The Fifth-Annual Friends of Borgess Nursing Endowment Fund Awards Dinner paid tribute to the nursing excellence of today and tomorrow, including recognizing Dennis Bertch, MSN, RN, with the prestigious Lamplighter Award, as well as honoring nine nurses with specialty certification grants.
The Borgess Lamplighter Award recognizes an individual (or organization) who has exhibited stellar support of the Borgess Health mission and Borgess nurses, as well as contributed to quality of life within southwest Michigan. Dennis A. Bertch of Kalamazoo received the award for his steadfast commitment to nursing excellence and education. He began his career at Borgess Medical Center in the late 70s as a staff nurse in the neurological care unit. Bertch then went on to serve as director, Inpatient Neurological Services and Professional Nursing Resources, and chief nursing officer, and was instrumental in the formation of shared governance at Borgess Medical Center in the late 80s and early 90s. Continually striving to improve care and enhance the practice of nursing, he encouraged his colleagues to pursue ongoing education and advanced degrees.
In 1993, Bertch completed his Master of Science in Nursing and is currently in the Doctor of Nursing Practice Program at the Kirhof College of Nursing at Grand Valley State University. He has held several higher education roles, and now serves as associate vice president of academic services at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.
“We congratulate Dennis for this outstanding achievement. Prior to his educational role at KVCC, he had a long history of leadership, both within Borgess Health and in the greater health care community,” said Tony McDonnell, executive director, Borgess Foundation. “We are blessed to have had his support and exceptional contributions, and wish him much success in his professional and personal endeavors.”
Complementing the Lamplighter Award, the dinner also celebrated the distribution of grants to several nurses for the pursuit of specialized education and training. This year, the following RNs received grants:
Certification Grant
Carol D’Cruz, BSN, RN, Borgess Medical Center (Portage)
Christine M. Donelson, RN, Borgess Medical Center (Vicksburg)
Judith Foote-Jury, RN, BSN, CNOR, CRNFA, Borgess Medical Center (Kalamazoo)
Dee Hoffman, MBA, BSN, RN, Borgess Medical Center (Mattawan)
Nancy L. Merriman, RN, Borgess Medical Center (Kalamazoo)
Diane Roosenberg, BSN, RN, Borgess Medical Center (Augusta)
Debbie Schlieter, BSN, RN, CWOCN, Borgess VNA Home Health & Hospice (Lawrence)
Sikhanyiso Maphosa, BSN, RN, Borgess VNA Home Health & Hospice (Kalamazoo)
Scholarly Grant
Anita Heyman, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Borgess Medical Center (Portage)
In addition to grant distribution, the dinner acknowledged eight nurses with the following awards:
Excellence in Clinical Practice I Award
Randy Willis, BSN, RN, Borgess Medical Center (Augusta)
Caroline M. Kusa, RN, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital (Dowagiac)
Pat Hetzler, RN, Borgess-Pipp Hospital (Plainwell)
Lisa Witte, RN, Borgess VNA Home Health & Hospice (Kalamazoo)
Excellence in Clinical Practice II Award
Gail H. Venner, MSN, ANP, Borgess Medical Center (Richland)
Nursing Leadership Award
Anita Heyman, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, Borgess Medical Center (Mattawan)
Rising Star Award
Anna Matulewicz, BSN, RN, Borgess Medical Center (Portage)
Sisters of St. Joseph Legacy Award
Diane White, MSN, RN, Borgess VNA Home Health & Hospice (Kalamazoo)
Held on May 10 at Kalamazoo’s Cityscape Events Center, the Friends of Borgess Nursing Awards Dinner raised important funding to sustain nursing education, research and certification. To date, $150,000 has been raised toward the overall fund goal of $250,000. To learn more about the awards dinner or make a donation to the Friends of Borgess Nursing Endowment Fund, call (269) 226.8100, or visit foundation.borgess.com.






