Congratulations to Norma Liburd, RN, who was the winner of the 2011 Tampa Bay Business Journal's Health Care Heroes award in the Medical Professional, non-Physician category. Norma was one of four nominees with ties to All Children's Hospital. For children who need help from All Children's Pediatric Rheumatology Program, Norma is the nurse who makes treatment compliance worthwhile. Her "Rheum Service Credits" program allows kids to collect points toward gift cards for their cooperation in getting shots, medications and other treatments. For the families of these children, Norma is the clinical nurse specialist who makes sense of the medical terminology and provides a supportive shoulder available round-the-clock. To her peers, Norma is a tireless advocate and volunteer with groups like the Arthritis Foundation, Camp Boggy Creek, Easter Seals and the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals. She developed a widely used list serve for pediatric rheumatology nurses that is used nationally and internationally to promote the highest standards of patient care.
