Rita Roberts Riedmiller                                                      Sarah Schweinfurth

Two BGSU nursing graduates were recently recognized for their dedication and service to their fields.

Among the top honorees at the 2008 Cameos of Caring Program and Awards Gala in Columbus were Rita Roberts Riedmiller ’94 and Sarah (Blumenschein) Schweinfurth ’04.

Riedmiller, a nurse at Mary Rutan Hospital in Bellefontaine, is a true patient advocate who possesses strong technical skills. She consistently provides patient-centered care that focuses on direct service as well as behind-the-scenes work. She was invaluable in assisting with the development and implementation of the hospital’s diagnostic cardiac and vascular angiography lab. Riedmiller is also a wonderful role model to other nurses, sharing her skills and knowledge enthusiastically. She also makes complex technical information understandable for less-experienced nurses. She earned her associated of applied science in nursing degree from Lima Technical College and her bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1994 from BGSU.

Schweinfurth is a nurse at Mount Carmel West in Columbus. She sets the standard for Mt. Carmel’s CORE values and its Standards of Service of Excellence. She works collaboratively with physicians, nurses and other embers of the healthcare team to provide excellent patient-centered care. She has demonstrated her commitment to evidence-based practice by keeping abreast of new information and medication. She has a very calm professional demeanor and exceptional clinical skills that help her stay focused in any emergency situation While delivering outstanding care, training new nurses and being a leadership force on a busy unit, Schweinfuerth has found the tie to go back to school to obtain her master’s in nursing. She graduated from BGSU in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

The Cameos of Caring Program and Awards Gala each year honors the profession of nursing and those individuals who represent it. The Ohio State University College of Nursing began hosting Cameos of Caring in 2004. To date, more than 103 nurses in central Ohio have received the prestigious Cameos of Caring award. The nurses were nominated for the awards by their hospitals and healthcare agencies.

The annual awards program plays a vital role in the recruitment and retention of excellent nurses at a time when they are desperately needed, and also helps provide financial support to nurses who are continuing their education.