Nursing Excellence winners in the Greater Philadelphia Tri-State region for 2011 are, bottom row from left, RNs Kathleen C. Evans, Diane Humbrecht and Lauren Fagan, along with, top row from left, Lisa Waraksa, Roseanne DeFrancisco and Jill E. Gehman.
(Photo by David DeBalko)
The Nurse.com 2011 Nursing Excellence Awards gala on May 18 was a night of shining stars. It was a night to honor 30 finalists and 100 facility honorees from the Greater Philadelphia/Tri-State region. More than 575 nurses and supporters gathered at the Sheraton Society Hill Hotel in Philadelphia to celebrate RNs who exemplify excellence in leadership, clinical care, community service, management, mentorship and teaching. The night culminated in the announcement of six regional winners.
Nurse.com’s Elaine Zdarsky, RN, vice president, advertising, thanked the night’s sponsors, which included The Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing’s Future (National Sponsor), Penn Medicine (Platinum Plus), Kennedy Health System, Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (Gold), and Abington Memorial Hospital, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Eastern Regional Medical Center, The Chester County Hospital and Health System, Cooper University Hospital, Crozer-Keystone Health System, Hahnemann University Hospital, Main Line Health System, Princeton HealthCare System, South Jersey Healthcare, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (Silver).
The six regional winners honored at the event were as follows:
Advancing and Leading the Profession
Diane Humbrecht, RN-C, MSN
Nurse Director, Informatics
Abington (Pa.) Memorial Hospital
Throughout her 26-year nursing career, Diane Humbrecht has been recognized for her dedication, commitment and ability to advance and lead the profession, locally and nationally. “It is exciting to see how we can change practice with tools like electronic health records and evidence-based resources,” Humbrecht said.
In the past year, she improved the patients’ flu and pneumonia vaccination compliance rates by 40% — increasing it to more than 95%. The electronic assessment tool and the subsequent ordering and administering of the vaccines has been recognized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement national forum, the Eclipsys Users Network and the Clinical Practice Model Resource Center consortium. Humbrecht received the Bayada Award for Technological Innovation in Nursing Education and Practice in 2010.
“I am honored to receive this award, and I am privileged to be able to transform practice by bringing technology to nurses who care for our patients,” Humbrecht said.
Clinical Care
Lisa Waraksa, RN, BSN, CPN
Staff Nurse Clinical Level 4
Bryn Mawr (Pa.) Hospital
“I want to thank all of the nurses I work with because we help one another every single day,” Lisa Waraksa said. A pediatric nurse, Waraksa was one of the first RNs in the Main Line Health System to meet the rigorous criteria for clinical level 4, and she continues to be among the approximately 15 RNs to maintain this title.
When Waraksa believed the hospital’s treatment plan for infants with jaundice was outdated, she investigated a way to deliver care effectively and efficiently while promoting interaction between parent and infant. She gained the approval of physicians and administrators to conduct research, engaged staff on the unit to participate and eventually changed practice.
“Because of everyone’s efforts, we have been invited to participate in the International Research conference this summer,” Waraksa said.
She has served as the chair of the pediatric policy and procedure committee for several years and as a member of the clinical ladder committee.
Community Service
Kathleen C. Evans, RN, BSN
Staff Nurse, Labor and Delivery Unit
Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Upland, Pa.
“I thank you for this award on behalf of the millions of children and adults who are so poor and yet so strong, who are trying to get adequate healthcare,” Kathleen C. Evans said. Nine years ago, Evans co-founded Touching Lives Ministry, a nonprofit organization that opens and supports medical clinics around the world.
As president of the ministry, she has led numerous mission trips to Africa and Asia. This year, she plans to open the first medical clinic in the Lake Victoria region of Kenya, which involves building a permanent facility from the ground up. “I will do everything in my power to make sure that children who live in poor villages can receive good healthcare,” she said.
During a 33-year career, Evans is regularly recognized in patient surveys for her extraordinary care and has published a book on perinatal loss, with proceeds going to support overseas medical missions.
Management
Jill E. Gehman, RN, BSN, MHA
Nurse Manager, Heart and Vascular ICU
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
“I am honored to receive this award and honored to work with wonderful, motivated nurses who want to improve nursing practice,” said Jill E. Gehman, who has led the heart and vascular ICU to the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses’ Beacon Award for nursing excellence three times and supported nurses in this Magnet-designated hospital that is preparing for re-designation this year. She continually supports nurses for CCRN certifications and mentors them daily in becoming leaders on the unit. A member of the AACN and the American Organization of Nurse Executives, Gehman also is the co-chairwoman of the nursing emergency preparedness committee and a member of the hospitalwide emergency preparedness committee.
“I am privileged to help staff develop themselves professionally, and I feel proud when I see nurses who assume leadership roles, develop practice changes and create committees to improve patient care,” Gehman said.
Mentoring
Lauren Fagan, RN, BSN
Nurse Unit-Based Educator, Thoracic Intermediate Care and Observation Unit
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Philadelphia
“The staff on 4 East inspires me every day, and I want to thank everyone who has mentored me during my career,” Lauren Fagan said.
Fagan is responsible for educating nurses on evidence-based practices and changes to policy and protocol. She implemented an innovative patient ambulation program and communication board to empower patients.
Since she has been the unit’s nurse educator, the staff has won two awards, including one for the Patient Ambulation Program, which earned a spot in the top 10 for the 2009 Delaware Valley Patient Safety Award. The observation unit received honorable mention in the 2010 Health System Quality and Patient Safety Awards. “It is a privilege to work with nurses who rise to the next challenge, who use their intellect and ask critical nursing care questions, and who are always searching for ways to improve patient care,” Fagan said.
Teaching
Roseanne DeFrancisco, RN, MSN
Clinical Outcomes Manager
South Jersey Healthcare, Elmer, N.J.
“I share this honor with my team,” Roseanne DeFrancisco said. “It is a privilege to work with nurses who complete research projects, achieve certifications and receive advanced degrees. I know that means that they are developing themselves and, at the same time, improving patient care.”
DeFrancisco is in charge of the systemwide Nursing Research Council and is responsible for mentoring the chairs of the unit-based practice councils. She is directly involved in hospital and systemwide initiatives, including the sepsis campaign, prevention of central line-associated bacteremia and the CAUTI initiative to prevent nosocomial urinary tract infections. She also is involved in pressure ulcer prevention, emergency preparedness, development of the vertical evacuation train-the-trainer program, dysrhythmia identification education and cardiac arrest drills with med/surg staff.
Nurse.com’s Elaine Zdarsky, RN, vice president, advertising, thanked the night’s sponsors, which included The Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing’s Future (National Sponsor), Penn Medicine (Platinum Plus), Kennedy Health System, Drexel University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions, Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children and The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (Gold), and Abington Memorial Hospital, Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, Cancer Treatment Centers of America at Eastern Regional Medical Center, The Chester County Hospital and Health System, Cooper University Hospital, Crozer-Keystone Health System, Hahnemann University Hospital, Main Line Health System, Princeton HealthCare System, South Jersey Healthcare, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (Silver).
The six regional winners honored at the event were as follows:
Advancing and Leading the Profession
Diane Humbrecht, RN-C, MSN
Nurse Director, Informatics
Abington (Pa.) Memorial Hospital
Throughout her 26-year nursing career, Diane Humbrecht has been recognized for her dedication, commitment and ability to advance and lead the profession, locally and nationally. “It is exciting to see how we can change practice with tools like electronic health records and evidence-based resources,” Humbrecht said.
In the past year, she improved the patients’ flu and pneumonia vaccination compliance rates by 40% — increasing it to more than 95%. The electronic assessment tool and the subsequent ordering and administering of the vaccines has been recognized by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement national forum, the Eclipsys Users Network and the Clinical Practice Model Resource Center consortium. Humbrecht received the Bayada Award for Technological Innovation in Nursing Education and Practice in 2010.
“I am honored to receive this award, and I am privileged to be able to transform practice by bringing technology to nurses who care for our patients,” Humbrecht said.
Clinical Care
Lisa Waraksa, RN, BSN, CPN
Staff Nurse Clinical Level 4
Bryn Mawr (Pa.) Hospital
“I want to thank all of the nurses I work with because we help one another every single day,” Lisa Waraksa said. A pediatric nurse, Waraksa was one of the first RNs in the Main Line Health System to meet the rigorous criteria for clinical level 4, and she continues to be among the approximately 15 RNs to maintain this title.
When Waraksa believed the hospital’s treatment plan for infants with jaundice was outdated, she investigated a way to deliver care effectively and efficiently while promoting interaction between parent and infant. She gained the approval of physicians and administrators to conduct research, engaged staff on the unit to participate and eventually changed practice.
“Because of everyone’s efforts, we have been invited to participate in the International Research conference this summer,” Waraksa said.
She has served as the chair of the pediatric policy and procedure committee for several years and as a member of the clinical ladder committee.
Community Service
Kathleen C. Evans, RN, BSN
Staff Nurse, Labor and Delivery Unit
Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Upland, Pa.
“I thank you for this award on behalf of the millions of children and adults who are so poor and yet so strong, who are trying to get adequate healthcare,” Kathleen C. Evans said. Nine years ago, Evans co-founded Touching Lives Ministry, a nonprofit organization that opens and supports medical clinics around the world.
As president of the ministry, she has led numerous mission trips to Africa and Asia. This year, she plans to open the first medical clinic in the Lake Victoria region of Kenya, which involves building a permanent facility from the ground up. “I will do everything in my power to make sure that children who live in poor villages can receive good healthcare,” she said.
During a 33-year career, Evans is regularly recognized in patient surveys for her extraordinary care and has published a book on perinatal loss, with proceeds going to support overseas medical missions.
Management
Jill E. Gehman, RN, BSN, MHA
Nurse Manager, Heart and Vascular ICU
Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
“I am honored to receive this award and honored to work with wonderful, motivated nurses who want to improve nursing practice,” said Jill E. Gehman, who has led the heart and vascular ICU to the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses’ Beacon Award for nursing excellence three times and supported nurses in this Magnet-designated hospital that is preparing for re-designation this year. She continually supports nurses for CCRN certifications and mentors them daily in becoming leaders on the unit. A member of the AACN and the American Organization of Nurse Executives, Gehman also is the co-chairwoman of the nursing emergency preparedness committee and a member of the hospitalwide emergency preparedness committee.
“I am privileged to help staff develop themselves professionally, and I feel proud when I see nurses who assume leadership roles, develop practice changes and create committees to improve patient care,” Gehman said.
Mentoring
Lauren Fagan, RN, BSN
Nurse Unit-Based Educator, Thoracic Intermediate Care and Observation Unit
Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Philadelphia
“The staff on 4 East inspires me every day, and I want to thank everyone who has mentored me during my career,” Lauren Fagan said.
Fagan is responsible for educating nurses on evidence-based practices and changes to policy and protocol. She implemented an innovative patient ambulation program and communication board to empower patients.
Since she has been the unit’s nurse educator, the staff has won two awards, including one for the Patient Ambulation Program, which earned a spot in the top 10 for the 2009 Delaware Valley Patient Safety Award. The observation unit received honorable mention in the 2010 Health System Quality and Patient Safety Awards. “It is a privilege to work with nurses who rise to the next challenge, who use their intellect and ask critical nursing care questions, and who are always searching for ways to improve patient care,” Fagan said.
Teaching
Roseanne DeFrancisco, RN, MSN
Clinical Outcomes Manager
South Jersey Healthcare, Elmer, N.J.
“I share this honor with my team,” Roseanne DeFrancisco said. “It is a privilege to work with nurses who complete research projects, achieve certifications and receive advanced degrees. I know that means that they are developing themselves and, at the same time, improving patient care.”
DeFrancisco is in charge of the systemwide Nursing Research Council and is responsible for mentoring the chairs of the unit-based practice councils. She is directly involved in hospital and systemwide initiatives, including the sepsis campaign, prevention of central line-associated bacteremia and the CAUTI initiative to prevent nosocomial urinary tract infections. She also is involved in pressure ulcer prevention, emergency preparedness, development of the vertical evacuation train-the-trainer program, dysrhythmia identification education and cardiac arrest drills with med/surg staff.
Janice Petrella Lynch, RN, MSN, is a regional reporter.Comment to editorPA@nurse.com or post a comment below.
