 8 during the annual Winnie Moore Breakfast celebrating all that nurses do every day.
Each year the Medical Staff recognizes a nurse for their outstanding clinical skills and contributions to the hospital.
According to Wenda Saunders, M.D., of Bridgton Pediatrics, “[Harding] has held several different roles including Nursing Supervisor, Clinical Coordinator, Swing Bed Coordinator, and In-Patient Nurse Manager, and her most recent, Employee Health Nurse. While she may have moved in and out of roles, there was and is one role that has held steady and that is her role as Bridgton Hospital’s Certified Wound and Ostomy Nurse. The Winnie R. Moore, R.N., Clinical Nursing Award speaks directly to Harding’s clinical excellence in the area of wound care as well as prevention.”
Harding also spearheaded Bridgton Hospital’s Wound Treatment Associate Program. The program, created by the Wound, Ostomy and Continence Nurses SocietyTM (WOCN), features a WOCN certified nurse overseeing practicing Registered Nurses working to achieve the same certification. Harding has used this certification process to support a robust wound care program at Bridgton Hospital.
Dr. Saunders presented the award, an engraved commemorative Revere pewter bowl. In addition, Deb Noble, R.N., the 2016 Winnie R. Moore, R.N., Clinical Nursing Award recipient, handed down a candle in a simple wood candleholder representative of Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing and the “Lady with the Lamp.” In addition, Harding’s name will be added to the permanent plaque located on the Kendal and Anna Ham In-patient Wing of the hospital.