Department of Health and Senior Services Commissioner Heather Howard will present the awards to this year's recipients for their accomplishments and service in the areas of patient care, nurse education, nursing research and administration. Nurses working in hospitals and long term care facilities were among those recognized.

"Nurses are tireless, compassionate and caring advocates for patients at the bedside, in their homes and beyond," said Commissioner Howard. "This year's honorees are outstanding representatives of the many excellent, dedicated nursing professionals in our state."

Through this awards program, Governor Corzine honors individuals who demonstrate excellence in nursing and recognizes the vital contribution of the nursing profession to New Jersey's healthcare system. The awards provide an opportunity to recognize the unique blend of technical excellence, human compassion and care required of nursing professionals.

The Nursing Advisory Committee has recognized the state's distinguished nurses each year since 1989.  The advisory committee comprises 28 nurses from throughout the state.  The following 10 recipients were chosen for the 2009 Governor's Nursing Merit Awards:

Advanced Practice Nurse:  Margaret Estlow, MSN, RN, APN, C, Capital Health System

Licensed Practical Nurse: Acute Care- Linda Whalen, LPN, CNUS, JFK Medical Center

Licensed Practical Nurse: Non-acute Care- Mary Dluzniewski, LPN, Renaissance Gardens at Seabrook Village

Nurse Administrator: Nelson Tuazon, MAEd, MSN, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, CPHQ, FACHE, East Orange General Hospital

Nurse Educator: Joan Harvey, MSN, RN, CCRN, Meridian Health Ann May Center for Nursing

Nurse Researcher: Joan Alverzo, PhD, CRRN, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation

Registered Professional Nurse: Acute Care- Paul Joyce, BSN, RN, Chilton Memorial Hospital

Registered Professional Nurse: Community Health -Kathleen Frame, PhD, RN, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey and Kirby's Mill Elementary School

Registered Professional Nurse: Manager -Kristine Rovell, MSN, RN, C, Riverview Medical Center

Registered Professional Nurse: Post-acute Care/Long Term Care-Michele Russell, RN, Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation