Rita Elaine Blyth
Charge Nurse - Infusion-Chemo Therapy
Nominated by: Marcia C. Diggs

Excerpt from nomination: "Rita Blyth has a BSN in nursing. She has 21 years of nursing experience. Her nursing background includes medical surgery, ICU (intensive care unit), ten plus (10+) years in neonatal ICU nursing and pediatrics. She has served as a transport nurse-ground and air. She is IV certified, BCLS certified, ACLS certified, chemo-infusion certified-Kaiser Santa Teresa. Her continuing education units are oncology-oriented (30 units required every 2 years). She has worked as a charge nurse in several hospitals and functioned as an assistant head nurse. She has expertise in quality assurance and nurse practice issues and has been the professional performance chairperson for the past 2 years.

Rita has helped many people in the community in which she lives bringing joy, comfort, and inspiration to all that she comes in contact with. Last year Rita experienced a horrible incident in the neighborhood grocery store where an armed man entered and shot (point blank) a young woman, who had just broke their relationship off. While others in the store could see what was about to take place and was able to take cover, Rita's back was turned and she had little time to take cover. Rita witnessed the entire incident (2 ft. in front of her) of the man murdering the young lady, as well as the attempted murder of a man who tried to run out of the store to call for help. After the assailant fled the store, Rita crawled over to the young woman and checked her vitals (she had her nursing bag that day) although she knew the woman was dead. Rita held the young woman (25 yrs. old) and prayed her into the heavens.

Rita Blyth is an incredible woman who is deservant of many honors and has yet never received recognition for the wonderful contributions she has made. She fights when no one else knows how or can."