Tamara Baker, MHA, BSN, RN, ARC Senior Clinic Operations Director, and Kathleen (Kathy) Kraft, APRN, MSN, FNP-C, Family Medicine and Associate Chief, Adult Primary Care Advanced Practice Clinicians (APCs), received top honors in the recent Austin American-Statesman's Recognizing Nurses campaign.
Tamara Baker took first-place Best In Class honors in the Administrator Leader category, and Kathy Kraft received third-place recognition in the Nurse Educator category.
The public and Austin American-Statesman readers were asked to nominate nurses in 18 categories in February and March. Judges considered how the nominees demonstrated exceptional leadership, compassion, or excellence in their healthcare role, and how they have made a meaningful difference in the lives of patients, families, and/or the broader community.
"What distinguishes Tamara's leadership is her commitment to patient safety and compassionate care, paired with the extraordinary ability to guide and mentor those around her, with her influence reaching all levels," read the nomination. "She inspires others around her to strive for excellence, ensuring no gap in patient care goes unfilled."
Kathy Kraft's nomination included that "what distinguishes Kathy is her ability to recognize an issue and transform it for the better," citing her commitment to diabetes care and management and building diabetes education programs. "Kathy has also led by example by personally training APCs across Austin to improve access to consistent and quality care."
ARC is proud of both women for their achievements, not only at ARC, but in the community, as nurses of the first caliber, and proud of the recognition they have received.
The Austin American-Statesman honored the winners in all categories in a special section in the Sunday, May 17, print edition.
Congratulations to Tamara Baker and Kathy Kraft on being recognized as Best In Class!