Bettie Green among nursing legend award honorees

Las Cruces’ own Bettie Green is among the nursing legends being honored by the New Mexico Center For Nursing Excellence. The annual Nursing Legend Awards honorees will be celebrated at an awards gala Apr. 11. Honorees of 24 different categories of distinctive nursing awards will also be announced in person at the gala.

The New Mexico Nursing Legend Awards are presented to fully retired nurses whose careers have significantly enhanced the nursing profession in New Mexico. This year’s recipients are Pamela J. Demarest, RN, ADN, BS, MSN, MBA; Barbara Balik, Ed.D, M.S., R.N; Crystal Frantz, MSN, RN, CCM; Carolyn J. Green, MBA, BSN, RN; and Bettie Green, PhD, MSN, MS, BSN, RN.

“These nursing legends’ tireless dedication have touched and healed countless lives, leaving a lasting impact across New Mexico,” said Rachael Frija, DNP, RN, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, board president of the New Mexico Center For Nursing Excellence. “The Nursing Legends Awards honors the extraordinary dedication at the heart of our profession and stands as a guiding light for the nurses who will follow.”

Demarest devoted more than 50 years to expanding access to high-quality care across New Mexico. As the inaugural director of the state’s only liver transplant program, she helped bring lifesaving services to New Mexicans and led statewide education and outreach to support donors and recipients. Her leadership has shaped nursing practice and access to care statewide.

Balik is a national leader in patient safety whose work has had a lasting impact on nursing in New Mexico. With more than 25 years as a healthcare executive and quality leader, she pioneered approaches to reducing harm and strengthening cultures of safety. In New Mexico, she helped advance the role of the patient safety officer, elevating safety and quality across organizations. Through teaching, mentorship, and board service, Balik consistently amplified the voices of nurses and frontline staff while advocating for patient- and family-centered care.

Frantz began her healthcare journey as a volunteer, igniting a lifelong commitment to service. After graduating from the University of New Mexico College of Nursing in 1983, she served 11 years in the U.S. Naval Corps, developing the leadership that defined her career.

Returning to New Mexico, she became a leader in pediatric care, pulmonary outreach, and case management. At UNM Hospitals, Frantz led initiatives that improved patient flow, reduced length of stay, expanded long-term care partnerships, and created innovative programs for patients with complex needs, including respite care for unhoused individuals.

Carolyn J. Green has practiced nursing in New Mexico since 1985, dedicating her career to advancing women’s and infant health. At UNMH and later as chief nursing officer at Presbyterian Health Services, she led baby-friendly initiatives and improved care for mothers with substance use disorders. A long-time leader within AWHONN, Green also educated nursing students and volunteered with organizations such as the March of Dimes and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Even in retirement, she continues to support nursing through charitable fundraising and community engagement.

Bettie Green has been a tireless advocate for pediatric and oncology nursing in Southern New Mexico for more than 50 years. She helped open the region’s first special care unit for critically ill children and became its first oncology-trained pediatric nurse.

“I am deeply honored and sincerely grateful to be recognized as a Nursing Legend,” Green said. “Above all, I am thankful to God, whose guidance, strength, and grace have sustained me throughout my life and career. This recognition is truly humbling, as my work in nursing has always been a calling rooted in service, compassion, and advocacy for children, families, and the nursing profession.”

Through education, mentorship, and collaboration with UNM, she expanded access to specialized care closer to home. She also built community support systems for families facing childhood cancer.

“I share this honor with the many dedicated nurses, physicians, educators, and community partners who walked alongside me over the years, particularly those committed to advancing pediatric and oncology care in Southern New Mexico,” Green said. “Nursing has given me far more than I could ever give in return. To be entrusted with the care of children and families during their most vulnerable moments has been one of the greatest privileges of my life.”

Even in retirement, Green continues to mentor nurses, embodying the true spirit of a nursing legend.

“I remain committed to mentoring and encouraging the next generation of nurses,” Green said. “I wish to thank the Center for Nursing Excellence for this meaningful recognition and for celebrating the enduring impact of nursing.”

Bettie Green, a long-time resident of Las Cruces, is the sister of Bobbie Green, Ph.D., who is president of the Doña Ana Branch of the NAACP. Their parents moved to Las Cruces in 1941.

The New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence is hosting its 21st annual Nursing Excellence Awards. More information is available on the New Mexico Center for Nursing Excellence’s website. 

This year’s gala will be on Saturday, Apr. 11 at Sandia Resort & Casino, starting at 5:30 p.m. with a reception.