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May
Nurses and Other Caregivers are Honored with Friends of Nursing AwardsLehigh Valley, Pa. (May 16, 2007) – Allen Smith, R.N., of Bethlehem, recognizes some patients need more than what can be found in a medicine cabinet. Take, for example, one of his patients who first came to the AIDS Activities Office (AAO) at Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network (LVHHN) with HIV and mental health issues. He hadn’t received consistent care and was too sick to remember to take daily medications. Smith coordinated a team of caregivers to connect the patient with mental health services and met with his family to help them understand the disease and the need for medications. A year later, Smith’s patient had not missed an appointment and was taking 12 pills and 2 injections every day. “We gave him hope when he had none,” Smith said. Smith’s dedication to his patients comes from personal experience. He started working in the AAO after losing two close friends to HIV. After eight years, he says he’s learned the cliché is true: knowledge is power. That’s why he has coordinated over 40 learning programs for more than 400 patients and their families, and organized the first-ever meetings between local organizations and groups that care for those affected by HIV. They meet twice a year to share ideas, experiences and frustrations. For his passion and his efforts, Smith received a 2007 Friends of Nursing Award. He and 40 other caregivers and care teams received their awards at LVHHN’s annual Friends of Nursing Awards Celebration on May 15 as part of National Nurses Week. Themed “What’s Your Inspiration? Pass it on,” the celebration featured a video highlighting award recipients and presentations of their stories that illustrate how LVHHN nurses and clinicians are inspired to continuously improve care. Also recognized were Richard and Peggy Fleming of Zionsville, co-founders and supporters of the Friends of Nursing program, which helps fund continuing education, professional development and research opportunities for LVHHN nurses to enhance patient care. “Each one of our nurses and clinicians is an inspiration to their patients, their loved ones and each other,” says Terry Capuano, R.N., LVHHN’s senior vice president of clinical services. “It’s to their credit that we recently earned Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center for the second time. We’re honored to be among less than 4 percent of hospitals nationwide and the only hospital in the Lehigh Valley to hold this recognition for excellence in nursing care.” Here are more of the award recipients’ stories:Tina Jones, R.N., of New Tripoli, a home care nurse with Lehigh Valley Hospital and Health Network, was amazed by what she found when she first visited an 80-year-old patient. The woman’s home had a leaky roof and no running water, and chickens, a donkey and a horse in the yard appeared malnourished. The woman told Jones she was too weak to take care of the problems herself, and the owner allowed her to rent the home cheaply if he didn’t have to make any repairs. With 21 years experience as a home care nurse, Jones knew this woman would not get better unless her animals and home received care, too. So, in addition to helping the woman regain her strength, Jones contacted social agencies that forced the landlord to repair the home. She brought the animals food, cleaned their pens and made arrangements for them to receive free care. “As weeks went by, she (the patient) became stronger and was discharged from home care services,” Jones said. “I call her from time to time to see if there is anything she needs. One day, I drove by and she was out with her animals. I knew then she was feeling better.” During her 20 years of caring for burn patients, Nancy Humes, R.N., of Easton, has learned to care for both patients and their families. This attribute hasn’t gone unnoticed. She was nominated for a Friends of Nursing Award by a patient and his wife. She cared for this patient last year, based on the latest research, after he suffered third- and fourth-degree burns on both hands. The family was in shock. With an unwavering smile, Humes supported them and calmed their fears through each difficult surgery and as the family prepared to go home. In return, the family supported Humes by attending the Friends of Nursing Celebration as she accepted her award. “Burn nursing is not just having the knowledge and understanding to care for the injured patient. It is also spending time with both the patient and family answering questions or just sitting quietly with them,” Humes said. The following is a complete list of 2007 Friends of Nursing award recipients:
Gwenis Browning, R.N., of Kutztown
Diane Chapin, R.N., of Slatington
Jannie Clayton of Allentown
Kimberly Collazo of Allentown
Sandra Derbyshire, R.N., of Walnutport
Judith Dorsam, R.N., of Bethlehem
Sharon Duvall of Kutztown
Carol Fortenbaugh, R.N., of Allentown
Julie Fulcher, R.N., of Bethlehem
Jim Gates, R.R.T., of Whitehall
Jennifer Goetz, C.R.N.A., of Chalfont
Diana Haines, R.N., of Schnecksville
Betty Higgins, R.N., of Allentown
Kimberly Hischak, R.N., of Mountaintop
Nancy Humes, R.N., of Easton
Tina Jones, R.N., of New Tripoli
Heather Katz of Center Valley
Carolann Kindt of Catasaqua
James Kocis, R.N., of Emmaus
Jill Krystofinski, C.R.N.A., of Pipersville
Dorothy Kuntz of Lehighton
Christine Lehman, R.N., of Slatington
Kathleen Lezzeni, H.T., of Kintnersville
Lori Milot, R.N., of Orefield
Deborah Nenow, L.P.N., of Palmerton
Theodore Phillips, M.D., of Macungie
Melissa Pina of Allentown
Christine Reichard of Bethlehem
Ellen Saunders, R.N., of Long Pond
Allen Smith, R.N., of Bethlehem
Megan Snyder, R.N., of Whitehall
Marlene Spevak of Allentown
Holly Tavianini, R.N., of Center Valley
Judith Veglia, R.N., of Tamaqua
Bonnie Wasilowsky, R.N., of Center Valley
Rosemary Wimmer, R.N., of Quakertown
Robin Zwolenik of Northampton
Emergency Department LVH–Cedar Crest
Emergency Department LVH–17th and Chew
Outpatient Cancer Services The LVHHN Senior Management Council Patient Satisfaction Award
6 Tower Medical-Surgical Unit Editor’s note: Please contact LVHHN’s public affairs office at 610-402-0819 if you would like to profile a recipient/recipients from your area or would like a photograph of any of the recipients. Additional information about each winner is available upon request. This page last updated 2/12/08 04:08 PM
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