HackensackUMC Celebrates Achievements in Nursing at 2013 Nursing Excellence Awards Ceremony

Hackensack University Medical Center recently honored the efforts and achievements of its nursing staff earlier this month at the 2013 Nursing Excellence Awards Ceremony. The ceremony celebrated various aspects of nursing such as Clinical Care, Education, Advancing and Leading the Profession, Innovation, Mentoring, Non-Clinical Nursing, Service to the Community, Management, Research, Team Spirit, and Friends of Nursing.

“At our annual awards ceremony, we bestow awards to nurses who have significantly distinguished themselves as beacons of excellence in their fields,” said Dianne Aroh, RN, executive vice president, chief nursing and patient care officer at HackensackUMC. “Each one of our nominees are an inspiration to all.”

The event was well-attended by several hundred HackensackUMC nurses, employees, friends, and family. This year’s award recipients and annual video honoring the hard work of all HackensackUMC nurses, titled Delivering Quality and Innovation in Patient Care, received a standing ovation. In addition to achievement awards, several scholarships were awarded. The Ann Stark Hess Scholarship was awarded to Lorraine Krivak, BSN, RN, CPN and Charina Ballesteros, BSN, RN, CCRN-CSC; and the Ellen Casapulla Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Christine Lisa, RN, OCN and Lucia Izzo, BSN, RN-C, CES, RYT.

The winners in each category of nursing excellence are as follows:

• Marybel Zapotosky, RN, CNOR, Advancing and Leading the Profession
• Eileen Kochis-Whittman, BSN, RN, CURN, Clinical Care
• Ann Marie Wisniewski, MSN, RN, AOCN, Education
• Eric Durfee, Friends of Nursing
• Kristy Salloum, BSN, RN, CEN, CWOCN, Innovation
• Victoria Sica, MPA, BSN, RN, CCRP, Management
• Wendy Neidich, BSN, RN, Mentoring
• Patricia Megaris, RN, Non-Clinical Nursing
• Danielle Schillen, BSN, RN, OCN, MPH, CCRP, Research
• Carol Minarick, BSN, RN, CSN, CPN, Service to the Community
• Inpatient Pediatric Oncology Hematology, Team Spirit

“As any physician or hospital administrator will tell you, nurses are the backbone and the engine of every hospital. Their work is invaluable, and their efforts save lives every single day,” said Robert C. Garrett, president and chief executive officer of Hackensack University Health Network. “On behalf of everyone at HackensackUMC, I want to thank you for your hard work, dedication and commitment to our patients and their families. Congratulations on all that you have achieved.”

About Hackensack University Medical Center
HackensackUMC, a nonprofit teaching and research hospital located in Bergen County, NJ, is the largest provider of inpatient and outpatient services in the state. It is the flagship hospital of the Hackensack University Health Network, one of the largest health networks in the state comprised of 1,140 beds, nearly 10,000 employees and 2,200 credentialed physicians.HackensackUMC was listed as the number one hospital in New Jersey and one of the top four New York metro area hospitals by the U.S. News & World Report, and has received nine national rankings in: Cancer; Cardiology & Heart Surgery; Ear, Nose & Throat; Gastroenterology; Geriatrics; Neurology & Neurosurgery; Orthopedics; Urology; and the Joseph M. Sanzari Children’s Hospital ranked as one of the Top 25 Best Children’s Hospitals for Neurology and Neurosurgery in the 2012-13 Best Children’s Hospitals list. HackensackUMC is among Healthgrades® America’s Best 100 Hospitals in 10 different areas – more than any other hospital in the nation, is one of Healthgrades America's 50 Best Hospitals™ for seven years in a row, and received the Healthgrades Distinguished Hospital Award for Clinical Excellence™ 11 years in a row. The medical center has also been named a Leapfrog Top Hospital, and received 19 Gold Seals of Approval™ by the Joint Commission – more than any other hospital in the country. It was the first hospital in New Jersey and second in the nation to become a Magnet® recognized hospital for nursing excellence. HackensackUMC is the Hometown Hospital of the New York Giants and the New York Red Bulls, and remains committed to its community through fundraising and community events. To learn more, visit: www.HackensackUMC.org.   

###

Back