Mullins recognized
Danita Mullins, emergency department director at Washington Regional Medical Center, recently received the 2019 Arkansas ED Leader of the Year Award from the Arkansas Emergency Nurses Association. Mullins, who has been with Washington Regional for more than six years and formerly assistant director of the emergency department, has been an emergency nurse for 20 years. Mullins has a Master of Science in nursing with emphasis on leadership in health care systems from Grand Canyon University and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Union College in Lincoln, Neb.
The ENA, a professional organization for emergency room nurses, recognized Mullins for her outstanding leadership and service. She previously served as state council president and is currently serving as the government affairs chair for the Arkansas chapter.
Information: wregional.com.
Arkansas Press Women recognized
Arkansas Press Women recognized the winners of its professional communications contest during its annual awards luncheon on May 4.
Bill Bowden, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette: First in News Story --- Print-based Newspaper for "Deaths at 17 in sinking; a rush to rescue in vain"
Mary Hightower, University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture: First in Specialty Articles -- Agriculture, agribusiness, aquaculture for "Sole searching: Turfgrass researchers seek least damaging golf shoes"; First in Specialty Articles -- Food for "Ark Food Innovation Center project aims to help reduce waste, increase slow-month sales for farmers market vendors"; First in Page Design -- Magazine or Newsletter for "November 2018 Blue Letter"
Debbie Miller, Northwest Arkansas Community College and Ozark Guidance: First in News Story -- Magazine, newsletter, or other publication for "Northwest Arkansas Community College - College moving forward with new buildings"; First in Reports for "Northwest Arkansas Community College Year-End Report"; First in Specialty Articles -- Ghost-written article for "Ghostwriting: NWACC Commencement Op-Ed"; Second in Specialty Articles -- Ghost-written article for "Ozark Guidance Op-Ed Written for Foundation Leader"
Fred Miller, University of Arkansas System, Division of Agriculture: First in Specialty Articles -- Science or Technology for "Chancellor's grant helps Division of Agriculture researcher attack rice blast from within"; Second in Specialty Articles -- Science or Technology for "Avian neuroscientists identify new stress response component in poultry brain"; Second in Specialty Articles -- Science or Technology for "Study of crop plants' cellular response to aphid pests earns U of A Chancellor's Grant"; Second in News Story -- Online Publication for "Soil scientists prepare to mark 350 years since discovery of 'cold fire'"; Third in News Story -- Online Publication for "Northeast Arkansas farmers facing big crop losses from heavy rains"
Michelle Parks, Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design at the University of Arkansas: First in Feature Story -- Magazine, newsletter or other publication for "The Home of an Arkansas Architect"; Second in Feature Story -- Magazine, newsletter or other publication for "Double the Design Power"; First in Publications regularly edited by entrant -- Magazine/Magpaper for "ReView alumni magazine Winter 2017-18"
Pestello serving aboard aircraft carrier
Rogers native and 2013 Redlands High School graduate Petty Officer 2nd Class Dante Pestello is serving in the U.S. Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington. He is an aviation support equipment technician aboard the carrier stationed in Newport News, Va.
George Washington is currently undergoing a four-year refueling complex overhaul at Newport News Shipbuilding, a process that includes refueling the ship's nuclear reactors and modernizing more than 2,300 compartments and hundreds of systems. The carrier is expected to leave the shipyard in 2021 and return to Yokosuka, Japan, as the Navy's only forward-deployed aircraft carrier.
Serving in the Navy is a continuing tradition of military service for Pestello, who has military ties with family members who have previously served. Pestello is honored to carry on the family tradition.
"My grandma was in the Navy and uncle," said Pestello. "I wanted to keep that tradition to going."
Sampley elected auxiliary president
Anita Lynn Sampley has been named president of the Washington Regional Medical Center Auxiliary. Auxiliary members promote and advocate the welfare of the medical center through volunteer staffing, in-service projects and fundraising. A retired educator, Sampley earned degrees from both the University of Central Arkansas and Arkansas State University. A native of Forrest City, where her mother was also president of the local hospital auxiliary, she began volunteering at hospitals as a teen, when she was a candy striper.
NAN Our Town on 05/23/2019