Great Iowa Nurses recognizes three Genesis nurses
Genesis Health System nurses Lisa Andresen, Steve Barnhart, and Carly Whitcomb
are among the 108 Iowa nurses recognized as 2024 Great Iowa Nurses.
The Genesis trio, who all work at Genesis Medical Center, Davenport, join 15 of
their MercyOne colleagues across the state of Iowa in being recognized as 2024
Great Iowa Nurses.
Carly Whitcomb – Genesis. 2024 Great Iowa Nurse
The program, formerly 100 Great Iowa Nurses, annually honors Iowa nurses for
their contributions to the nursing profession. A committee of individuals from
various healthcare organizations across Iowa reviews nominations for the honor.
Great Iowa Nurses are chosen based on demonstrated service to patients,
leadership, and mentoring, or serving as a role model.
Lisa Andresen – Genesis nurse. 2024 Great Iowa Nurse.
Lisa Andresen, MSN RNC-OB, works in the Genesis BirthCenter. Her nomination
describes the veteran nurse as “a mission-driven obstetrical nurse focused on
quality and safety. Lisa is committed to improving the lives of pregnant women
both locally and across the state of Iowa.”
Steve Barnhart, RN, works in the Neurology/Oncology unit. His nomination
describes the “night shift lifer” as “the glue that keeps the night shift together.
Steve is fun, approachable, and quick on his feet. He always jets down the hallways
to attend to patient’s needs.”
Steve Barnhart – Genesis nurse. 2024 Great Iowa Nurse.
Carly Whitcomb, RN, is a manager in the Medical Pulmonary unit. Her nomination
describes her repeatedly as an excellent leader and mentor. “Carly has impacted
the nursing profession by being a phoenix to our COVID-19 nursing unit. She
brought new life to a nursing team that formed the front line of our community’s
COVID care during the pandemic.”
The Great Iowa Nurses program asks patients, co-workers, friends, and family
members to nominate outstanding nurses for recognition each year. After a two-
part review process, Great Iowa Nurses are honored at an annual ceremony.
In addition to recognizing outstanding nurses, the Great Iowa Nurses program
provides financial support to nursing students in MSN, DNP, or Ph.D. programs.
Since the program’s inception in 2004, 134 Genesis nurses have been named Great
Iowa Nurses.
A virtual ceremony will occur later this year to recognize the 2024 honorees.
“Genesis continues to be grateful to our nurses, who have been asked for so much
personally and professionally over the past few years. This honor is an opportunity
to recognize all Iowa nurses, especially our own nurse who is being recognized as
one of the Great Iowa Nurses,’’ Joel M. Moore, MSN, RN, CNML, Chief Nursing
Officer, Genesis Medical Center-Davenport.
“We know we have great Genesis nurses, and more than 100 of our own have been
Great Iowa Nurses.’’
100 Great Iowa Nurses was established in 2004 and hosted by the University of
Iowa until 2020. In 2022, with the support of Mary Greeley Medical Center, the
program was revived and renamed Great Iowa Nurses.
