Blessing Health System staff nominated peers for their skill, compassion and innovation in patient care as part of the celebration of National Nurses Week. Nurse Excellence Award presentations were held in Quincy and Pittsfield during the week of May 4, honoring nurses and support staff in eight award categories. The health system employs 1,110 nurses.
Chandler Waelder and Alice Glasgow received the registered nurse awards. Chandler, the first male labor and delivery nurse at Blessing Hospital received the 2026 Lauretta M. Eno Distinguished Nurses’ Award. His nomination stated that, “He knew that he'd have some struggles as it is a predominantly female field. He has not only shattered that glass ceiling, but he has made a name for himself as one of the most lauded labor and delivery nurses on our unit. The number of patients who ask me if I know Chandler or if I can tell him how much he meant to them is too many to mention.”
Alice Glasgow received the Illini Community Hospital Registered Nurse Award. Alice is a staff educator whose nomination stated, “Alice works to ensure that those of us at the bedside have everything we need to succeed. Her positive attitude is contagious and directly correlates to higher staff satisfaction across the health system.”
Pictured above (l-r): Chandler Waelder and Alice Glasgow.
Other Blessing Health System 2026 Nurse Excellence award winners included:
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Award: Veronica Roth Phillips, Bariatric Institute
Year One Wonder Award (for a new nurse): Mandi Sill, Blessing Hospital Emergency Center
Licensed Practical Nurse Clinical Excellence Award: Jessica Redman, Bariatric Institute
Partner in Caring Award (for support staff): Christina Johnson-Riley, Blessing Sleep Center; and Crystal Eddington, activities coordinator, Illini Community Hospital Acute Care unit.
Evidence-Based Practice and Innovation Award (for research projects): Co-winners- registered nursing team of Lauren Dixon, Lee Austin, Dayanara Schorr and Kelli Lehenbauer; and registered nursing team of Mandi Sill, ML Mendoza, Samantha Lambert and Nick Kelley.
DAISY Team Award: Blessing Outpatient Behavioral Health Services
DAISY Transformational Leader Award: Samantha Raleigh, manager, Walk-In/Express Clinics
In all, 61 individuals, 18 departments and six research teams were nominated for Blessing Nurses Week awards.