Transformational leadership shapes the future of nursing at MultiCare. This section highlights how nurses lead through mentorship, professional growth and a commitment to lifelong learning. These efforts honor leadership at every level and strengthen nursing today and for generations to come.
2025 Brenda Bowles Award recipient
The Brenda Bowles Clinical Leadership Development Scholarship honors Bowles’ career and her commitment to ongoing learning, mentorship and leadership development.
Bowles worked at MultiCare for more than 34 years, starting as a health unit coordinator at MultiCare Allenmore Hospital. With a passion for ongoing training and education — living up to Florence Nightingale’s belief that nurses “must be learning all of our lives” — she advanced her career as an intensive care nurse, charge nurse, nurse manager, clinical informatics team member and director of clinical informatics.
The Bowles scholarship was established in 2021 by the colleagues, friends and family she inspired throughout her decades of service to her community. The annual honor is awarded to an exceptional individual who embodies the values and personal commitment modeled by Bowles, serving as a lasting reminder of her impact and legacy.
This year’s Brenda Bowles Clinical Leadership Development Scholarship recipient is Mariyam Arifova, RN, BSN.
Congratulations, Mariyam Arifova
Arifova is a nurse with the med-surg intensive care unit (ICU) at MultiCare Auburn Medical Center. Professional leadership and personal development have been hallmarks of her career.
In the video below, Arifova shares why the scholarship is so meaningful, how she plans to use the funds and her appreciation for the person who nominated her — Mariola Flores, MSN, RN, CCRN, assistant clinical nurse manager with the ICU at Auburn Medical Center.
Nomination
Here are key highlights from Flores’ nomination that illustrate why Arifova is a worthy recipient of a scholarship that honors Brenda Bowles’s leadership, passion, deep integrity and drive toward excellence in patient care.
“Mariyam has proven herself to be a passionate and engaged nurse, always striving to enhance her skills, elevate patient care and contribute to the ongoing development of her peers and the profession as a whole.
“(She) has demonstrated a strong and ongoing commitment to her professional development and growth, continuously seeking opportunities to expand her knowledge and expertise in critical care nursing.
“Mariyam demonstrates exceptional informal leadership through her active participation and leadership roles in multiple quality and safety committees and the System Nursing Quality and Safety Council.
“Beyond formal coursework, Mariyam has actively pursued learning opportunities outside of the workplace. She not only applies this knowledge to her own practice but also shares insights with colleagues, contributing to the ongoing development of the entire team.
“Mariyam is a regular attendee at Mount to Sound Chapter AACN lecture dinners, further demonstrating her commitment to lifelong learning and professional engagement. These events provide valuable opportunities for networking, knowledge-sharing and exposure to emerging trends in critical care nursing. Her consistent attendance highlights her dedication to professional growth and her proactive approach to staying at the forefront of critical care nursing advancements.
“Mariyam has played a crucial role in developing and mentoring others within the department, demonstrating a deep commitment to fostering both individual growth and overall team excellence. As a preceptor, she has guided and supported two students, providing them with not only clinical knowledge but also the confidence and critical thinking skills necessary for success in a critical care setting.
“Her mentorship extends beyond students to core staff members — approximately five nurses — as well as numerous travelers, ensuring that all team members, regardless of experience level or tenure, feel supported and well-prepared to provide high-quality patient care.”