Nursing | Mount Sinai Today

Nursing Excellence: Calm and Resilient Nurse Is Praised by Patients and Colleagues

May 19, 2022 | Nursing, Stories of Excellence

Allison McPherson, LPN

Allison McPherson, LPN, in Internal Medicine, Faculty Practice Associates, The Mount Sinai Hospital, is beloved by her team for her work ethic and caring. Sandra Casey, MSN, Associate Director, Nursing, at the practice, says Allison exemplifies dedication, teamwork, and resilience. “She goes above and beyond for both her patients and colleagues,” Sandra explains. “Allison does not know the words ‘No or I can’t’ and is always punctual and willing to help. Her patients know her by name and constantly ask for her. Allison often stays late to help ease the late staff load, which makes a difference for her colleagues and her patients. She is always thinking of the patient experience. She is the practice chief preceptor, and our new staff always feels very comfortable approaching her for clarity. She simplifies her teaching and tailors her delivery with special attention paid to the individual whom she is precepting. Allison is Mount Sinai excellence.”

Her colleagues appreciate her commitment to excellence in all aspects of nursing care. Sandra calls Allison the team’s “buffer”—loving and knowledgeable, always professional. Even when patients are difficult, she always finds a way to approach them with a calming smile and gentle touch.

Allison says, “It is a pleasure working for Mount Sinai the last 15 years, bringing care, comfort, and a familiar face to my patients. Mount Sinai has become my second home, which makes my patients and co-workers a part of my family. I strive to make everyone I encounter feel welcome in their own special way.”

Nursing Excellence: For a Caring Nurse, Professional Growth Never Stops

May 12, 2022 | Nursing, Stories of Excellence

Donald “Donny’” Lamendola, RN, BSN, a nurse in the Department of interventional Radiology at The Mount Sinai Hospital, has more than thirty years of nursing experience. He began his career at the hospital in 2016 and has been making important contributions to patient care ever since.

Donald “Donny’” Lamendola, RN, BSN

Shortly after coming on board, he was nominated for a “Rising Star” award for working on unit-based projects, most notably developing a protocol and outlining safeguards for nurses treating postoperative pain. He played a major role helping the hospital achieve its fourth Magnet designation in 2018, and was selected to escort the Magnet surveyors around his unit during the review that year. In March 2022, Donny was instrumental in helping Mount Sinai achieve stroke recertification by meeting with surveyors, and stressing the importance of how nurses play a significant role in facilitating successful outcomes during stroke emergencies.

Donny describes himself as a “compassionate and caring” person, and as such, he says that “nursing found me” when asked why he entered the field. He tries to learn about a patient’s interests, to connect with them, and to put them at ease. “In that way,“ he says, “ they know you are emotionally involved.’” Donny feels strongly that this kind of connection helps facilitate healing. He is also committed to helping and educating families and his nursing colleagues, whom he calls “world-class.” He explains, “I want to teach the next generation of nurses, so they can carry the torch and provide the very best care to patients.”

Although Donny is triple certified (Oncology, Perianesthesia and Critical Care), he is always looking to further his professional credentials. He intends to pursue a master’s in Nursing Leadership/Education and to become certified in Radiology Nursing.

Nursing Excellence: A ‘Treasured’ Nurse Supports Families and Staff After Childbirth Losses

May 3, 2022 | Nursing, Stories of Excellence

Gretchen Kretkowski, RN

Gretchen Kretkowski, RN, is a nurse at Mount Sinai South Nassau and the chair of the hospital’s bereavement council. Gretchen actively reaches out to mothers and families who have experienced a loss during or shortly after childbirth.

She ensures families are seen by bereavement team members while in the hospital and follows up with patients who have experienced a loss by phoning them after they are discharged to assess how they are coping with their loss. If she believes they are in need of help, Gretchen will secure referrals for more assistance.

Elena Lobatch DNP, RNC-OB, NE-BC, Senior Director of Nursing, Patient Care Services at Mount Sinai South Nassau, says Gretchen is also an invaluable resource to the staff.

“She designed an education session on bereavement and teaches new Labor and Delivery nurses about bereavement support to patients and families. She shares her expertise with new perinatal bereavement committee members. Gretchen helps nurses navigate best practices for therapeutic communication. She takes phone calls on her days off or in the middle of the night if a fellow nurse needs guidance on the bereavement process. Gretchen is invaluable in supporting the staff members after a stressful or traumatic event on the job. Recently she also helped a family member of a fellow nurse, who suffered a full-term perinatal death. Gretchen’s empathy, compassion, and willingness to help those during a devastating time is extraordinary. She is our treasure.”

Gretchen clearly considers her role as a nurse specializing in bereavement as a calling. “To have the honor to be at someone’s side when they are going through maybe one of their darkest moments, to connect in the deepest human level is sacred ground. I am so intensely grateful I have the opportunity to let someone know that for at least that moment they are not alone.”

And she has deep appreciation for her team. “My colleagues have been instrumental in my growth and development as a nurse and as a person. Understanding our relationship with one another allows us to be more authentically connected to our patients, and ask, “What would I need in this moment?” Or, “What would help to make me feel less alone, afraid, or heard?” I counsel my new nurses not to be afraid to connect on a human level. They should be real, be honest.”

Nursing Excellence: An Insightful Nurse Practitioner Delivers ‘Exemplary Care’

Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Nursing, Stories of Excellence

Ivonne Pereira, NP

Ivonne Pereira, NP, is an advanced practice nurse in the Oncology-Hematology and Infusion Center at Mount Sinai West. Toby Bressler, PhD, RN, Senior Director of Nursing for Oncology and Clinical Quality at Mount Sinai West, calls Ivonne “a nurse’s nurse.”

Dr. Bressler explains, “Ivonne is a dedicated and insightful provider who treats each patient like family and delivers exemplary clinical care to each individual with attention to detail. Ivonne interfaces with many departments, ensuring that all infusion orders are accurate and appropriate lab work and surveillance is completed prior to treatment. Her coordination of care is the best, bar none, and she has a laser focus on quality to ensure patient safety. Ivonne represents all the Mount Sinai Health System’s values, within our institution and beyond. “

Ivonne has also made a difference in advance care planning. “Since Ivonne has joined our team, our advance care plan completion rates have doubled,” Dr. Bressler says. “This is largely due to Ivonne’s reviewing each patient’s medical record and speaking with every patient to assist them in completing this important document.”

Ivonne is grateful to be an integral part of a patient’s care team. “It is so rewarding when I connect with my patients and earn their trust,“ she says. “Each of their stories is unique and special to me. Every day is a memorable experience, and I am very fortunate to be a part of all of these lives.”

Nursing Excellence: Certified Nurses at Mount Sinai Are Recognized by Senior Leadership

Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Nursing, Stories of Excellence

Certified Nurses Day™ is an annual day of recognition for and by health care leaders dedicated to nursing professionalism, excellence, recognition, and service. On this day, employers, certification boards, education facilities, and health care providers celebrate and publicly acknowledge nurses who earn and maintain the highest credentials in their specialty.

The Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai Queens celebrated Certified Nurses Day on March 22 and 23, with a Town Hall, photo sessions for certified nurses, and resource tables at both hospitals so nurses who wish to be certified could learn more about requirements.

The Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai Queens achieved a combined certification of 44 percent, which met the desired goal for 2021. Deborah Feehan, MSN, RN-BC, Director of Nursing at The Mount Sinai Hospital, was very proud of this achievement, as was Frances Cartwright, PhD, RN-BC, AOCN, FAAN, Chief Nursing Officer and Senior Vice President at The Mount Sinai Hospital.

“Mount Sinai Nursing applauds our certified nurses, who have made the commitment to achieve board certification in their specialty,” Dr. Cartwright said. “Becoming a certified nurse demonstrates professionalism and dedication to providing best practices to diverse complex patient populations. It is a testimony to our Mount Sinai nurses who live the tenets of our relationship-centered care model, advancing quality care and caring for our patients, families, care teams, and the communities we serve.”

Nursing Excellence: Intensive Care Units Are Honored

Mar 31, 2022 | Nursing, Stories of Excellence

Both the Surgical and Transplant Intensive Care Units at The Mount Sinai Hospital received the Beacon Silver Award for Excellence from the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.

The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes caregivers in stellar units whose consistent and systematic approach to evidence-based care optimizes patient outcomes. Units that receive this national recognition serve as role models to others on their journey to excellent patient and family care. This award highlights nursing excellence in the Intensive Care Units and the strong collaboration with our nursing leaders and the Institute for Critical Care Medicine.

“Congratulations to the entire team,” says David Reich, MD, President of The Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai Queens. “This award recognizes the exceptional care you provide to our patients and the supportive environment you have created for your teams.”