The GRACE Family is proud to announce that our Clinic Nurse Manager Shirley Roberts has been recognized as one of the best nurses in North Texas with the Great 100 Nurses of Dallas-Fort Worth award.
The Great 100 list raises awareness of the contributions of nurses to patient care, research, leadership, education and community service of more than 50,000 nurses practicing in the DFW area. In addition, the list builds the image of nursing through positive reinforcement of the profession as a scientific art and the recognition of those who exemplify excellence.
Over the past thirty-one years, this award has become recognized throughout the nursing community in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex as an esteemed honor and prestigious accomplishment.
Sheila DePaola, a Registered Nurse with Parkland in Dallas for over 35 years, now serving as a Nursing Operations Specialist, and long time Community Clinic volunteer was the person who nominated Shirley.
“If you’re a nurse or in the medical field, you know that this award is a tremendous honor because you’re nominated by your peers. I’ve been with the Clinic from the very beginning, since Shirley took over the clinic, I’ve felt that she’s very deserving of this honor for everything she’s done to advance the Clinic. Shirley has not only brought in quality providers but specialist providers, she meets metric goals… she not just slapping a Band-Aid on people… she promotes their overall health and well-being,” Sheila said in a telephone interview.
“So many of these patients have very complex health care issues like cancer, she goes above and beyond to follow up and make sure these patients get what they need… During COVID she was one of the first clinics in the area to utilize tele-health, its cutting edge,” she added.
“Shirley embodies compassionate care-giving.”
When asked, Shirley expressed gratitude and deep appreciation for the honor.
“This is the most amazing honor and recognition that I could have ever received…and to be nominated by a nurse of Sheila’s caliber…When I received the award, I was shocked and humbled (even cried). Nursing is my calling and to be selected for such an honor as the DFW Great 100 Nurses 2021, was the highest honor that I could ever receive,” Shirley said.
“Of all the things I’ve done in my career, GRACE is the most fulfilling because you really help people. I have had a great journey in my nursing career and I am loving every bit of it. It is truly a mission and a calling.”
One of the only non-profit organizations on the list, the GRACE Community Clinic serves as the primary healthcare facility for nearly 1,000 patients who are treated by top health professionals that serve over 3,500 hours annually.
Congratulations Shirley!
