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Jenna Best, nurse manager in the intensive care unit at Bon Secours Southampton Medical Center, was recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 Trailblazer at the Gala of the Virginia Nurses Association and the Virginia Nurses Foundation on Sept. 9 in Chantilly.

“Winning this award is truly an honor,” Best said in a Bon Secours news release. “I owe a huge ‘thank you’ to my nursing leaders, Kim Warren and Cassandra Lewis, who have instilled confidence in me as a new nurse leader throughout this past year. They continue to foster my development, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support. For that I will forever be grateful.”

“Nursing is a challenging but rewarding profession,” Best continued. “I would encourage my fellow nurses to be humble and never be afraid to ask questions. Go to work every day with a positive attitude and a willingness to learn something new. Never be afraid to speak up for your patients; you are their biggest advocate. Lastly, don’t lose sight of why you became a nurse.”

Best initially started out as a cardiac stepdown/post-open heart nurse. She decided to explore her options as a nurse in the emergency room. However, she missed being at her patient’s bedside and wanted to be able to see her patient’s progress. The ICU offers complex patients and challenges nurses to use their critical thinking skills every day. There are opportunities to utilize a multi-disciplinary approach and collaborate with other health care professionals to develop the best plan of care for patients.

Magdalys “Maggie” Ortiz, acute rehab unit clinical care lead at Bon Secours Maryview Medical Center in Portsmouth, was recognized as a Top 40 Under 40 award winner.