Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital has announced that two of the hospital’s neonatal nurse practitioners (NNP) were recognized as Outstanding Advanced Practitioners of the Pacific Region for 2010.  

The announcement came last month at the Pediatrix Medical Group National Meeting in Orlando, Florida on February 10, 2010.  

The awardees, Susan Johnson and Lynn Massong, are two of three neonatal nurse practitioners at Memorial’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Susan Johnson came to Yakima in 1979, from the University of Washington’s Neonatal Nurse Practitioners program, to help local pediatricians start a local Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.  

Yakima native Lynn Massong, received his NNP training in South Dakota and returned in 1984 as Memorial’s second NNP clinician.  

“The three of us began a collegial relationship that has spanned 25 years,” said Bob Skarin, MD, medical director of Memorial’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. “During this time pediatricians and consultants have come and gone, educational programs have been launched and fulfilled, technology and treatments have evolved, but these two NNP’s have kept the babies moving through the NICU. 

“From my perspective, these two NNP’s are the epitome of professionalism, providing excellent patient care, showing respect and kindness to their colleagues and co-workers-consistently willing to go the extra mile.”

In addition to their award, both nurse practitioners received an additional $500 in Continuing Nursing Education allotments for this year.