Nursing Matters Summer 2008 - St. Mary Medical Center

SUMMER 2008D i s t i n c t i o n i n N u r s i n g E x c e l l e n c e Aw a r d sCongratulations to Our Nominees and WinnersSt. Mary nursing colleagues observedNurses’ Week, April 28 to May 2, with numerouscelebratory and recognition events.They included a blessing of the hands andecumenical service in the St. Mary Chapel;complimentary lunch and dinner; a celebrationof professional practice among nursingunits; and a special guest lecture.The week culminated with the Distinctionin Nursing Excellence Awards Gala,an annual program sponsored by theRecognition, Retention, and Recruitment(RRR) Council. The Distinction in NursingExcellence Awards are supported throughthe generosity of physicians, communitymembers, and the Spirit of Nursing Fund. nNominees for the Distinction in Nursing Excellence AwardsAnd the Winners Are...The competition was fierce; the judging, tough. But, after considering all the criteria, the following individualswere selected by the RRR Council as our 2008 Distinction in Nursing Excellence Award winners. Read onfor excerpts from the award nominations to learn more about these exceptionally dedicated and highlyrespected nursing colleagues — and to see how they exemplify nursing excellence at St. Mary.Excellence in Medical Surgical Practice — Tiffany Ryan Hamilton, RN (MS1A)“Tiffany is one of the most compassionate and knowledgeable nurses, treating all of her patients with theutmost respect and kindness. She is always going above and beyond to provide not only the comfort andphysical care required, but also the educational intervention to assure that they can care for themselves at thetime of discharge.”Welcome AboardSt. Mary Medical Center recently namedAudrey Jadczak, MHA, FACHE, RN, VicePresident and Chief Nurse Executive. Shepreviously served as Chief Nursing Officer atCentral Montgomery Medical Center. Look inour next issue of Nursing Matters for a profile ofour new nursing leader. nExcellence in Cardiovascular Nursing Practice — Dixon Cuff, RN (MG4)“Dixon has a great personality … often making staff laugh and patients smile. Hishumor often makes even the toughest days the most pleasant. He excels as both aclinician and a leader, assuming unit leadership responsibilities and serving as cocoordinatorfor the MG 4 colleague recognition. … He always has new ideas to improvethe work environment, patient satisfaction, and team building.”Continued on page 2

Nursing Excellence From Page 1Excellence in Critical Care Nursing Practice— Philomena John, RN (CVCU)“Phil is an excellent preceptor … easily mentoringand coaching new graduate nurses to a levelof critical care competency and confidence. Hersincerity and genuineness, coupled with her intelligenceand professionalism, is reassuring to herpatients and diminishes the fear and anxiety oftentypical in critical care patients. She is known for heroptimism and enthusiastic personality.”Excellence in OB/GYN Nursing Practice— Lori Misner, RN (Mother/Baby Unit)“Lori is top-notch … having the ability to expertlyhandle any patient situation or need that arises.She believes in the St. Mary mission … and livesit everyday by being a well-organized, diligent,and dedicated professional who compassionatelyattends to the needs of both patients and theirfamilies. She is an active unit council member and avalued member of the RRR Committee.”Excellence in Emergency and TraumaNursing Practice — Patricia Harbison, RN (ED)“Trish exemplifies the degree of empathy, compassion,and professionalism to which every nurseshould aspire. Her dedication to providing highqualitycare is evident in her everyday interactionswith colleagues and patients. She has championedevery program introduced to the ED and assisted inthe development of the T.O.U.C.H. initiative, a programaimed at keeping patients and their familiesup to date with information.”Excellence in Pediatric Nursing Practice— Michelle Joseph, RN (ED–Pediatric)“Michelle is dedicated to expanding the pediatricprogram at St. Mary Medical Center by mentoringnew practitioners and developing clinicalcompetence among her colleagues. Her gift to herpatients and colleagues is a ‘calming hand’… thisgesture is offered and accepted to remind her coworkersto stay calm and follow our sound nursingjudgment.”Excellence in Nursing Leadership — MegAshton, RN (Trauma Program Manager)“Meg’s professionalism and leadership is inspiring… demonstrating intelligence, integrity, andknowledge to anyone who comes in contact withher. Her leadership and commitment to the traumaprogram have resulted in a revised peer review process,clinical guideline revisions, and most recentfoundation accreditation.”Excellence in Nursing Education Practice— Shari Cammon, RN (Nursing Education)“Shari is a great resource who is committed tonursing excellence. She is well-respected not onlyfor her broad expanse of nursing knowledge, butmore so for her ability to make learning fun. Herflexibility and willingness to educate on the spotmake her a valued colleague on the Telemetryunits. She has participated in many hospital-wideinitiatives and has coordinated the revision ofmany practices and policies to support evidencebasedpractice.”Excellence in Oncology Nursing Practice— Jill Matz, RN (Oncology)“Jill shares her commitment to nursing excellencethrough the development of nursing standardsand chemotherapy protocols … coordinating thetransition to the outpatient transfusion setting. Jillsums up her love for oncology nursing: ‘I don’t thinkI could ever leave oncology now … it’s who I am!’”Community Service/Activity ExcellenceAward — Anne Harkins, RN (ASU)“Anne has led the departmental initiatives torecognize the needs of the less fortunate and toorganize activities in support of meeting thoseneeds. Her orchestration of the annual Thanksgivingbaskets, the adopt-a-family at Christmas, andthe annual volunteer luncheon are a few examplesof her wonderful work. Her pleasant demeanor andexuberant personality make her a perfect nurse forthe Ambulatory Care Unit.”

Excellence in Perioperative Award — ErlaneCampos–Kilkenny, RN (OR)“Erl is described by her peers as … professional,caring and helpful, a nurse who has greatknowledge and skills, and always a pleasure to workwith. Many have benefited from her dedicationand knowledge in the field of orthopedics. Hercommitment to patient safety and evidence-basedpractice is evidenced for every patient in every case.”Excellence in LPN Nursing Practice — JudyLoucks, LPN (MS1A)“Everyone is always willing to help Judy ...because she is the first to offer help to others. Shetakes great pride in her work and truly cares for patientsas if they were her own family members. Shegets the greatest pleasure and reward when herpatients ask her if she is ‘coming back tonight?’ Hersense of humor and wonderful spirit have made adifference in the practice of every nurse on MS1A.”Excellence in Perianesthesia NursingPractice — Karen Skalski RN (ASU)“Karen is described as having a special way withpatients and their families. Her personality exudeskindness and compassion. Her entire time is spentanticipating and meeting the needs of our surgicalpatients. Her approach is calm, informative, reassuringand caring, always making sure that her patientsare at ease and families are kept well-informed.”Excellence in Rehabilitative Nursing Practice— Sister RoseMarie Lynch, RN (Rehab Unit)“Sister Rose’s religious vocation and nursingprofession blend perfectly together and speakloudly of her commitment to a life of integrity andservice to others. Her greatest reward is to providecare and offer hope of independence to those whohave suffered a loss, making a connection withthe individual, supporting him or her physically,emotionally, and spiritually.”Excellence in Ancillary and Support TeamMember — Jodie McCutcheon (MS1D)“As a Unit Clerk, Jodie is described by hercolleagues as excelling in all that she does …. alwaysconducting herself in a professional demeanor andvolunteering to help others on her unit or whateverunit may need her assistance. She is friendly,easygoing, and quick to learn and teach others.”Excellence in Nursing Preceptor/Mentoring— Dot Tonzelli, RN (CVCU)“Phenomenal is one word used to describe thisenergetic, enthusiastic, optimistic nurse. Alwaysopen and receptive to any questions, Dot isrecognized as a teacher, role model, and friend. Dotbelieves her success with orientees is to provide thedirection and support to acquire the clinical skillsand competence required in critical care, assuringthe new colleague focuses on the patient in the bedrather than on the monitor hanging above the bed.She fosters independent thinking and challengeseveryone she meets to think critically.”Excellence in NursingProfessional TeamMember — DonnaMcNeill, RN, BSN, ONC(Joint Care Coordinator)“Invaluable is one word used to describe Donnafor both patients and colleagues. Often recognizedas the driving force behind our total joint replacementprogram’s reputation for excellence, Donnaquietly works with patients and physicians to readythe patient long before admission and to set upplans for discharge prior to the patient’s leaving. Hertalent and commitment to working collaborativelyis focused on one end result …. a patient experiencethat exceeds all expectations!”Excellence in Nursing Practice; Innovationand Search for the Best Practice Award— The Center for Joint Replacement“This unique group of professional colleagues,RNs, LPNs, NAs, rehabilitation professionals, SocialService colleagues, unit clerks, care managers andphysicians collaborate together to exemplify theconcept of patient-focused care delivered by amultidisciplinary team. The objective of theprogram is to involve the patient in every aspect ofhis or her care, ensuring a successful recovery andoutcome. In 2006, the program received the JointCommission’s Gold Seal of Approval for Disease-Specific Care in total joint replacement. This outstandingrecognition was the first in Pennsylvaniaand only the 14th in the United States. The programwas recertified in 2008.” n

AdvancingOur Skills andKnowledgeCongratulations to the following nurses forearning new certifications in their specialties:n Lisa Crossland, RN (Oncology),palliative carennnnnKatie Hooven, RN (ASU), ambulatorycare nursing (CAPA)Hea Sook Koh, RN (IV Team), IV therapyKimberly Leip, BSN, RN, OCN,MammaCare Breast Self-Examination(BSE) instructorSue Lyons, RN (ASU), ambulatory carenursing (CAPA)Marilyn Piemontese, RN (PACU), postanesthesianursing (CPAN) nCultural DiversityPresentationPatty Gilbert, MSN, RN, made a presentationon cultural diversity during the Junemeeting of the Southeastern PennsylvaniaOrganization of Nursing Leaders. nGraduate NursesA warm “St. Mary” welcome to our newly hiredgraduate nurses:n Katherine Carrolln Crystal Crosleyn Erica DePalman Mary DiGirolamon Jessica Drivern Susan Dugann Jerrica Ewaldn Deb Fanaron Patrice Feldmann Pamela HertzelSave the DateNursing SymposiumNovember 6, 2008Guest Speaker:n Jennifer Hinkeln Silvana Jackmann Pamela Jacksonn Shannon Kamasan Sekou Keitan Kimberly McClayn Lindsey Milroyn Stacey Palaion Deanna SoulenZane Robinson Wolf, RN, PhDDean, School of Nursing and Health SciencesLaSalle University nGuardian AngelsThe following nursing colleagues were recognized recently through the St. Mary Medical CenterFoundation’s Guardian Angel program:Sue Ansel, RNMary Banar, RNHeather Barro-Sabatini RNMaureen Barth, RNPam Bergmaier, NADavid Blay, NAEthel Brillantes, RNAmanda Calderone, NAFrancise Canfield, RNAnnamarie Coogan, RNPatricia Crozier, LPNShannon Engle, RNInge Gannon, RNChris Gleason, RNCongratulations, Graduates!nnnnYvonne Gonzales, NACheyron Hawthorne, RNMegan Hill, RNLijimol Jacob, NAStacey Joseph, RNChris Karuiki, NAMarsha Katz, RNLiz Koenig, NALauren Lohoefer, TechAnna Luff, RNRenee McBride, RNChudi Ogbenna, NACathy Provost, RNShirley Reading, NAKala Christiansen, RN (ED), earned a Master of Science degree in nursing from LaSalleUniversityMary Ellen Davis, LPN, Performance Improvement Coordinator, earned a Bachelor of Sciencedegree in health services management from Philadelphia UniversityGretchen Forsyth, RN (Nursing Supervisor), received a Master of Science degree in nursingfrom Gwynedd–Mercy CollegeAnna Stunda, RN (Cath Lab), completed a Master of Science degree in nursing from LaSalleUniversity nWelcome AboardCarol Pilotti, RN, CRRN, BSPA, joins St. Maryas Nurse Manager for the Acute InpatientRehabilitation Unit. Pilotti previously workedat Abington Memorial Hospital for 20 years asnurse manager for its medical surgery and inpatientrehab unit. After graduating from nursingschool, she served as an active duty Air Forcenurse. She is enrolled in the master’s programin healthcare administration at St. Joseph’s Collegeof Maine.Nursing Matters is published collaboratively by the Marketing & Communications Department and St. Marynursing colleagues. Submit news items to vreed@stmaryhealthcare.org, paledger@stmaryhealthcare.org, orcmeyers@stmaryhealthcare.org.Jackie Rebholz, RNMary Reilly, RNLorie Schnitzer, RNDebbie Shore, RNRosland Siligato, RNTina Simpson, RNTracey Snodgrass, UCCindy Spector, NAJudith St. Hilaire, NASaybah Torjlar, NACaroline Wachira, NAInez Waugh, NACarrie Weiss, RNSteve West, RN nThe Acute Inpatient Rehab Unit also welcomes:n Candice Alexander, NAn Julie Casano, NAn Silvana Jackman, RNn Alyssa Tressler, NAn Maria Tyler, NA