KANSAS CITY, Mo., (Jul. 14, 2025) – The Research Foundation’s annual continuing education awards given to health care workers at regional hospitals have been presented to Belton Regional Medical Center employees. Elizabeth DeWitt is the 2025 recipient of the Hal M. Quinn Excellence in Nursing Award and Catrina Wessels is the 2025 recipient of the Kathy DeGrande Award for Excellence.
DeWitt is a staff nurse in the ICU at Belton Regional Medical Center. With over 30 years of nursing experience, DeWitt was recognized for her exceptional clinical expertise, personal integrity, and dedication to patient care. Nominated by Kelly Becker, Director of Critical Care at Belton Regional Medical Center, DeWitt is praised as a calm, knowledgeable leader who consistently delivers high standards of care and serves as a trusted mentor and role model to fellow nurses. Her willingness to teach, her compassionate presence, and her unwavering commitment to her patients have earned the deep respect of her peers.
The Hal M. Quinn Excellence in Nursing Award was created in honor of former board member and chairman of The Research Foundation, Hal Quinn. Quinn passed away in May 2013. The award provides $1,500 for continuing education to a nurse who commits to excellent patient care, has an interest in the welfare of others, inspires nurses to be their very best; serves as role model for other nurses, possesses personal integrity, and is involved in the community.
Wessels, a surgical technologist with 31 years of experience—including 10 at Belton Regional Medical Center—has played a key role in advancing surgical care. Known for her preparedness, initiative, and ability to anticipate surgical team needs, she also serves as the hospital’s robotic coordinator. Since 2019, she has led the implementation and growth of the da Vinci robotic surgery program, streamlining processes, training staff, and improving outcomes. A committed mentor, Wessels guided Belton’s first MedCerts trainees and is known for boosting morale and fostering teamwork. Her nomination by Dr. Austin Lehr, Medical Staff President, Chair of the Department of Surgery, Trauma Medical Director, and Chair or the Robotics Committee at Belton Regional Medical Center, and Mary Mathis-Miller, Director of Surgical Services at Belton Regional Medical Center, highlights her lasting impact and dedication to excellence.
The Kathy DeGrande Award for Excellence was created to honor Kathy DeGrande, former vice president and chief financial officer at Research Medical Center and Research Belton Hospital, now Belton Regional Medical Center. DeGrande passed away March 2000. The award provides $1,000 for continuing education to a full-time or part-time health care professional that is committed to excellence, abiding interest in the welfare of their co-workers, has a zest for life, and a sense of humor.
Both awards are given annually to area health care professionals who work at hospitals in the region including AdventHealth Shawnee Mission, Belton Regional Medical Center, Cass Regional Medical Center, Centerpoint Medical Center, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Golden Valley Medical Center, Liberty Hospital, Olathe Medical Center, Research Medical Center, Truman Medical Center, and Western Missouri Medical Center. Funds can be used to attend local, regional, or national symposiums or applied to tuition, textbooks, journals, and other professional materials. Recipients can also accept the award as a taxable stipend.
The Research Foundation supports professional development in health care through several other continuing education opportunities. Visit theresearchfoundationkc.org/what-we-do to learn more
