Rep. Cedrick Frazier Honored with 2021 Public Official Award by Minnesota Nurses Association  (Page 24)

Frazier recognized alongside MNA nurse members honored for their outstanding efforts 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

(St. Paul) – November 12, 2021 – Last evening, State Representative Cedrick Frazier was honored by nurse members of the Minnesota Nurses Association with MNA’s 2021 Public Official Award. Rep. Frazier was recognized at a virtual ceremony alongside six nurse members honored with awards for their outstanding service over the last year. 

In nominating Rep. Frazier for the award, one MNA nurse member wrote: “His passion and advocacy for workers – especially essential workers coming out of this pandemic – has only grown as we have worked together to pass our priority legislation…Rep. Frazier will be a continued partner with nurses at the Capitol, as he shares the same goals and vision in creating more equitable public policy change.” 

As a freshman legislator, Rep. Frazier took on numerous MNA policy priorities, including authoring the Essential Workers Emergency Leave Act. This leadership helped to secure $250 million for frontline worker bonus pay, and Rep. Frazier now sits on the working group established to determine allocation of those funds. 

Rep. Frazier is also the lead author in the House for the Minnesota Health Plan, a proposed single-payer system which would put patients and workers ahead of corporate profits in health care. Rep. Frazier shares several other important priorities with the members of MNA, including mental health and public safety initiatives. 

Nurse Member Honors and Awards 

Along with the Public Official Award, six MNA nurse members were honored by their fellow nurses for their outstanding efforts and service. These awards are as follows: 

• Paul and Sheila Wellstone Social Justice Award. Honors a lifetime achievement of working to better the lives of others by increasing their access to quality healthcare.  

• Mable Fale – MNA nurse member who serves as chair of the MNA Racial Diversity Committee and as a member of the MNA Governmental Affairs Committee. Mable is a strong advocate for marginalized communities and helps BIPOC nurses realize their power in the workplace and our union.
• Mentorship in Nursing Award. Goes to a member who models values, attitudes, and behaviors consistent with those of our profession, helping nurses reach their full potential. 

• Braedyn Bosilovatz – As an RN at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, she is a role model and highly effective mentor to her fellow nurses.

• Audrey Logsdon/Geraldine Wedel Award. Honors nurses who have made significant contributions to nurses and the nursing practice through the union. 

• Sandie Anderson – A “lioness for nurses,” Sandie is a strong, persistent, and fair advocate. Over the years, Sandie has been instrumental in the Ethics, Health & Safety Committee and the Collective Bargaining Committee and has served on the MNA Board of Directors.

• Ruth L. Hass Excellence in Practice Award. Goes to nurses who have demonstrated expert knowledge and practice in their clinical area of nursing.  

• Kelly Allerdings-Terry – RN in Vascular Access at Fairview Southdale Hospital. 

• Sarah Tarleton Colvin Political Activist Award. Honors a nurse for activities above and beyond the nursing practice which further the political presence of nursing, and accomplish public policy changes that benefit the nursing profession.  

• Jeanette Doris-Marie Rupert – RN in the Med/Surg Unit at Park Nicollet—Methodist Hospital.

• President’s Award. Recognizes members who have made sustained and substantial contributions to MNA through active participation in organizational activities. 

• LouAnn Uhr – RN at Allina’s Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids. 

The honors ceremony also recognized the 49 recipients of scholarships awarded by the MNA Foundation to support nursing research and education, to further knowledge of our profession and the healthcare system.