Woman’s Hospital nurse Kristy Simmons, RN, MSN, CNOR, was recognized with the Outstanding Achievement in Mentorship award at the Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses’ 2023 Global Surgical Conference & Expo on April 2. The award recognizes individuals who exhibit a commitment to strengthening career development, leadership skills, and connections to help nurture professional and personal development of a perioperative nurse colleague or group.
“I’m honored to be recognized for my work in mentoring other nurses in the perioperative field,” Simmons said. “This amazing group of professionals has helped guide me through my career and inspired me to be a better nurse. I’m forever grateful for everything I’ve learned through AORN.”
AORN was founded in 1949 to establish a national community for operating room nurses who sought to share best practices for patients undergoing surgery. AORN provides evidence-based resources to establish the standards of excellence for each phase of perioperative nursing to achieve optimal outcomes for every patient.
Simmons is a lifetime member of AORN with more than 42 years of experience in perioperative nursing, of which 39 have been spent at Woman’s Hospital. She has served on numerous AORN task forces and committees at the state, local, and national levels and currently serves on the Legacy Nurse Engagement Think Tank as well as the coordinating council of the Pediatric Specialty Assembly.
Previously, Simmons earned an AORN National Outstanding Volunteer Leadership Award (2014); an AORN National Outstanding Achievement in Perioperative Evidence-Based Practice Award (2014); and Perioperative Nurse of the Year, AORN of Baton Rouge Area (2015).