Service Stars of the Month

Christopher Morabito, M.D., Samir Henien, M.D., Dave Gessner, Diane Kennedy, R.N., Kristen Balousek, R.N., and Cathy Kistler, R.N.

Service Stars

(L-R) Samir Henien, M.D., Christopher Morabito, M.D., Diane Kennedy, R.N., David Gessner, Kristen Balousek, R.N., and Cathy Kistler, R.N.

Expectant mom Renee dreamed of the arrival of her twins, but when they were born three months premature, her world shattered. Her son, Nikolas, passed away shortly after birth, while her daughter, Alyssa, was rushed to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

That’s when Alyssa’s “dream team” went to work. Neonatologist Christopher Morabito, M.D., always kept Renee informed of Alyssa’s condition—even at 3 a.m. Neonatologist Samir Henien, M.D., spent an evening at Alyssa’s bedside, persisting in finding the right treatment to help her thrive.

Respiratory therapist David Gessner escorted her on a MedEvac flight to a Philadelphia hospital on his own time. And nurses Diane Kennedy, R.N., Kristen Balousek, R.N., and Cathy Kistler, R.N., cared for Alyssa throughout her 113-day NICU stay.

“I never allowed myself to dream of the day I’d get to take Alyssa home,” Renee says. “But on Christmas Eve, Dr. Morabito discharged my Christmas miracle. Now, she’s a healthy 1-year-old.”

Bernard Otero, security officer
Nominated by Pamela Fischer, pastoral care

Regina Hill, R.N., 7B medical/surgical
Nominated by Stephanie Bednarz, 7B medical/surgical

James Foose, R.N., Lesa Eckert, R.N., and Karen Nuschke, R.N., all of 4A medical/surgical, and Dorothy Gilbert, R.N., progressive coronary care unit
Nominated by Stephen Palmer, cardiac cath lab

Amanda Flicker, M.D., College Heights OB/GYN
Nominated by Amanda Oertner, College Heights OB/GYN

7C medical/surgical nursing staff
Nominated by Dorene Lindstrom Rhoads

Stella Polit, R.N., 7C medical/surgical
Nominated by Freda Barnes, R.N., Robin Campbell, R.N., 7C, and Charisse Stevenson, surgical oncology

Gary Riddell, certified biomedical engineering technician
Nominated by Colleen Camasta, R.N., Terri Lutz, R.N., and Michelle Reigard, R.N., operating room, LVH–Muhlenberg

Ruth Wittmann-Price, R.N., mother-baby unit, LVH–Cedar Crest
Nominated by mother-baby unit, LVH–Cedar Crest

Scott Terfinko, Michael Morrone, Robert Allman and George Jarick, respiratory care, LVH–Muhlenberg
Nominated by respiratory care

Randall Achey, security
Nominated by Jody Allen, L.P.N., emergency department, LVH–
Muhlenberg, and Jane Kane, float pool

To nominate a star, go to e-mail’s bulletin board at Forms_rewards. Right click to “use form.”

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