Victoria Lozano, who is a registered nurse specializing in diabetes care and education at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, (left) and Leah Stein-Fredbeck, a nurse who serves as an assistant clinical manager in the New Life Center at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, (right) were both awarded 2024 nurse of the year by Advocate Health Care. | Provided Photos

Two Advocate Health Care nurses at hospitals in Libertyville and Barrington, one of which specializes in working with newborns and the other who works with diabetes patients, have been awarded nurse of the year, officials said.

Advocate Health Care said Victoria Lozano, who is a registered nurse specializing in diabetes care and education at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrington, was selected as a 2024 Nurse of the Year for her “exemplary demonstration” of Advocate Health Care’s core nursing values and “unwavering delivery” of best-in-class care.

Jane Dus, Senior Vice President, Chief Nursing Officer of Advocate Health – Midwest Region said nurses at Advocate Health are “committed to delivering exceptional, evidence-based and equitable care for all.”

“It is a true honor to witness the remarkable impact they make in transforming lives through innovative and compassionate care every day,” Dus said.

Lozano’s desire to help others and love of science led to her pursuing a career in nursing.

She was inspired to specialize in diabetes education at a young age when her brother was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.

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Lozano noticed that their family’s physician did not provide the education necessary for her parents to successfully manage her brother’s disease and as a native Spanish-speaking family, the language barrier caused further disconnect.

11 years into her career as a nurse and seven years as a certified diabetes care and education specialist, Lozano has become the nurse that her family needed all those years ago.

“I hold diabetes very close to my heart. I truly love to bring education and empowerment to my patients, community and family,” Lozano said.

Her work extends beyond the walls of the hospital. She leads a diabetes support group and recently started another secondary support group for Spanish speakers.

Lozano also provides diabetes information and training sessions at local schools and community organizations.

“Victoria is an outstanding nurse with a gift for connecting meaningfully with her patients,” said Mary Roesch, Chief Nursing Officer at Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital.

“She also does an excellent job representing our hospital when she’s working out in the community to provide critical diabetes education,” Roesch said.

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“Often my patients need someone to see them and believe in them so they can be successful, and this Nurse of the Year recognition gives me the same feeling of encouragement,” Lozano said.

A second Advocate Health Care nurse, Leah Stein-Fredbeck, who serves as an assistant clinical manager in the New Life Center at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, was also selected as a 2024 Nurse of the Year for her “exemplary demonstration” of Advocate Health Care’s core nursing values and “unwavering delivery” of best-in-class care.

“Advocate Health nurses are committed to delivering exceptional, evidence-based and equitable care for all. It is a true honor to witness the remarkable impact they make in transforming lives through innovative and compassionate care every day,” Dus said.

While studying nursing at Chamberlain University in Addison, Stein-Fredbeck found her passion for women’s health, especially caring for birthing women.

She has been with Advocate Condell for nearly 11 years and is known for her leadership on the unit and compassion for her patients.

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“Leah is a leader among her peers; she serves as the chair of our house-wide Shared Governance Council, helping to shape nursing practice and enhance clinical outcomes,” said Rachel Loberg, Chief Nursing Officer at Advocate Condell.

“Additionally, as co-chair of our Perinatal Bereavement Committee Leah goes above and beyond to ensure that families experiencing this profound loss are supported through every stage of their grief,” Loberg said.

“The beauty of nursing is no two days are really the same and the joy in it is you can always do something different because nursing is unlimited,” Stein-Fredbeck said.

“This Nurse of the Year award is humbling; it’s wonderful to read what my nominator wrote about me and to know that my peers think highly of me,” she added.

Over 1,200 nominations for the premier award were received on behalf of nurses from a variety of specialties across the patient care continuum.

Nominations were submitted by clinicians and teammates and reviewed by peer committees.