Norman Regional's 2024 Nurse and Medical Professional of the Year Awards

Norman Regional physicians honored five nurses and two medical professionals for their outstanding expertise and compassionate care.

Every year, physicians and advanced practice providers nominate and fund the Norman Regional Nurse of the Year awards. This program began in 2010 to honor nurses for their dedication to their work. “This year, the group chose to recognize two medical professionals, who make a difference and are a crucial piece to health system operations,” said Kate Cook, MD, Norman Regional pediatrics chair and pediatric hospital medicine/school telehealth medical director.

The 2024 Medical Professionals of the Year are:

Runner Up: Jamie Turnpaugh, Rehabilitation. Turnpaugh’s nomination said she goes above and beyond to always do the right thing. She takes pride in her work. Her nominators said they can count on her to know the answer to an obscure question and she will know exactly how to tackle a difficult issue.

Finalist: Scott Bloodworth, Supply Chain. Bloodworth has worked at Norman Regional since 1992 in roles such as Monitor Tech, Unit Secretary and a Paramedic. He is now the coordinator for Norman Regional’s three full-service Emergency Departments for Supply Chain. His nominators praised his ability to help keep the department running smoothly, making sure they have everything they need. One physician said, “My skills can only go so far without the right equipment, and his consistency and excellence are truly remarkable. He is personally responsible for many good outcomes with critical patients because we have the tools we need to save lives.”

The 2024 Nurses of the Year nominees are:

• Amy Hawley, RN, BSN, MSN, Labor and Delivery. Hawley began working at Norman Regional in May 2007. Her nominators shared she always has a smile and a positive word for everyone she encounters – patient, nurse or doctor.
• Karen Gillespie, RN, Rehabilitation. Gillespie joined Norman Regional in 2014. She is always professional and loved by her patients and fellow staff members. Her nominators wrote that physicians trust her to recognize issues as they develop and her clinical judgment is spot on!
• Sarge Kemmet, RN, Emergency Department. Kemmet joined Norman Regional in March 2024 as a second career. He is an excellent nurse who goes above and beyond for his patients. “He has a calm presence for patients and really models The Norman Way and ICARE values,” his nomination read.
• Meghan Bedwell, RN, Intermediate Care Unit. Bedwell began working at Norman Regional in 2008 and in that time has been shown to be a bedrock of the Norman Regional nursing staff. Her nomination read, “She is consistently the first person to be bedside during a code, MIT or when a patient or family member needs help.”

The nurse selected as the 2024 Nurse of the Year is Katie Gilmore, RN, Women’s and Children’s. Gilmore started her career at Norman Regional in 2015 and has been the backbone of the pediatrics unit. She recently stepped into a new role to support the entire Women’s and Children’s team, mastering new skills and care for a wide variety of patients. She is calm under pressure and always willing to go the extra mile for her patients. Her nomination read, “She shares her knowledge and compassion with humility, kindness and efficiency.”

Congratulations to Gilmore and all the Norman Regional nurse and medical professional of the year nominees!