Traveler of the Year

Since Healthcare Traveler magazine began the tradition of honoring Travelers of the Year, NovaPro is proud to have been represented in every issue.

Individuals who earn the distinguished title of "Traveler of the Year" are handpicked by their recruiters and are evaluated on a variety of personal and professional attributes. Recruiters consider each traveler's accomplishments, clinical expertise, and overall demeanor as well as evaluations and feedback from facility representatives. Working with so many talented travelers makes the selection-process harder every year.

Now, take a minute to recognize all past winners.

2009

Julie Irving, RN
Specialty: Labor and Delivery
Years traveling: 3 years 6 months
Number of assignments with Company: 9
Nominated by: Holly McManaway, Recruiter

"Always positive, upbeat, and ready for an adventure,
Julie has facilities nationwide singing her praises."
 
"Julie is an exemplary worker who continuously performs above standards. We wish we could retain her on our staff permanently.”
 
"Julie is just brilliant!!! She is the most professional nurse I have ever met and we hated to lose her."

2008

Sumei Hanselmann, BSN, RN, NRP
Specialty: Labor and Delivery
Years Traveling: 6
Number of Assignments with Company: 16
Nominated by: Janine Mahon, Recruiter

"Sumei is the best! She is flexible, open-minded and uses her patient care skills to subsidize her fun and adventurous lifestyle. She refers colleagues to us. Hospitals love her, patients love her, other travelers love her, and her recruiter loves her. With a wonderful sense of humor, she brings fun and energy to work while providing exceptional care."

2007

Lynn Alexandrovich, RN
Specialty: Intensive Care
Years Traveling: 21
Number of Assignments with Company: 11
Nominated by: Sheila Groff, Recruiter

"Since 1986, Lynn has made a career of traveling all over the country as a registered nurse. Currently on assignment in Colorado, where she is helping her close friend with newborn twins, Lynn enjoys working nights in the ICU. We are very proud of her and fortunate that she is part of our family."

2006

Kathleen Donahue, BSN, RN
Specialty: Intensive Care
Years Traveling: 2
Years Traveling with Company: 2
Number of Assignments with Company: 8
Nominated by: Sheila Groff, Recruiter

"Katie started her travel adventures in Massachusetts and continued to facilities in Washington State, Maryland, Washington DC, and Pennsylvania. She is my ideal traveler. Very dependable, Katie is committed to the nursing profession and her patients - and it shows. She is well liked by staff and patients everywhere she goes. I trust her to do a terrific job while on assignment. We are truly fortunate to have a nurse like Katie representing our company."

2005

Marie Nantell, RN
Specialty: Medical/Surgical
Years Traveling: 6
Years Traveling with Company: 5½
Number of Assignments with Company: 18
Nominated by: Sheila Groff, Recruiter

"I am proud to present Marie as our Traveler of the Year. She has been a loyal traveler of mine since May 2000. She is currently on her 18th assignment and knows what it takes to be a true mobile clinician, even though most facilities treat her as one of their own. Even Hurricane Charley, which destroyed her Florida home, didn't stop her from completing a contract. Very dependable, Marie never fails to be flexible when it comes time to find a new assignment. She is a sensitive nurse who works hard to provide exceptional care for her patients."

2004

Michael Kluk, SLP
Discipline: Speech Language-Pathology
Specialty: Geriatric/Pediatrics
Years Traveling: 1 1/2
Years Traveling with Company: 1 1/2
Number of Assignments with Company: 6
Nominated by: Angelique T. Wood, Area Staffing Manager

"As a traveling speech therapist and employee, Michael has gone above and beyond the call of duty. Always flexible, he has accepted new challenges in unfamiliar territory and taken assignments in locations that were not necessarily his first choice. Exhibiting exemplary performance on all assignments, he provides knowledge and leadership qualities. Michael has become a true traveling ambassador for our agency."

2004

Giovanna Goodwin, RN
Specialty: OR
Years Traveling: 2 1/2
Years Traveling with Company: 2 1/2
Number of Assignments with Company: 9
Nominated by: Sheila Groff, Recruiter

"Vonnie is someone who knows how to take full advantage of travel assignments. I always enjoy receiving photos of her hiking trips and other sightseeing tours. Aside from enjoying her days off while on assignment, Vonnie is an outstanding nurse, as evidenced by her exceptional references. A team player, she is very knowledgeable and flexibile. Vonnie is self-motivated and always has a positive attitude. We are truly grateful to have her as part of our team."

2003

Lorraine Leonard, RN
Specialty: OR
Years Traveling: 6
Years Traveling with Company: 3 1/2
Number of Assignments with Company: 13
Nominated by: Sheila Groff, Recruiter

"Lorraine is one of the first RNs I hired when I started with my company almost four years ago. Since the beginning, she has proven her loyalty, dependability, and flexibility. Able to adjust well to any situation, Lorraine is very pleasant to work with; she's a team player. I have confidence in knowing that when I send her on an assignment, she will represent our firm with professionalism and nursing excellence. People really enjoy practicing with Lorraine and look to her for assistance because of her broad experience and knowledge. She understands the travel industry, and we share a great working relationship."

2002

Jackie Lara, RN, CVOR
Specialty: Operating Room
Total years traveling: 2 ½
Assignments with company: 10
Nominated by: Barb Kelley, Recruiter

Comments Jackie, "When I began traveling two-and-a-half years ago, I was ready for a change and looking for new challenges. The most rewarding aspect - and sometimes the biggest challenge - is being accepted by the staff and physicians as part of the team. It is also gratifying to be recognized and appreciated for my professional abilities."

"Jackie's skills are top-notch and she impresses even the toughest clients with her positive energy and personality," exclaims Ms. Kelley. "She is very versatile, able to scrub and circulate in open heart, orthopedic, and general surgeries. Easy-going and flexible, Jackie is a delight - she gives travelers a good name."