Kathy Zarling Award of Excellence

The Kathy Zarling Award of Excellence is a yearly award given in recognition of outstanding contributions by an individual currently working or who has worked in cardiac and/or pulmonary rehabilitation. 

In 2023, we renamed the award of excellence to honor Kathy Zarling. Kathy was a chart member of MNACPVR starting back in 1990. She served as a Board member, President, Chair and on numerous committees. She has worked in nursing since 1970 and although she is retired, continues to work for Mayo as a Smoking Cessation Specialist and as a parish nurse. 

2024 Kathy Zarling Recipient: Anita LaHaye

Anita was nominated for the Kathy Zarling Award of Excellence by fellow board member Whitney Quast. 

Here is what Whitney had to say about Anita and why she nominated her for the award:

Anita and I joined the MNACVPR Board around the same time 12ish years ago.  I always thought about how lucky her patients and coworkers must be to work with and be cared for by such a cool person.  I’d have to settle for our quarterly board meetings together.  The wit, charm, and humor Anita brings to conversations is a real gift.  She is oh-so-talented.  I suspect, due to stumbling across the fact that she tap dances, that she has many unique unbeknownst talents.  Her willingness to think innovatively and try new things have led to MNACVPR Advocacy Committee, communication collaborations at conferences, and lots of great conference speakers and topics.  A Google search led me to learn she was one of Mpls.St.Paul Magazine’s 2017 finalists for the Outstanding Nurses Award – didn’t know this, but not surprised.

Anita, thank you for all your ongoing contributions and roles within Cardiopulmonary Rehab and MNACVPR.  You make a positive impact on us all.  See you on the courts soon!

-Whitney

Poem for Anita, by co-worker Jill Carter 

The Kathy Zarling Award of Excellence is brand new, 

Named after a legend, we all know that’s true. 

It’s an award that’s given to the best of the best, 

To someone who stands out from all the rest. 

The recipient must have qualities like passion for the field, 

No matter the roadblocks, they won’t yield. 

Honesty, integrity, love for patient care, 

Intelligence, empathy, very self-aware. 

They must serve as a mentor and leader even when, 

Patience can be tested again and again. 

Helping plan conferences like this one you know, 

So cardiac & pulmonary professionals can grow. 

It makes perfect sense Anita is in the spotlight, 

MNAVPR got this totally right! 

Congratulations- we are understandably wowed, 

Everyone here is very proud! 

Previous Recipients:

2023: Kris Mrosak

2022: Karen Hodgeman

2020: Whitney Quast

2019: Dennis Angellotti

2018: Paul Spilde

2017: Sharon Madson

2015: Teresa Fietek

2011: John Inkset

2010: Peg Bear

2009: Kathy Zarling