Four nurses from Stillwater Medical were named finalists for the 2025 March of Dimes Nurse of the Year, a statewide recognition that honors peer-nominated nurses for excellence in care, compassion, and professionalism. The nominations reflect a collaborative nursing environment in which high standards are reinforced through teamwork, mutual respect, and strong professional relationships.  

Across departments and roles, nurses at Stillwater Medical work closely together, and many cite the support of their colleagues as a meaningful part of their day-to-day practice. 

This year’s finalists include Kyla Davis, RN, Same Day Surgery; Jessica Kennedy, APRN, Stillwater Pediatrics; Tammy Parr, LPN and case manager for Stillwater Medical Blackwell and Perry; and Sarah Schram, RN, resource nurse at Stillwater Medical Center. For Davis and Parr, the peer-nominated recognition was described as both humbling and affirming of the work they do alongside their teams. 

For Davis, nursing runs deep. Her mother first encouraged her to pursue the profession, and throughout nursing school, she helped her study, grow, and build confidence in her calling. “I have always loved being able to help others,” Davis said. “Nursing allows me to care for people while constantly learning and challenging myself.” 

Davis began her journey at Stillwater Medical in 2017 working as an emergency room tech before earning her nursing degree. Although she briefly moved away, she returned to Stillwater Medical’s intensive care unit in 2020 and joined same day surgery this past April. Through it all, she says the heart of her work has remained the same: the patients. 

“At the end of the day, the most fulfilling part of my job is the interactions with the patients I get to care for,” she said. “The conversations, the laughs we share—I hope I’m able to brighten their day and ease their anxiety in a place where people are often scared or hurting.” 

Davis is proud to work in a hospital environment where high-quality, compassionate care is a shared standard. Being nominated for the March of Dimes award, she says, reflects not just her own work but the collective effort of Stillwater Medical’s nursing staff. 

“We have so many talented nurses here who work incredibly hard for our patients,” she said. “I am honored just to be part of a team that puts patient care first.” 

For fellow finalist, Parr, the path to nursing began at 17, when she took a job as a nursing home aide. Although she once imagined becoming an attorney, she soon realized nursing allowed her to combine her love of advocacy with the hands-on ability to help people. 

Over the last decade, Parr has served as an LPN and case manager for Stillwater Medical Blackwell and Stillwater Medical Perry—two rural communities with unique challenges. Limited transportation, financial barriers, and access to care often impact her patients in ways many urban areas never see. Parr meets those challenges head-on with compassion, creativity, and a deep sense of responsibility. 

“It’s not always direct bedside care,” she said. “But everything behind the scenes makes a difference, too.” 

Her work includes helping patients find transportation, securing medication assistance, and navigating complex insurance needs. In 2018, Parr co-founded the Blackwell Outreach Program, which provides funds—donated by employees—to help patients pay for prescriptions, gas, and other essential needs. The program has supported families in crisis, including helping parents travel to be with sick children and assisting vulnerable patients with safe transitions home. 

Parr’s nomination was what she describes as deeply meaningful. “I was humbled and honored,” she said. “To know that who I am and what I do matters—that means so much.” 

Stillwater Medical has been named one of the Best Places to Work by Modern Healthcare, a news organization that identifies and recognizes outstanding employers in the healthcare industry nationwide. They are the only organization in the state to receive this distinction for 14 years in a row.  

Brad Horst, vice president of human resources, says one of the organization’s keys to success is the shared commitment of staff to creating a culture of excellence. 

“These peer nominations really line up with what our employee surveys tell us,” said Horst. “Two of our highest-scoring statements are ‘I enjoy my coworkers’ and ‘I find purpose in my work.’ When nurses recognize one another in this way, it speaks to the strong relationships they have with their teams and the meaning they find in the work they do every day.”