National Service Office awards recognize the exceptional commitment of NFP teams to improving the lives of families and communities
DENVER, COLO. (September 28, 2021) — Through its National Service Office, Nurse-Family Partnership ® (NFP), a national program serving first-time moms and their children affected by economic inequality, has awarded the Tenacious Caregiver Awards to four distinguished NFP providers at Re: Connect 2021, NFP’s annual education summit. In its second year as a virtual event, the summit provides the opportunity for NFP nurses to learn and connect across the country.
The recipients are: Julie Ackerman, an NFP nurse at the Boulder County NFP in Colorado; Stephannie Cooper Senegal,an NFP nurse supervisor at the Wake County NFP in North Carolina; Robin Bailey Callahan, an NFP administrator at the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians NFP; and the Northeastern North Carolina NFP at Halifax Community College.
The annual Tenacious Caregiver Awards are awarded to a nurse, nurse supervisor, administrator and network partner. The awards are given to professionals who exemplify an extraordinary commitment to delivering the NFP model and achieving positive outcomes for families.
“With heart and tenacity, these NFP leaders are honored for their outstanding service to their clients and greater communities,” said Kate Siegrist, chief nursing officer for Nurse-Family Partnership. “These tenacious caregivers have demonstrated their dedication to partnering with families to transform lives and build brighter futures for generations to come.”
The Tenacious Caregiver Award for Nurse is given to an exceptional NFP nurse who exemplifies commitment to the NFP model and families. This nurse serves a full caseload of at least 25 NFP families and seeks to assist the new moms to solve their own problems and be empowered to make lasting change in their lives.
This year’s recipient of the Tenacious Caregiver Award for Nurse, Julie Ackerman, has been an NFP nurse for 7 years and has completed more than 4,000 visits to new moms and families in Boulder County, Colorado. She always ensures that the client is the expert of her own life, while partnering with her to achieve positive outcomes. Ackerman currently serves a caseload of 26 families.
The Tenacious Caregiver Award for Nurse Supervisor is given to an exceptional NFP nurse supervisor whose team is at or above funded capacity and has high nurse retention. This nurse supervisor maintains fidelity to the NFP model, while encouraging the team to achieve and maintain its caseload. In addition, the supervisor advocates for their team and seeks out professional development opportunities for them.
This year’s recipient of the Tenacious Caregiver Award for Nurse Supervisor, Stephannie Cooper Senegal, has demonstrated what it means to be a strong leader and to support her team of nurses in consistently achieving positive outcomes for families in Wake County, North Carolina. During the pandemic, she went above and beyond in supporting the needs of her team of nurses. Senegal received five nominations for this year’s award, which noted her compassion and dedication to her role as supervisor.
The Tenacious Caregiver Award for Administrator is given to the outstanding NFP administrator who is at or above funded capacity, has high nurse retention, and who finds and secures multiple, sustainable funding streams for Nurse-Family Partnership in their community. The administrator also actively participates in the Community Advisory Board and advocates for the program at the local and state levels.
This year’s recipient of the Tenacious Caregiver Award for Administrator, Robin Bailey Callahan, has shown exceptional leadership to support her NFP team of nurses serving the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. She has built strong connections in the community with the tribal council and the program’s Community Advisory Board to increase support for Nurse-Family Partnership. With dedicated tenacity, Callahan’s work has provided extra support and resources to the families served by NFP.
The Tenacious Caregiver Award for Network Partner is given to an exceptional NFP network partner who is at or above funded capacity, has high nurse retention, high client retention and excellent graduation rates. The award is given to a network partner that pursues collaboration in the communities it serves, is a leader in innovation and stands as an example for others across the network.
This year’s recipient of the Tenacious Caregiver Award for Network Partner is Northeastern North Carolina NFP at Halifax Community College. This network partner has been a leader in the field of home visiting, maintained fidelity to the NFP model and achieved exceptional outcomes for families served. During the pandemic, Northeastern North Carolina NFP nurses have been dedicated to serving more families and carrying high caseloads of families. They have led innovative strategies to maintain their connections with their clients and keep their referral partners engaged.
All award winner recipients receive an engraved award and will be featured on the National Service Office’s Tenacious Caregiver Wall of Fame in the Education Center in Denver, Colorado.