Wanda-Ellithorpe Fletcher Occupational Health Nurse Leadership Award

Criteria & Eligibility

The Wanda-Ellithorpe Fletcher Occupational Health Nurse Leadership Award celebrates and recognizes nurse leaders in the occupational health field as a legacy and tribute to Wanda Elllithorpe-Fletcher.  Wanda was an innovator in occupational health, broke the glass ceiling for nurses, and proved that nurses have the leadership skills and business acumen to fill C-Suite positions beyond chief nursing officers in the healthcare industry.  She was an entrepreneur, mentor, and role model.

The Award was established jointly by the National Association of Occupational Health Professionals (NAOHP) and the Wanda Ellithorpe Fletcher Foundation.

Recipients of the award must be:

  • A registered nurse practicing in occupational nursing

  • Compassionate

  • Provide quality nursing care

  • Committed to occupational health

  • Possess the leadership skills to improve patient outcomes at their occupational health programs

  • Inspirational to their co-worker's growth and development.

Selection Criteria   

Demonstrates excellence and enthusiasm in these five areas:

 Delivery of patient care and initiating systems that broadly impact the patient experience; 

  • Communicating with employers, patients, families, and healthcare colleagues, using examples of specific incidents or systems changes that improve communications; 

  • Commitment to occupational nursing as a career, using examples of participation/leadership in workplace committees, completion of certification programs, or educational advancement; 

  • Examples of inspiring other nurses and healthcare professionals as role models. Inspire and organize the organization and individuals to give their time and talent to the surrounding community; and 

  • Demonstrates leadership skills and is adept in business development skills to grow their program.

 

Selection Committee

The Wanda Ellithorpe-Fletcher Occupational Nurse Leadership Award Selection Committee includes:

  • David Fletcher, MD, MPH, FACOEM; 

  • Katie Kelsch, BSN, RN, PHN;

  • Chaley Shipley, RN (the 2021 recipient of the Award); and 

  • A representative from NAOHP.

The final decision on the recipient is made by the NAOHP Board.

Award

Thie 2022 recipient will be recognized at the annual NAHOP conference on September 18-21, 2022, in Charleston, SC.  The recipient will receive a $1,000 cash prize.

Submitting Nominations:

  1. Each nomination must be accompanied by only two letters of recommendation addressing the selection criteria. 

  2. Each recommendation letter should be double-spaced and not exceed two pages.

  3. An organization or business can only nominate one nominee. 

  4. Deadline: Nominations may be made no later than July 31, 2022, at 5:00 p.m. CT and may be submitted online by clicking here.