Lutcher — St. James Parish Hospital Emergency Room Nurse Michael Gary, RN, was recently honored as a Great 100 Nurse of Louisiana during an award reception at the Pontchartrain Center in Kenner.

Gary was nominated by fellow employee Joyce Hall, ER Tech, for his role in improving the quality of care for patients.

“Michael has served as a knowledge base for other nurses, helping them to become better, and for other departments when assistance was needed,” said Hall.

Hall also compared Gary’s compassionate role as a father to his kind nursing style. “All in all, I think we are lucky to have Michael here at St. James, because he truly lets his heart guide him in his work and it shows,” said Hall.

Rhonda Zeringue, director of nursing at St. James Parish Hospital, said, “Michael is very committed to his patients and stays very clam in stressful situations. He is also very knowledgeable and a great resource for other staff members.”

Gary is currently the Membership and Web Chair for the State’s Emergency Nursing Association. He is also on the Board of Directors for the Louisiana Council of Emergency Nursing and is certified in Louisiana to teach advanced cardiac life support and trauma nursing.

The Great 100 Nurses of Louisiana was founded in 1986 as a way to recognize outstanding nurses for their accomplishments and successes. The honorees are selected by their peers and patients, based on their humanity, as well as their contribution to the community and the nursing profession.