Franklin Square's Director of Nursing Research Wins National Award

Joan Warren, director of nursing research at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center, has been honored at the national level by Nurse.com.

Warren, a registered nurse with a doctoral degree, has been named one of six winners of the 2013 Nurse.com Nursing Excellence :Giving Excellence Meaning" awards, according to a statement from the hospital.

The award recognizes Warren for her "efforts in advancing the nursing workforce through continuous education and research" and her "commitment to improving patient care," according to the statement.

At Franklin Square, Warren has established programs and partnerships with other schools and hospitals while procuring more than $2 million in state grants to help nurses engage in research, according to the statement. She has helped nurses further their formal educations, which has translated to at least 40 additional nurses with masters' degrees working in area hospitals.

"This award drives me to want to continue to strive for excellence," Warren said in the statement. "I want to help nurses continue to grow, learn and advance in their careers. I want to expand my reach beyond our walls and give back to those who have given to me."

Earlier this year, Warren won the regional award in the education and mentorship category for the Maryland, Virginia and District of Columbia region, according to the statement. Warren advanced to a pool of national finalists whose nominations were reviewed and voted on by Nurse.com national advisory board members and nurse executives from around the country.

One national winner is selected from each award category.

"This prestigious national recognition places MedStar Health and MedStar Franklin Square in a highly regarded standing among our peers," Maureen P. McCausland, MedStar Health's senior vice president and chief nursing officer, said in the statement. "It demonstrates that our ongoing efforts to provide quality mentorship to new nurses and to support growth and expertise among our professional nurses are recognized by our peers throughout the country."

Warren and her five fellow national award winners will be profiled in Nurse.com's Nov. 11 print and online editions.