TONE ANNOUNCES 2009 EXCELLENCE IN LEADERSHIP AWARD!

The Texas Organization of Nurse Executives (TONE) announces the Second
 Excellence in Leadership Award Recipient.

TONE is pleased to announce Cole Edmonson as the third recipient of the Excellence in Leadership Award.  The Excellence in Leadership Award is given to a nurse executive who demonstrates the ability to relate and connect with the nursing staff though unique and effective methods.  The award also represents the involvement of the recipient in the community through schools, clinics and civic organizations.

Cole Edmonson, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Medical City Dallas Hospital, Dallas, exemplifies all of these characteristics and more.  Cole has been an active member of TONE since 2007.  During that time, he has served in countless capacities, serving as the District 5 Director for the Board of Directors as well as on the Education and Conference Planning committees.  Cole serves as the current President of the North Texas Organization of Nurse Executives (NTONE) and has been elected as the TONE Treasurer for the 2009 – 2011 term.  In that capacity, he creates an environment for Nurse Leaders to network with each other, receive education on a number of leadership topics, and receive updates about legislative initiatives that impact healthcare environments and nursing practice. 

Cole’s community involvement has made a significant impact on Dallas and the surrounding area.  He partners with local colleges of nursing to bridge gaps between service and academics in order to take Nursing education and practice to the highest level of excellence.  He serves on Advisory Committees for several universities in the Dallas area and has also been instrumental in leading an initiative to restructure the DFW Great 100 Nurses event.  As a result of his leadership, he has broadened the involvement and sponsorship for the event to include local organizations of nurse leaders such as NTONE and NCONE.  He truly believes in and champions collaboration whenever possible by working to bring groups of nurses together around a common purpose, whether it involves clinical practice, education/professional development, or leadership.  In addition, he routinely serves as adjunct faculty for nurses enrolled in nursing administration graduate programs to help them grow and develop into nurse leaders. 

Cole is an exemplary role model and mentor for both nurses and allied health professionals.  He mentors students, staff, and beginning leaders, as well as providing mentorship to colleagues and team members at his own level.  He led an initiative in the North Texas Division of his healthcare corporation to create and implement a Career Enhancement Program that included Career Paths.  He is also an invited speaker at local, regional, and national professional development offerings.  He has delivered keynote addresses and podium sessions on a variety of leadership, clinical, and research topics.  Most recently he won the Visionary Leader award sponsored by Nursing Management and delivered the keynote address at their annual conference.  He has also co-authored a number of print and poster presentations to disseminate project findings to the larger nursing and healthcare community.  His ability to share knowledge with others truly creates a “learning community” for students, his employees, and his colleagues.

Cole Edmonson will be presented the TONE Excellence in Leadership Award on Thursday, February 18, 2010, at the Texas Hospital Association’s Leadership Conference Award’s Luncheon in Austin, Texas.

The Texas Organization of Nurse Executives is a non-profit organization.  TONE is the state chapter of Texas for the American Organization of Nurse Executives and an affiliate of the Texas Hospital Association. For more information, please see our website atwww.texasnurse.org or contact us at 512.220.4292.