Lorraine Diana, of St. Mary's Hospital in Leonardtown, recently received the 2009 American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) Nurse Practitioner Award for Excellence.
Diana will be recognized for her achievement during the 2009 AANP National Conference in June. She was nominated by nurse practitioner Angela Borger.
Diana has been a nurse practitioner since 1981. She became inspired to pursue her career when she was assigned to work with a pediatric nurse practitioner in the clinics at Andrews Air Force Base. She left knowing she wanted to become a nurse practitioner, finding out years later that the person who inspired her was actually the first nurse practitioner in the United States.
A certified family nurse practitioner, Diana specializes in women's health and obstetrics/gynecology and works for Dr. Larry Polsky and Shah Associates, a member of the St. Mary's Hospital Medical Staff. She is also the outgoing president of the Maryland Coalition of Nurse Practitioners.
"The best part of my job is my patients," she said. "I love the interactions I have with them and like being able to help them get healthier or be healthier. I also enjoy working with Dr. Polsky and the entire staff - I have a wonderful job!"