June 22, 2010

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Jeannine McCormick, RN, MSN, CRNP, a nurse practitioner in the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Continence Clinic, has received the Shining Star Award from the National Association for Continence (NAFC).

McCormick is the inaugural recipient of NAFC's Shining Star Award. Established to recognize an exceptional healthcare professional as a leader in patient care, this award is presented to individuals who are considered a vital component in continence care while working with a team to provide greater medically attentive service to patients.

Shortly after completing her master's degree in nursing as a family nurse practitioner, McCormick worked for Nursing Solutions as the sole provider of continence care for residents of rural nursing homes in Alabama, working with family members and staff to formulate individual plans of care. Currently, she practices at the UAB Continence Clinic, where she serves as a patient's "point-of-entry" healthcare provider and consistently scores in the top of the Press Ganey Satisfaction Surveys undertaken by UAB.

"She not only excels at patient and family education, but receives stellar teaching evaluations from fellows, resident physicians, and nursing students. For all of her patients, collaborators, and students, Jeannine McCormick certainly is a shining star," said Patricia Goode, M.D., professor in the division of gerontology, geriatrics and palliative care and medical director of the UAB Continence Clinic.

The award was presented to McCormick in San Francisco May 29 during the annual meeting of the American Urological Association. UAB hosted a recognition luncheon for McCormick Monday, June 21; among guests present was Terrance Barno of Pfizer Global Pharmaceuticals, sponsor of the award.

About the UAB Continence Clinic

Founded in 1992, the UAB Continence Clinic provides multidisciplinary evaluation and treatment for men and women with urinary and fecal incontinence as well as conducting research to improve care for patients with incontinence. Collaborative programs at UAB now include nursing, behavioral medicine, geriatrics, urogynecology, urology, colon and rectal surgery, radiology and gastroenterology and together offer treatments from behavioral therapy to the latest robotic surgical procedures. Trainees in multiple disciplines receive education at the clinic on an ongoing basis. UAB Continence Clinic patients find revolutionary new options available, many of which were researched and developed at UAB.