May 20, 2009

State Public Health Department Recognizes Zaida Nava for Her Excellence in Pediatric Care

 Pediatric nurse honored with Community Service Award  

CHICAGO, Ill. – Dr. Walter J. Bradley, Senior Medical Administrator for the Illinois Department of Public Health Office of Preparedness and Response, presented Zaida Nava with a special pediatric care award today for her contributions to childhood care. The Ron W. Lee, M.D. –Excellence in Pediatric Care Awards are given annually by the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Illinois Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) program to recognize those dedicated to pediatric emergency care and childhood injury prevention initiatives. Individuals or organizations can be nominated in one of three award categories - Lifetime Achievement, Clinical Excellence and Community Service.

“I’m honored to present the Ron W. Lee Excellence in Pediatric Care Community Service award to a pediatric nurse who has worked for the Chicago Department of Public Health for more than 22 years,” said Dr. Bradley. “Zaida Nava’s co-workers call her one of the best and brightest in the nursing profession and I want to thank her for her commitment to the community.”

This year’s recipients of the Excellence in Pediatric Care Awards are:

• Community Service - Zaida Nava, Pediatric R.N. – West Town Neighborhood Health Center
• Community Service – Children’s Hospital of Illinois, OSF Saint Francis Medical Center, Peoria
• Lifetime Achievement – Charles Nozicka, D.O., F.A.A.P., F.A.A.E.M – Condell Medical Center
• Lifetime Achievement - Earl J. Field – Schiller Park
• Clinical Excellence - Leslie Wilkans, R.N., B.S.N. – Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital

“From triaging acutely ill “walk-in” pediatric patients to interpreting complex immunizations records our patients bring in from all over the world, Zaida is an expert in her field and an invaluable resource for her patients,” said Nancy Rivera, Director of the West Town Neighborhood Health Center. “Zaida addresses the referral, school physical, developmental, immunization and various other health needs of anywhere between 10-30 patients a day. She teaches parents how to better bond with their children, how to keep them up-to-date with immunizations, and shares relevant child development information. Her fluency in Spanish and knowledge of the Hispanic culture allows her to keenly assess the experiences, problems and needs of the predominately Hispanic community we serve.”

The Illinois EMSC program is a collaborative effort of the Illinois Department of Public Health and Loyola University Medical Center. It was established in 1994 to ensure the emergency medical care needs of children are adequately addressed.