Enumclaw resident Shelly Pricco, director of Patient Care Services at Enumclaw Regional Hospital, received the 2008 March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Leadership Award. The annual award recognizes nursing excellence in western Washington.

A registered nurse since 1983, she has been employed at the Enumclaw hospital since 1996.

“I love being a nurse,” Pricco said. “I think it’s magical to be able to help other people, particularly when they are sick or injured. The reward for caring for someone in need is simply indescribable.”

Pricco, who has spent most of her nursing career at Enumclaw Regional Hospital, was also born at the community hospital in 1961. Today, she supervises the hospital’s nursing staff, including those who are as-signed to the small mother-baby unit that was her birthplace.

Pricco received the prestigious March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Leadership Award during a special ceremony Dec. 4 in Bell-evue. More than 120 nurses, health care leaders and educators from throughout Western Wash-ington were nominated in 14 separate award categories.

“I was honored just to be nominated,” she explained. “I could not believe it when I heard my named called to go to the podium. My immediate thought was: ‘Did they just call my name?’” The glass award, which is about 8 inches tall and inscribed with her name, now occupies a prominent place in her office at the hospital.

Pricco has served as director of Patient Care Services at Enumclaw Regional Hospital since May. Four nurse managers and about 100 nurses report to her.

“I focus on nurturing and caring for the nurses who report to me, ensuring that they have the support they need to provide the best possible care to our patients,” Pricco said. “I love the nursing profession because it’s all about caring for people.”