Getting to Know You
Monday May 22, 2006
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Last month, we announced the Florida finalists for this year's Nursing Spectrum Excellence Awards.These exemplary nurses, nominated by their peers in six categories - Advancing and Leading the Profession, Clinical Care, Community Service, Management, Mentoring, and Teaching - were selected from among many noteworthy RNs.
We'd like to introduce you to the 30 regional finalists. Winners will be named at the June 9 Florida Nursing Spectrum Excellence Awards gala:
Advancing and Leading
the Profession
Dolores Asselin, RN, BA, MA, director, NAD, PACU, admission center, bed throughput, Sarasota Memorial Hospital
After nearly 40 years in clinical practice, Asselin's zest for her work still fires up fellow nurses. New grads look up to her and think, "I can do that!" She has streamlined processes and helped ensure the success of the ED's new guarantee
of evaluation by a physician within 30 minutes and, if admitted, placement in a bed within two hours. She brings about positive outcomes while maintaining an inner peace and tranquility of spirit. Her peers can't help but think she was born to be a nurse.
Tryce Cabaj, RN, ONC, assistant nurse manager, orthopedic/neuro/trauma unit, North Broward Medical Center
Cabaj stays cool under pressure. Staff nurses feel comfortable coming to her and view her as an expert resource. They draw on her wisdom and experience in assessing patients for suspected complications. No matter how busy the day, Cabaj always wears a smile, and staff and physicians alike enjoy working with her. She has
lectured about pain management to community college nursing students and published a paper about epidural analgesia
in a professional journal.
Janet Maloney, RN, MSM/HM, CNA, BC, 12-Bed Hospital project manager, Baptist Hospital of Miami
A true visionary, Maloney came up with the concept for a 12-bed hospital where patient care facilitators assume responsibility for about a dozen patients. She piloted the idea and turned the model into a program adopted throughout the facility. More than 40 patient care facilitators now ensure better outcomes at this Magnet hospital. Maloney's passion and drive motivate fellow nurses. With her encouragement, 14 patient care facilitators have enrolled in the Clinical Nurse Leader program at Florida Atlantic University. She has taught undergraduate courses, participates in research activities, and has been an invited guest presenter at 16 professional and academic conferences.
Karmel McCarthy, RN, BSN, MAOM, coordinator of patients with special needs, Memorial Hospital West
Empathetic and nonjudgmental, McCarthy educates and advocates for patients with special needs. She empowers patients by giving them tools, including some she developed, that aid in communicating with nurses and physicians. As the mother of a child with special needs, she truly understands what it's like to be in this situation. McCarthy spearheaded changes to hospital policies to benefit those with special needs. If she doesn't have an immediate solution to a person's problem, she will do whatever it takes to find the answer. She's dedicated to changing people's lives for the better, one patient at a time.
Dee Anne McMichael, RN, CCRN
cardiovascular coordinator, Florida Hospital Zephyrhills
Always leading by example, McMichael motivates other nurses to provide excellent care by rendering it herself. She inspires fellow nurses to take pride in the floor by discussing unit-specific topics and encouraging discussions about all aspects of daily activities. She believes that "together we are an awesome team." When approached for guidance on clinical issues, she explains the concepts and refers peers to clinical experts when they need more information. She exemplifies all aspects of what a dedicated nurse is and promotes respect for the profession.
Clinical Care
Gayle Aguirre, RN, MSN, BC-ADM, CDE, diabetes nurse educator, Orlando VA Healthcare Center
Board certified in advanced diabetes management, Aguirre has kept the hospital at the forefront of diabetes care, establishing a comprehensive program for diabetes education and management and modifying protocols to reflect evidence-based changes in practice. After identifying a need for diabetes prevention, she developed and implemented a patient education course that other VA sites have since adopted. Aguirre assumes a leadership position in managing ethical issues affecting patients with diabetes. She continually seeks innovative methods to manage the rapidly growing diabetic population and has expanded class content, size, and availability to make sure patients receive timely diabetes-related care.
Sue Easterbrook, RN, ONC, staff RN, orthopedic and general surgery, Bayfront Medical Center
Equally comfortable adapting research findings to her practice and providing old-fashioned hands-on comfort, Easterbrook embodies the image of a professional nurse. She rounds with physicians and treats patients as she would want family members treated. She takes the time to wash patients' backs or feet, offer comfort, and build rapport, and she's always ready to lend an ear and allay fears. She chairs the unit's Magnet committee, which promotes a positive workplace environment, and the facility's Standard and Practice Council. Easterbrook also serves on the research committee and is the primary preceptor on her unit. She acts as a catalyst, lifts spirits, and brings out the best in people.
Ellen Plotsky, RN, clinical leader, pediatric hematology/oncology and bone marrow transplant unit, All Children's Hospital
Dynamic and compassionate, Plotsky goes above and beyond to ensure that patients receive the highest-quality care and that they have optimal quality of life. She'll often come in on her day off to spend a few hours completing patient teaching. Numerous patients and families can attest to the calming effect Plotsky has had on their ability to grasp frightening information and learn to live as normal a life as possible, despite cancer's challenge. She thinks objectively and places patients and families first when planning and delivering care. She also has advocated at the organizational level for improved accountability in the nursing profession through continued promotion of peer review processes for nursing evaluations.
Julie Rosas, RN, MS, ARNP, BC, nurse practitioner, pulmonary/sleep medicine, James A. Haley VA Medical Center
Rosas's commitment to nursing practice, coupled with her professionalism and advocacy for quality patient care, led to the development of a Nurse Practitioner Pulmonary and Sleep Clinic. As clinicians recognized the significance and prevalence of sleep apnea, the demand for evaluation exploded exponentially, creating a backlog for pulmonary consults. The VA outsourced the service, but Rosas sought an alternative with better continuity of care and followup. She established the sleep clinic, which provides rapid home-based evaluation and reassesses the effectiveness of interventions at 30 days. As a result of Rosas's expertise, the VA excels in its ongoing evaluation of effectiveness and compliance with sleep apnea equipment. Rosas also serves as the facility's lung transplant coordinator.
Helen Stueck, RN, assistant nurse manager, telemetry, Bethesda Memorial Hospital
Stueck enjoys a high degree of respect from all members of Bethesda Memorial's interdisciplinary and executive teams, in part due to her knack for staying mindful of the Big Picture even while she's multitasking.
She remains visible throughout the shift and is vigilant in monitoring unit activity. Stueck aptly identifies potential problems and promptly intervenes to keep the unit operating safely, smoothly, and with superb customer service. Her model performance in handling sensitive patient and family situations has served as an example for novice and expert nurse alike.
Community Service
Kurt Busse, RN, BSN, critical care nurse, Largo Medical Center
By taking action on unmet needs, Busse shines a light for all to follow.
He volunteers with Big Brothers/Big Sisters,
working with challenging children. With a physician, he cofounded the international children's medical relief foundation, Orbis Dei (orphans of God). Through this organization, he has brought surgical equipment to India for cleft lip procedures, launched clinical trials for malaria and HIV drugs in Africa, established
dialysis programs in South America, and brought needed medications to Vietnam.
Carol Clendinen, RN, LMHC, CAP, advanced clinician, Lifestream Behavioral Center
Always ready with a smile, a hug, and a kind word, Clendinen finds personal fulfillment in shining the light of self-esteem into lives darkened by disease and disorder. This mental health professional reaches out to others, and people gravitate to her warmth and genuine caring. During the past quarter-century, she has actively pursued community service, volunteering with a number of organizations, including the American Cancer Society, the March of Dimes, a hospice, and a rape crisis center. She served on the committee to form the Children's Advocacy Center and is now coordinating efforts to make the community elder-ready. She never turns down an opportunity to reach out and lend a hand.
Jeff Mack, RN, CHPN, ACRN,
admissions manager, VITAS Innovative Hospice Care of Broward
Mack has dedicated himself to helping terminally ill patients and their families living overseas, specifically those in Africa, who are dying of AIDS. Through raffles, bake sales, white elephant sales, silent auctions, payroll deductions, and spare change donations, Mack helped raise more than $10,000 last year to buy medications for patients in sub-Saharan Africa. Through his efforts in raising awareness and securing donations, improvements have been made in the nursing and end-of-life care of international patients with HIV/AIDS.
Cynthia Magnole, RN, Pedi Care Net-work nurse, Jackson Memorial Hospital
Cynthia Magnole not only lives her life serving others, but spurs nurses she works with to become involved and support local initiatives. She has spearheaded food drives and old cell phone recycling campaigns. After Hurricane Katrina devastated Louisiana and Mississippi, nurses at Jackson Memorial came up with an idea to pack backpacks and distribute them to the children in the affected area. Magnole and her husband delivered more than 200 backpacks to a Mississippi school. She plays an active role in SAFE KID Miami-Dade County and the Injury Free Coalition for Kids of Miami.
Barbara Sharief, RN, MSN, ARNP, administrator/president, South Florida Pediatric Homecare, Inc.
Besides founding and operating a home health agency that helps keep infants and children with medically complex conditions, Sharief donates toys to sick children and gives furniture, clothing, and cribs to patients and families in need. Sharief has found housing for struggling single moms who couldn't afford their rent. She speaks openly and passionately about her drive to help those who are less fortunate. She also aims to facilitate change within the community and help people and providers affected by health care reforms.
Management
Madelyn Lliteras, RN, med/surg
director, North Ridge Medical Center
After providing care to a family member at an early age, Lliteras considers nursing a calling and pushes her team to give the best care possible. She never asks nurses to do anything she wouldn't do herself. Believing recruitment to be the most important issue facing the field, she aims to increase the number of RNs by attending job fairs and mentoring veteran nurses. She assisted in forming and opening the hospital's transitional rehab unit, directs the nursing supervisory office, is involved in several committees, and participates in various charitable events, such as the annual heart walk.
Daniel Magnusson, RN, BS, administrative director/surgical services, Manatee Memorial Hospital
What sets Magnusson apart from other nurses is his visionary approach to managing multiple departments, including Surgical Services, Same Day Services, Outpatient Services, Sterile Processing, Endoscopy, and PACU. He thinks outside the box, is always willing to take a risk, and seeks new and innovative ways to enhance his departments. His management style and restructuring has increased physician and employee satisfaction, introduced new technology, and saved the hospital more than $300,000 annually. He has convinced staff members, formerly set in their ways, to try new things. More than grace and charm, it took experience, insight, and intelligence to win over so many with so little conflict.
Jan M. Mauck, RN, BSN, MS,
vice president/CNO, Sarasota
Memorial Hospital
Beginning her career as a staff nurse at Sarasota Memorial, Mauck has contributed to the facility's impressive growth
in services and clinical practice, implementing a nursing research program and developing an open heart
surgery program, a Coumadin clinic, a brachytherapy program, a women's heart program, and an outpatient cardiac cath lab. Through it all, she remained approachable and sought staff suggestions. Mauck encourages problem solving, professionalism, and pride in clinical practice. Not only a consummate professional, she remains fun, loyal, and passionate about the important things in life.
Dagoberto Perez, RN, BSN, nurse man-ager/MICU, Jackson Memorial Hospital
Perez leads by example and shows compassion while exhibiting professionalism in all his pursuits. A true change agent, he transformed a complex and complicated unit, with staffing difficulties, into a healthy work environment where nurses want to practice. He talks daily with staff at all
levels, compassionately and empathetically listens, and seeks employees' suggestions on unit decisions, including hiring. Perez promotes team spirit, fosters a supportive workplace, and celebrates excellence in patient care and everyday nursing.
Sharon Rogers, RN, MSM, associate director of patient care services, Women's Center, Jackson South Community Hospital
A 20-year veteran of clinical nursing, Rogers has focused her career on improving high-risk neonatal care and transport. Her attention to detail and commitment ensures that patients are taken care of above standard. She collaborated with others in the community to streamline transfers. Her vision for compassionate, competent, and stellar nursing care is evident in her day-to-day interactions with her peers and her 90 staff members. She challenges those who don't strive for excellence and motivates them in a positive manner.
Mentoring
Murdith Brown, RN, CM, staff nurse, Holy Cross Hospital
Always mentoring other nurses while carrying out her duties on her floor, Brown patiently provides guidance while showering her patients with compassion and simple comfort
measures. She instills pride in the profession as she mentors students, new hires, and nurses returning to the bedside.
Patricia Gill, RN, BSN, RN preceptor,
St. Luke's Hospital-Mayo Clinic
Advancing from a staff nurse to management and education positions, Gill remains a highly esteemed critical care nurse. She makes accurate critical clinical
judgment calls and understands the
why behind the what. She educates and mentors colleagues, especially the newer
generation. She aspires to mold peers to become the best clinicians possible. She selflessly gives of her time and energy to make sure nurses receive proper training. She hones critical thinking skills, teaches, and helps nurses recognize the rewards that come from the profession. She has raised the bar for ICU nurses. Her love of nursing and quality care is infectious.
Jacinta Guevara, RN, BSN, MIT, CCRN, staff nurse, pediatric ED, Broward General Medical Center
For more than a decade, Guevara has taken it upon herself, without a management directive, to help all new hires learn time management, pathophysiology, and the importance of proper charting. She does it not for the recognition but to ensure that all pediatric emergency patients receive proper care. She thrives on maintaining the hospital's reputation for excellence. She stays up to date on new issues and methods of care. She also floats to the SICU and PACU when help is needed.
Andrea Prentiss, RN, MSN, CNS,
CCRN, C, advanced patient care
facilitator, pediatric ICU, Baptist Children's Hospital
New grads and experienced nurses turn to Prentiss for guidance in handling difficult situations. Always patient and understanding, she provides advice and the reasoning behind it so fellow RNs can learn. She invites nurses to call her by cell phone, even when not on duty. When conducting mock code sessions, she willingly came in early or stayed late to ensure all nurses benefited from the teaching. Whenever she discovers a minor mistake or error, she considers it a teaching opportunity and explains how the nurse can correct or prevent it.
Marlene Roman, RN, MSN, ARNP, CMSRN, med/surg clinical nurse specialist, North Broward Medical Center
Roman works with new orientees to ensure a smooth transition from new grad to RN and
facilitates the orientation process for experienced nurses. She nurtures young nurses and provides additional mentoring and encouragement. As president of the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, she started a mentoring program designed to retain new nurses at facilities across the country. She encourages staff to join a nursing association to help with their professional development.
Teaching
Linda Baldridge, RN, MSN, charge nurse, Morton Plant North Bay Hospital
Baldridge recently implemented a new preceptor program, created as a project for her master's degree, which has been adopted at three of the health system's other campuses as well. Super preceptors guide new graduate nurses through their first six weeks on the job, taking them step by step through each body system. Preceptors also spend time on documentation, communication techniques, time management and patient teaching skills, critical thinking skills, and helping new grads gain confidence. She provides new nurses with a strong foundation on which to build their careers.
Tami Batteiger, RN, C, MSN, HCRM, education specialist,
Jupiter Medical Center
With her creative talent, Batteiger has motivated staff to view education as something fun. At the same time, she infuses in learners a responsibility for assessing their own learning needs and developing a plan to address them while serving as a resource person. The respect she has gained from staff and management has aided her ability to introduce new concepts, including evidence-based practice models.
Diane LaRochelle, RN, PhD, senior
consultant/clinical nursing research, Baptist Health
LaRochelle helps
nurses develop evidence-based practice and do research. Properly executed clinical nursing research not only improves patient care but also develops nurses professionally and intellectually. She helps nurses identify and explore opportunities in the research arena, with the end result of providing high-quality, cost-effective care, which contributes to nursing's scientific base.
Marilyn McKelvey, RN, staff nurse 5S/clinical leader, H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute
As a preceptor, McKelvey provides an organized educational experience to graduate nurses and students.
She never hesitates to explain things and often encourages students to research answers before coming back to her. She follows up on everything, leaving no detail missed. Students frequently request placement with her for the senior internship semester. A natural leader, she also serves as a resource to experienced staff.
Marie Schafer, RN, BA, MSN, nutrition nurse educator, Miami VA System
Schafer readily shares her knowledge with
colleagues and students through presentation
of education programs, creation of meaningful learning experiences, and formal or informal mentoring. She establishes supportive relationships and effectively communicates with peers and administrators to ensure best practices. She helps others in research activities improve care, such as initiating a journal club for the Nutrition Support Team, of which she is a member, and integrating scholarly findings into practice.
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