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NHIA Presents 2010 Gene Graves Lifetime Achievement Award to Debbie Cain, R.N., CRNI®

(April 14, 2010)

NHIA honored long-standing volunteer, Debbie Cain, R.N., CRNI®, with the 2010 Gene Graves Award for Lifetime Achievement. NHIA’s Board Chair Lynn Giglione, R.N., B.S.N, presented the award to Cain, Vice President of Operations and Director of Nursing at Cox Home Parenteral Services in Springfield, Missouri.

“I must confess that this year’s recipient is especially meaningful to me as it represents the first time that someone within the nursing community has earned this award,” said Giglione in presenting the award. “I have had the benefit of working alongside Debbie for a number of years and have seen firsthand the exemplary contributions she has made within the home infusion community on behalf of patients.”

Cain has been an active force in NHIA’s activities since 1997. She has been a member of the Membership Committee, the Standards and Accreditation Committee, and the Education Committee—as well as serving two terms on the Board of Directors and as Secretary for two years.

At HPS, Cain introduced an innovative PICC line program in Springfield that is enabling several area hospitals to place over 300 PICCs per month and has been instrumental in the development and ongoing management of an ambulatory infusion center which services over 500 patients a month. She frequently lectures on the benefits of home infusion and has made presentations on the development and implementation of home care and hospital-based PICC programs to various organizations including the American Society of Health-Systems Pharmacists, the Missouri Alliance Home Care, and NHIA.

“In speaking to her, Debbie will tell you that teaching patients to be independent has always been her goal and has given her the most fulfillment throughout the years,” said Giglione. “Her guidance to the nurses she oversees is to establish and maintain high standards in everything that you do, deliver high-quality care, and ensure outcomes are always positive.”

“I am humbled and honored to receive this award,” said Cain. “There have been a number of positive changes for the association during my time on the Board, but there is still lots to be done.” She mentioned the newly drafted Standards of Ethical Practice and the Industry-Wide Data Initiative as examples.

“NHIA has always been an association of passionate, focused, and forward-thinking caregivers and providers,” Cain said. “Each of you is an ambassador for change. You stand on a stage like this every day—standing up for all that our industry represents.”

Established in 2006, the Gene Grave’s Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an individual who embodies the energy, innovative spirit, leadership and commitment to home infusion patients Gene Graves brought to this organization when he helped get it started.

Family and colleagues of Debbie Cain, R.N., CRNI®, congratulate her on receiving the Gene Graves Award for Lifetime Achievement