HHC Nurses Honored for Remarkable Service and Dedication to Patient Care
American Nurse Documentary Producer Carolyn Jones Receives Nurse Champion Award
Oct 28, 2014
The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) today honored six nurse professionals for their dedication and commitment to providing outstanding service to patients, the community and support for their colleagues. HHC Nursing Excellence Awards are given for outstanding leadership, improving patient outcomes, excellence in management, commitment to education and teamwork, and community service. HHC is also presenting its second annual HHC Nursing Champion Award to Carolyn Jones, Director of The American Nurse, for her work in supporting and elevating the voices of nurses in the United States. Her documentary follows the work of five nurses, inspiring a newfound appreciation for nurses and the challenges they face.
“HHC nurses are extraordinary leaders, mentors, role models, caregivers and healers. They are an essential part of our workforce and embody our mission to care for all New Yorkers and keep our communities healthy,” said Dr. Ram Raju, HHC President. “I am proud of our nurses for their commitment to our patients’ wellbeing and their role in helping HHC become a leader in the transformation of healthcare in New York City.”
The award winners were nominated by their colleagues across the corporation in recognition of their exceptional achievements and commitment to providing the best possible care and experience for patients. The honorees are among the 8,000 nurses at HHC — men and women who provide care each day to New Yorkers in HHC public hospitals, long-term care facilities, health centers, and home care across the five boroughs.
“Today’s recipients represent HHC’s Guiding Principles by always keeping patients first and pursuing excellence in the clinical, educational, and philanthropic spheres of the profession,” said Lauren Johnston, RN, MPA, NEA-BC, FACHE, Senior Assistant Vice President, HHC Corporate Chief Nurse Executive. “Their accomplishments are an example of what it means to be a leader on the front lines of healthcare.”
2014 Nursing Excellence Award winners:
- Marian McNamara, RN, MSN, Sea View Hospital, Rehabilitation Center & Home – Received the award for “Excellence in Management” for her exceptional clinical and managerial skills. She has served at Sea View for more than 14 years, contributing to positive patient and employee satisfaction results, helping residents acclimate to their new environment, and establishing a Committee to effectively treat and prevent pressure ulcers.
- Grace Ann Rodicol, BSN, CNOR, Elmhurst Hospital Center – Received the award for “Excellence in Volunteerism and Service” for her dedication and compassion to provide health aid and education through international volunteer efforts, and through her work at Times Square Church in Manhattan where she participates in local outreach and health fairs. As a perioperative nurse, she uses that same compassion to comfort and provide quality care for those who need it most – particularly children and those suffering from chronic medical conditions.
- Lovely Simon, RNC, Coney Island Hospital – Received the award for “Excellence in Clinical Nursing, Inpatient” for her ongoing educational efforts to teach and share knowledge with staff, and develop curriculum to improve patient care. She is dedicated to improving clinical practice and the patient experience by providing culturally and linguistically competent care, making every effort to pair patients with nurses who share language or culture background.
- Michael Impollonia, RN, MSN, NE-BC, Woodhull Medical Center– Received the award for “Excellence in Education and Mentorship” for his creative and innovative approach as a teacher and leader. He promotes a culture of safety and quality patient care through training and development programs, and has advanced the profession of nursing as one that uses research and evidence-based practice as the basis for excellence in clinical protocols and innovation in patient care.
- Terry Hunte, RN, BSN, Kings County Hospital Center – Received the award for “Excellence in Advancing and Leading the Profession” for her wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience in emergency nursing, informatics, project management and patient safety. She has successfully implemented tools using HHC’s Breakthrough method to help improve staff training and skills, and organize workflow.
- Jeanmarie Fitch, BSN, CLC, CCM, Health & Home Care – Received the award for “Excellence in Home, Community or Ambulatory Care” for her service as an educator, mentor, and role model for new home care clinicians by providing excellent one-to-one training. Her hands-on and supportive approach to training has been so successful that it has been adopted by the H&HC Education Department as the new training standard.
More than 30 nurses were nominated for the Nursing Excellence Awards. Winners were chosen by a committee, including last year’s winners.
Contact: Ian Michaels, 212-788-3339, ian.michaels@nychhc.org
Jennifer Bender, 212-788-3339, Benderj1@nychhc.org
About NYC Health + Hospitals
The NYC Health + Hospitals health care system is a $6.7 billion integrated healthcare delivery system, the largest municipal healthcare organization in the country, and one of the New York area’s largest providers of government-sponsored health insurance, MetroPlusHealth Health Plan, the plan of choice for nearly half a million New Yorkers. The NYC Health + Hospitals health care system serves 1.4 million New Yorkers every year and more than 475,000 are uninsured. The system provides medical, mental health and substance abuse services through its 11 acute care hospitals, five skilled nursing facilities, six large diagnostic and treatment centers and more than 70 community based clinics. NYC Health + Hospitals/Home Care also provides in-home services for New Yorkers. The NYC Health + Hospitals system was the 2008 recipient of the National Quality Forum and The Joint Commission’s John M. Eisenberg Award for Innovation in Patient Safety and Quality. For more information, visit www.nychealthandhospitals.org or find us on https://www.facebook.com/NYCHealthSystem or twitter.com/NYCHealthSystem.