The award was presented by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

“Marika epitomizes the Pathway Standards of shared decision-making, professional development and well-being,” said Nurse Manager Angel Louder, MSN, RN-CMSRN, who supervises Widmann. “Her efforts keep staff engaged and excited to provide the highest quality of care – physically, psychologically and socially – to each patient.”

Every year the ANCC selects two nurses from Pathway to Excellence®-designated organizations around the world as a “Pathway Nurse of the Year” – one for leadership and one for direct care. The selectees must have positively impacted the practice environment by demonstrating remarkable skills in working collaboratively with team members and integrating clinical expertise with compassionate patient/resident interactions.

The award

This year’s winners were recognized at the 2022 co-located ANCC National Magnet Conference® and the ANCC Pathway to Excellence Conference® in Philadelphia.

Widmann was nominated by Louder and endorsed by Associate Director for Patient Care Services/Nurse Executive Valerie Rodriguez-Yu, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CENP.

In an effort to enhance patient care at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, Widmann identified knowledge deficits in herself and others concerning the LGBTQ+ Veteran community. She held informational sessions with staff to make sure LGBTQ+ Veterans were promoted, encouraging an environment of care supporting well-being and inclusivity.

As chair for her unit’s Health and Wellness Committee, Widmann identified alarming levels of stress in the nursing staff caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and changing role expectations. To combat this, she set up monthly “Wellness Challenges” to promote the idea of “self” in fellow nurses.

Her efforts helped de-stress her team and made them more cognizant of their own needs, both physically and psychologically, promoting a healthier workforce.

“It’s an incredible opportunity to be recognized by the nursing community, and even better to have the South Texas VA in the spotlight for continued excellence in its Pathway designation and continuous journey of distinction” says Widmann.