Dr. James Wierman’s regional and international efforts were recognized with the Borgess Lamplighter Award.

Wierman teaches and is on the board of the Episcopal University of Haiti, a four-year baccalaureate school of nursing, and repeatedly visits Haiti to serve the poor and vulnerable.
He has been a champion of nurses at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital for the past four decades. He started the Cass County Free Health Clinic to help the area’s 6,000 uninsured residents.
After “retiring” in 2011, he serves as hospitalist, as well as chief of staff and chief of medicine at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital.
Wierman will be recognized with the 2012 Borgess Lamplighter Award at the sixth annual Friends of Borgess Nursing Endowment Fund Awards Dinner May 9 at Western Michigan University’s Fetzer Center in Kalamazoo.
“Dr. Wierman extends his professional light to nursing, the community and around the globe,” said Joy Strand, administrator and chief operating officer, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital.
“He lives the Borgess reputation and the world is a better place because of his devotion.”
Wierman has partnered with the nursing staff to improve patient care, according to Katie Brick, chief nursing officer, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital.
“Partnerships resulted in the development of nursing-driven protocols and evidence-based practice policies and procedures,” said Brick. “He is a patient, respectful, supportive teacher to nurses. He takes time to explain concepts.
“For instance, Dr. Wierman shows nurses how to look-up evidenced-based practice information,” Brick said. “He views all communication as an educational opportunity, volunteering to provide in-services to nurses on many concepts and topics. This passion for teaching and working with nurses takes place at Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital, as well as at his adopted school of nursing in Haiti, where he teaches and served on their board.”
On his honeymoon, Wierman went to Haiti for the first time, according to Sue McCormick, director, administrative services, Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital and Foundation. “They ended up living there for a year helping those in need.”
When the earthquake hit Haiti in 2010, Wierman and a team of medical providers mobilized to offer medical assistance, according to McCormick.
“He even helped nine young Haitians receive advanced care in America as ‘humanitarian parolees.’ ”
“Dr. Wierman’s caring, thoughtful assistance to others is a wonderful example of our mission and values,” said Paul Spaude, president and CEO of Borgess Health.