The Mount Sinai Health System Nurse Residency Program (NRP), which started in 2019, is designed to facilitate new graduate nurses’ transition into their professional practice positions in the Health System. NRP provides education and support for what can be a daunting change from the student experience. Each year, six cohorts of new graduate nurses participate in this program, attending one eight-hour seminar each month for twelve months.
James Gold, DNP, RN, MedSurg-BC, NPD-BC, was recruited to Mount Sinai in 2024 to be the systemwide Nurse Education Manager lead for the program. In this role, Dr. Gold collaborates with site-specific NRP educators: Latia Lee, RN, MA, CPN, The Mount Sinai Hospital; Evelyn Navarro, RN, MA, MS, Mount Sinai West; Kingsley Nurse, MBA, MS, M.ED, RN, Mount Sinai Morningside; and Elissa Orbon, MS, RN-BC, Mount Sinai Queens. Together, they work to enhance curriculum topics, engage new graduates, and introduce simulation strategies with a system focus. “Efforts to standardize the program is a strategic goal of the Health System,” he explains. “The program provides new graduate nurses with many diverse teaching, learning, and coaching experiences.”
James Gold, DNP, RN, MedSurg-BC, NPD-BC
Recently, in-person sessions throughout the Health System introduced a multitude of experts, in subject areas including hospice and palliative care, pain management, medication safety, and conflict resolution. Residents also plan to meet with legal/risk management experts from the Health System to understand the importance of accurate patient care planning and clinical documentation. Other teams already in progress include experts representing rapid response, infection prevention, quality, and equity, among others.
The residents consistently participate in clinical reflections, a forum where they can confidentially share their successes and challenges with fellow new graduate nurses and a facilitator. The facilitators include senior clinical nurses, preceptors, and nurse educators. In these sessions, facilitators mentor the residents and discuss ways to promote the critical thinking skills required for them to succeed in their clinical nurse roles. Peter Ehiebolo, BSN, RN, a nurse at The Mount Sinai Hospital, completed the program last month. “The monthly sessions helped create a safe space for me to vent my feelings, share my challenges, and ask for workable recommendations to surmount them. Through the program, I realized I was not alone as I navigated my transition from student to professional nurse.”
Dr. Gold and the coordinators say their NRP interactions with new graduate nurses are highly gratifying. “When new graduate nurses arrive at the Mount Sinai Health System, they are naturally unsure of their new role,“ Dr. Gold says. “After twelve months, they are significantly more confident and competent. It is incredibly rewarding to contribute to the professional development of new graduates and shape the evolution of this program, and strive to be the best NRP in New York City.”
From left: Vanessa Rose Jayme, MS, RN; Daniella Stephen, MPH, MSN, RN; Anne Pisciotta, RN; Asha Cox, RN; Connie Vargas, Director of Nursing Systems; Riskarlyn Figuereo; and Sharon Kurian, MSN, RN, CMSRN, Assistant nurse manager, 3 East
Asha Cox, RN, Nurse Manager on 4 East at Mount Sinai Queens, started her day recently by checking on a nurse in her unit who had experienced an injury earlier in the week. Calling the nurse at home, Asha immediately detected that something was wrong. She said to her colleague, “Your voice has changed, are you okay?” Within moments, Asha knew this nurse was not well. “It was also clear she was alone in her home. I told her to call 911, but she could not. I asked for her address, but it was hard to understand her, so the next step was to look through the Mount Sinai database to find where she lived and how to reach her emergency contact. I also told her to unlock the door for emergency services, if she could do so safely. And to lie on the floor to avoid falling.“
Thankfully, colleagues were in the office, and it became a team effort. Daniella Stephen, MPH, MSN, RN, Senior Director, was by Asha’s side, offering guidance. Riskarlyn Figuereo, Administrative Office Coordinator, searched through the database for the emergency contact information and home address. Anne Pisciotta, Clinical Nurse Manager, 3 West, was a calming presence with her frequent nods of support. And Vanessa Rose Jayme, MS, RN, Assistant Nurse Manager, came just in time to offer her telephone for multitasking while Asha spoke to her colleague and the 911 operator simultaneously. “I was feeling in control, but when 911 called back to say they could not find the entrance to her building, admittedly I had to work a little harder to calm my nerves,” Asha says.
Safiya Alozie, RN, Nurse Manager, 3 East, was in the office as well. “As we listened, the voice over the phone gradually became more slurred and disoriented,” Safiya says. “Asha remained calm, soothing her colleague and reassuring her that help was on the way. We heard the cries and the fear through the phone, and the anxiety among us all was palpable. The 15-minute phone call seemed liked an hour. But Asha never showed any fear, reminding this nurse that she would not hang up until the ambulance arrived. When we all heard the medical team burst through the door, there was a sense of relief for everyone. We could finally exhale!”
Asha, who has worked as a nurse at the Mount Sinai Health System for 18 years, says her experience was key in helping her navigate this “somewhat surreal” situation. “As nurses, we learn how to pay attention to seemingly little things, the details, an unusual symptom,” Asha explains. “In this case, I picked up on her voice, and the longer she was on the phone, I recognized the signs of stroke.” She adds, “You cannot be sure how you will respond in times like these, but I am a person of faith. I am also am so thankful that my colleagues were close by. I felt supported.”
Jill Goldstein, MA, MS, RN, Vice President, Patient Services, and Deputy Chief Nurse Officer, Mount Sinai Queens, says: “Asha exceeded the definition of hero this day. She followed her intuition and her heart, which led to the successful 911 intervention. This is emblematic of Asha’s leadership style, authentic, transformational and dedicated to her staff and colleagues. We are blessed to work with Asha.”
A Homecoming for a Mount Sinai Nurse and COVID-19 Patient
For retired nurse Theresa Francisco, 69, the cardiac intensive care unit at The Mount Sinai Hospital means many things: it had been her workplace for nearly four decades, but also a place where she was cared for when she became critically ill with COVID-19 in 2020.
On Thursday, March 27, 2025, Ms. Francisco returned to the unit for the first time to reunite with the staff who saved her life. Accompanying her were her brother and sister-in-law—both of whom were also admitted to Mount Sinai for the treatment of COVID-19—and Cynthia Enrile, another Mount Sinai retired nurse who cared for Ms. Francisco during her hospitalization.
“I can still remember everything—being a nurse and being a patient,” said Ms. Francisco. When she was initially admitted to the unit, which had been converted to a COVID-19 response unit, she thought she would be discharged after a couple of days. Ms. Francisco ended up spending 42 days in the hospital, and was intubated for 10 of them.
Listen to Ms. Francisco recall her story, and read more about how she went from a Mount Sinai retired nurse to COVID-19 patient in a slideshow of her reunion at the intense care unit.
Theresa Francisco, retired Mount Sinai nurse, shares thoughts on visiting the same unit that treated her when she was hospitalized for COVID-19
Theresa Francisco, 69, who lives in Far Rockaway, Queens, had been a critical care nurse at The Mount Sinai Hospital for 38 years. She retired in January 2020.
On March 27, 2020, Ms. Francisco was hospitalized for COVID-19. She was admitted to the cardiac critical care unit—which was converted to a COVID-19 response unit during the pandemic—at The Mount Sinai Hospital, where she used to work.
Shortly after Ms. Francisco (center) was admitted, so were her brother (left) and sister-in-law (right), also for COVID-19.
Her sister-in-law was discharged after a week, and her brother was discharged after two weeks. Ms. Francisco spent 42 days in the hospital, and was intubated for 10 of them.
Francisco’s friend Cynthia Enrile (left) was a fellow nurse at the critical care unit and cared for Ms. Francisco (right) during her time there. Ms. Enrile retired in May 2020, after working at Mount Sinai since 1986.
On Easter Sunday, 2020, Ms. Francisco’s intubation tube was removed.
After her discharge, Ms. Francisco faced months of grueling recovery. She required high-flow oxygen for months and couldn’t walk.
Today, five years after being hospitalized for COVID-19, Ms. Francisco (left) is still feeling the aftereffects of the disease. She is living with cardiomyopathy and sees a Mount Sinai pulmonologist every six months for follow-up. Pulmonologist E Neil Schachter, MD (right), was part of her care team.
Reuniting with the Mount Sinai staff who saved her life was an emotional but grateful moment, said Ms. Francisco (right). Her tour was guided by Umesh Gidwani, MD (left), chief of the cardiac critical care unit and who cared for her during her hospitalization.
Nursing Certification is an important, independent validation of specialized nursing knowledge and expertise that meet or exceed professional standards. In fact, empirical evidence shows an association between nursing certification and better patient outcomes, as well as lower rates of falls, hospital-acquired infections, and central line-related bloodstream infections.
Across the Mount Sinai Health System, an impressive near 50 percent of nurses have earned board certification in their chosen specialties. Their patients, families, colleagues, and teams are the direct beneficiaries of nursing expertise that is recognized as meeting or exceeding the highest professional standards.
In recognition of National Certified Nurses Day, Wednesday, March 19, Mount Sinai would like to shine a spotlight on some of our nurses who have earned their specialty certification. Along with their fellow certified nurses, they represent a commitment to excellence and their profession that is synonymous with Mount Sinai Nursing.
I’m proud to be certified in Medical Surgical Nursing. I believed that obtaining certification demonstrates commitment and dedication to professional growth and maintaining the best evidence-based practices. Encouraging other nurses to become certified is something I truly believe in. It’s not just a title, it’s a commitment to excellence.
Emmy Lou C. Adonay, RN, BSN-BC, Mount Sinai Queens
Carla Alves-Miraldo, MS, MSN-Ed, RN, CHPN, KP6 Palliative Care Unit, The Mount Sinai Hospital
Becoming a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse is a reflection of my commitment to ensuring every patient receives comfort, dignity, and compassionate care during life’s most challenging moments. This certification is more than a title—it represents my dedication to guiding patients and families with expertise, empathy, and unwavering support. I stand proud of my certification because it allows me to be a source of comfort, an advocate for quality of life, and ensure that no one faces their journey alone. Being a certified palliative care nurse is not just my profession—it is my passion and my purpose.
Obtaining and maintaining this certification provides me the opportunity to achieve professional and personal growth. Being a certified Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN) validates and demonstrates my expertise in advanced knowledge and skills caring for critically ill patients while developing wisdom of practice in the critical care fields. This allows me to share my knowledge and skills to elevate the standard of patient care within the nursing units, as well as at the organizational level to promote patient outcomes in Mount Sinai.
Odeisha Maitland, DNP, FNP, RN-BC, Mount Sinai Brooklyn
Being a certified nurse is not just a title; it is a profound commitment to excellence in patient care and a testament to my dedication to ongoing professional development. Achieving certification demonstrates my expertise and the trust that patients and colleagues place in my abilities. It embodies my passion for delivering exceptional health care and my unwavering responsibility to uphold the highest standards of our profession. Ultimately, being a certified nurse is both an honor and a defining aspect of my identity in the health care field, empowering me to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others every day.
As an ED nurse, you never know who’s going to walk through the door. All we can do is prepare and improve our practice. Being certified is just that; It means I stay ready and inspire my team to do the same.
Cynthia Mendez, RN, MSN, CEN, Senior Clinical Nurse, Department of Emergency Medicine, The Mount Sinai Hospital
Jay Rodriguez Reyes, RN, BSN, AMB-BC, Ambulatory
In the ever-evolving health care landscape, certification is not just a title but a commitment to excellence, professional growth, and improved patient outcomes. Earning certification in Ambulatory nursing validates our expertise, knowledge, and dedication to the highest standards of patient care. To those considering certification, take that step. Invest in yourself, in your patients, and in the future of the nursing profession. Because when we grow as professionals, everyone benefits.
Being a certified nurse at Mount Sinai represents a deep commitment to professional growth and ensuring the highest standard of care for my patients. It reflects my expertise and dedication, particularly in specialized fields like vascular access and infusion therapy. After 25 years at Mount Sinai, these certifications reinforce my passion for nursing and the responsibility I feel in continually advancing my skills to best serve those who rely on me.
Lynette Joy Romanovitch, BSN, RN, CRNI, VA-BC, Vascular Access Service RN, Institute for Critical Care Medicine, The Mount Sinai Hospital
Elvira Solis MSN, RN, CCRN, Mount Sinai Queens
Certification means a lot to me in different perspectives, although we will say it is a validation of my knowledge and skills and my practice, embodying excellence, lifelong learning, and commitment in excellence in care. As a Certified Critical Care Nurse, I am committed to so many duties and responsibilities. My commitment to providing excellence in care means I have an advance knowledge and skills to provide effective and safest care to my patients. I must ensure the excellence in practice is backed up with evidence-based. My commitment to life-long learning and professional development is not to myself alone but also to support my team through peer-to peer teaching onsite and online. I take pride of being a role model to my colleague and a “Go to Person” especially in some challenging cases and situations.
Being wound care certified fills me with pride because it reflects my commitment to providing the highest level of care to my patients. This certification represents my dedication to continuous learning and staying up to date with the latest techniques and best practices in wound healing. Knowing I can make a tangible difference in someone’s recovery, while ensuring their comfort and well-being, gives me a strong sense of purpose in my work.
Sylvia Springer-Fahie, RN-BC, DNP, MSN, BSN, WCC, The Mount Sinai Hospital
“Our teams think of AI as augmented intelligence, versus artificial intelligence,” says Robbie Freeman, DNP, RN, Vice President of Digital Experience and Chief Nursing Informatics Officer at the Mount Sinai Health System. “The goal is to leverage AI as a supportive tool to enhance clinical decision-making—not to replace it.”
He adds, “Risk assessment models and tools for guiding care have always been integral to nursing practice. By combining nursing expertise and critical thinking with the ability to analyze vast amounts of data, AI is transforming how we deliver care, elevating quality and safety to unprecedented levels. In the coming years, this technology will continue to support nursing practice by enabling the creation of highly targeted, personalized care plans for every patient.”
Shown from let: Eric Kim; Prem Timsina, ScD; Arianna Goldman; Dhaval Patel; Maria ‘Vickee’ Sevillano, RN; Kim-Anh-Nhi Nguyen, MSc; Robbie Freeman, DNP, RN; and Arash Kia, MD, MsC
“Every AI project starts with a working group,” says Dr. Freeman, “and that working group always includes the people who are delivering care. For example, if we’re working on a falls-related initiative, we sit down with front-line nurses, with geriatricians, with nurse leaders, and from day one we’re talking together about what might be helpful.”
Currently, Mount Sinai nurses are using a machine learning model that predicts which patients are most likely to fall while in the hospital. The data behind this tool largely came from examining electronic medical record (EMR) data. By combing through nursing notes using recognition algorithms, Mount Sinai also developed an AI tool to better identify which patients are at higher risk for becoming delirious while in the hospital so that tailored preventive interventions could be put in place at the earliest opportunity.
From left: Prem Timsina, ScD; David Reich, MD, Chief Clinical Officer, Mount Sinai Health System, and President of The Mount Sinai Hospital; Robbie Freeman; Matt Levin, MD, and Arash Kia, MD, MsC
Mount Sinai is leading the world in developing a variety of AI products that support nurses and keep patients safe, according to Dr. Freeman.
Another AI product came about when Maria ‘Vickee’ Sevillano, BSN, RN, CWCN, COCN, a Mount Sinai clinical nurse, proposed an idea focused on the prevention of pressure injuries, also known as bed sores.
“We embraced the idea, collaboratively explored its nuances through a co-design process, and partnered with our internal data scientists and software engineers to transform it into a fully realized product,” says Dr. Freeman. “We tested and fine-tuned it, and in early 2024 the idea brought forward was introduced to the clinical setting. This predictive software is currently embedded in our EMR at The Mount Sinai Hospital, and we hope to expand its use as we continue to evaluate the product.”
Mount Sinai has also done a lot of work with a new type of AI called large language models, which, among other tasks, can recognize and generate large amounts of text. One particular study involved examining nursing triage notes to identify predictors for which Emergency Department patients were likely to be admitted to the hospital.
“In many cases the nursing documentation can really power AI,” says Dr. Freeman. “Much of nursing documentation data reflects their expert observations and has predictive power. So, using things like natural language processing algorithms, the nursing observations and assessments are really helpful in the development of AI tools that have broader use and impact. ”Mount Sinai is also using AI to help reduce the amount of time nurses spend doing documentation by rolling out macros—a sequence of computer instructions to automate a task—and tools that can streamline the process and relieve the documentation burden.
Kim-Anh-Nhi Nguyen, MSc, left, and Maria ‘Vickee’ Sevillano, BSN, RN, CWCN, COCN
As this emerging field continues to grow, Dr. Freeman says it is important to note that Mount Sinai has governance in place to ensure there is a solid understanding of how these tools work, that they are safe, and that they are being used in ways that are ethical and sound before they are being used in patient care.
“There’s a science and methodology for ensuring AI products are used responsibly,” Dr. Freeman says. The shared decision-making structure plays a critical role. Mount Sinai is also part of the nonprofit Coalition for Health AI, which brings together a diverse array of stakeholders to drive the development, evaluation, and appropriate use of AI in health care.
“AI is here and has proven it holds promise for thoughtfully revolutionizing care delivery in ways never imagined,” he says.
Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing graduates attend commencement at The Stern Auditorium at The Mount Sinai Hospital on December 19, 2024.
On December 19, 2024, the Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing celebrated the graduation of 103 students of Cohort 12, the class of students who began their studies in September 2023. The Stern Auditorium at The Mount Sinai Hospital was filled to capacity with proud families and friends of the graduates and school faculty.
Beth Oliver, DNP, RN, FAAN, Chief Nurse Executive, Senior Vice President, Cardiac Services, while in transit, offered her congratulations virtually. She stated that nursing is a profession not just known for clinical skill but significant for the compassion, resilience, and dedication to the well-being of others. And she emphasized the importance of direct patient care.
“The bedside, or chairside, is where the essence of nursing comes alive. You may step into roles as educators, researchers, administrators, or leaders in the field of nursing. You will become the mentors, advocates, and champions for the next generation of nurses. But regardless of where your path takes you, always remember the foundation of your practice: bedside is the best side. Every role you take on will ultimately come back to that fundamental connection with the people you serve.”
Brendan Carr, MD, MA, MS, with Kimberly Glassman, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAONL, FAAN (left) and Vivian Lien, DNP, RN, CNE, Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and Wellbeing and Clinical Associate Professor at the Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing
Brendan Carr, MD, MA, MS, Chief Executive Officer, Professor and Kenneth L. Davis, MD, Distinguished Chair, Mount Sinai Health System, spoke to the new graduates about their essential role in health care, how nurses make special connections not only to patients and patients’ families, but also to their colleagues.
“As a young physician, I learned that nurses are the engine of teamwork, especially with physician partners, because they understand the patient as a whole. You have a superpower.” He added that the graduates were very special to Mount Sinai and hoped they would continue as professional nurses in the Mount Sinai Health System.
Janet Green, Chair of the Board of the Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing, whose family was integral to the founding of the school, relayed congratulations, noting that nursing is a calling and “an integral part of patient health care.”
The Valedictorian, Jennifer Moffa, thanked her fellow classmates and faculty, giving them credit for her achievement. She added that it was “bittersweet” to complete her education at the Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing, but was thankful for “everlasting connections” and reminded her peers to “choose kindness.”
Before the recitation of the International Pledge for Nurses by the graduating class, and the flipping of their cap tassels from right to left, Kimberly Glassman, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, FAONL, FAAN, Dean, Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing, reiterated that there are diverse career paths open to the graduating class, saying, “the entire world is open to you.”
