Valley-Wide Health Systems’ Chief Medical Officer Emelin Martinez, FNP, and Director of Nurse-Family Partnership Greta Roberts have been named 2019 Nightingale Luminaries. Martinez and Roberts were both celebrated this past Friday night in Alamosa and were selected as Nightingale Luminary recipients for their dedication to the healthcare industry and nursing profession.
Both Martinez and Roberts will represent Valley-Wide in Denver at the 2019 Colorado Nightingale Luminary Awards Gala on May 11th.
“I am honored and proud to have received this recognition,” Roberts noted. “To be selected as a Nightingale Luminary and a finalist for Colorado nursing’s highest honor is surreal.”
As the Director of Nurse-Family Partnership, Roberts oversees a program that provides a myriad of supports to first-time mothers. The program’s specially trained nurses regularly visit young, first-time moms-to-be, starting early in the pregnancy, and continuing through the child’s second birthday.
“The field of Nursing has always been and still remains one of my greatest passions in life,” Roberts said. Roberts is a Registered Nurse and has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
Martinez is a Family Nurse Practitioner and serves as Valley-Wide’s Chief Medical Officer. Within her role, Martinez oversees the entire medical service line for Valley-Wide, including nursing and medical providers.
“It is an honor to be recognized by my San Luis Valley nursing colleagues as a Nightingale Luminary,” Martinez stated. “I am proud to represent all nurses from VWHS at the state event in Denver.”
In addition to Martinez and Roberts being named Luminary Award Winners, Sammy Martinez, who is also a nurse with Valley-Wide, was a Nightingale Luminary Nominee. Sammy’s nomination was especially meaningful, as it came from a patient.
This past Friday’s event was held at Adams State University and hosted by San Luis Valley Area Health Education Center (SLV AHEC). Valley-Wide’s Director of Nursing, Dr. Denise Trujillo, was the keynote speaker and shared her thoughts on the special calling of being a nurse.
The May Gala in Denver will honor all Luminaries who are recognized in two categories: Nurses in Clinical Practice and Administrators, Educators, Researchers & Non-Traditional Practice Roles. Within each category, nurses are recognized in one of three areas: Advocacy, Leadership, and Innovation. For 2019, the Colorado Nurse foundation will honor up to 60 Nightingale Luminaries statewide.
“Congratulations to Emelin and Greta as they were selected to attend the 2019 Nightingale Luminary Award Evening Gala,” Trujillo stated.
