Willmer Recognized with Excellence in Nursing Award at UPHS-Portage

HANCOCK, Mich. – UP Health System – Portage named Mary Willmer as the 2016 recipient of the Gertrude Decker Hellman Excellence in Nursing Award on Wednesday (April 13) at the annual service awards ceremony.

Pictured: Mary Willmer and ICU/Med Surg Unit Manager Paula Polso

The award was founded in 2005 in honor of Gertrude Decker Hellman, who was a patient at Portage. Gertrude’s family was so impressed with the quality of nursing care in her final hours that they created an award to honor the nurses that helped them through a difficult time. The award is presented each year to a nurse who demonstrates excellence in caring for patients. Patients and their family members can participate in the nomination of the candidate.

Willmer has worked in the ICU/Med Surg department since 1983. Mary strives to improve the health of her patients by providing the highest standard of care in a compassionate, effective and efficient manner. This is supported by strong critical thinking skills, patient advocacy and collaboration with other members of the health care team. She is a great mentor to new nurses, sharing her vast nursing knowledge and experience to lead them on their journey to becoming expert nurses.

Mary, a resident of Lake Linden, and her husband Michael have two children. Their son Matthew attends school in Wisconsin and daughter Mariah attends Lake Linden-Hubbell High School.

Previous Gertrude Decker Hellman Excellence in Nursing Award winners are Stacey Lassila, RN (2015), Kristina Huhta, RN (2014), Joy Dennis, RN (2013), Cindy Ransom, RN (2012), Ann Brotherton, RN (2011), Debra Maki, RN (2010), Carol Vater, RN (2009), Elizabethe Gilreath, RN (2008), Anne Lett, RN (2007), Pat Corrigan, RN (2006), and Sally Smith, RN (2005).