Back row, from left: Frances Cartwright, PhD; Lauraine Spano-Szekely, DNP, MBA, BSN, RN; Anna Mazerski, RN; Iwona Wisniewski, BSN, RN; Abeyson Jacob, RN; David Reich, MD; and Jeffrey Saland, MD. Front row, from left: Juzlyn Noboa, RN; Vernalyn Sangatanan, BSN, RN; Theresa Dequito, RN; Shanti Basnet, RN; Yvette Cummings, RN; and Hilary Hotchkiss, MD.

“This is a recognition of a group of hemodialysis nurses who was called upon for the uncommon and challenging task of hemodialysis for a newborn infant with a life-threatening condition only dialysis could help.  The nurses are:  Shanti Basnet, RN, Vernalyn Sangatanan, RN, Abeyson Jacob, RN, Anna Mazerski, BSN, RN, Theresa Dequito, RN,  and Iwona Wisniewski, RN.

Overnight in the wee hours of May 24 and late into that day this group of nurses provided 10 hours of amazing care.  I credit also Juzlyn Noboa, RN, and Yvette Cummings, RN, the nurse managers for dialysis, for enabling these nurses to work in pairs for this baby, recognizing the need for more hands to make this risky procedure as safe as possible.   Though called late at night and past standard hours, the team was well-prepared and mobilized without hesitation.

These dedicated dialysis nurses seamlessly integrated into the larger nursing and physician and tech teams of the PICU.   It was like a tango as they worked together to keep the dialysis circuit running in the center of a whirlwind of acutely intensive care for this newborn.  All 3 dialysis sessions totaling 10 hours were successfully carried out in about 18 hours.

Hemodialysis for infants is a procedure few institutions can perform and the reason the baby was transferred to The Mount Sinai Hospital. We should be proud of our dialysis team. It is among the finest anywhere.”

Jeff Saland, MD, Chief of the Division of Pediatric Nephrology and Hypertension, Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital, and Medical Director, Pediatric Kidney Transplant Service,  Recanati Miller Transplant Institute (RMTI) of Mount Sinai. 

Victoria Hartman, LMSW, and Luis Prieto

“Luis Prieto is the administrative coordinator for pediatric nephrology and rheumatology. Luis’s dedication to the teams he works with and his patients is unmatched. He is selfless and compassionate and goes above and beyond each day to make sure our patients and families get the best patient care possible. He often goes outside his role and job responsibilities to help his team members and is always available to us. Although Luis does not interact face to face with patients, all of our patients have a relationship with him and rely on him for support and assistance. They know that Luis is always available to help them with any issue, big or small. Luis comes to work each day with a smile on his face and is a joy to work with. He is such an integral part of our team and is a big factor as to why we are so successful as a team. This has been especially true during the pandemic, where he kept us all together and our practices running smoothly. Our entire team would like to thank Luis for his unwavering support and dedication to our patients.”

Victoria Hartman, LMSW, Mount Sinai Kravis Children’s Hospital

From left, Monica Keith, Alberto Torres, and Johnuel Fland

“I observed Johnuel Fland, Floor Care Technician with Environmental Services, and Alberto Torres, General Laundry Worker in Linen Services, assisting a sick patient at the Ambulatory Care Center entrance at Mount Sinai Morningside. The patient was experiencing shortness of breath, and both men sprang into action! They quickly found a wheelchair and hurried the patient over to the Emergency Department. This act embodied all of the True North values we love to see in the staff and each other!”

Monica Keith, Operations Manager, Mount Sinai Morningside

From left: Willie Doe, Nichole Bruce, and Anthony White

“I would like to recognize EVS Tech Nichole Bruce for her outstanding work in the Mount Sinai Morningside Emergency Department. She started in the ED several months ago and has been going non-stop ever since. Nichole is determined to make the ED always look its best, cleaning everything in sight. She makes my job easier as she writes down any items in the ED that need repair and makes sure I know about them on a real time basis. Nichole also has a positive, upbeat attitude that make everyone feel good. Thank you, Nichole!”

Anthony White, Supervisor, ED Handlers and Equipment, Mount Sinai Morningside

From left: Zara Krilov, PT, Carole DeJesus, Tatiana Herrera, OT, and Alicia Thomas, MSPT, MPH

“Zara Krilov, PT, and Tatiana Herrera, OT, of the Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance at Mount Sinai Morningside, went above and beyond the call of duty by demonstrating compassion, patience and empathy for a patient who had a prolonged stay in the Intensive Care Unit and had previously been depressed, anxious, and not motivated to get out of bed or participate in therapy.  Their efforts—including a hair wash and detangling—were successful in positively impacting this patient’s functional progress and emotional state.”

Alicia Thomas, MSPT, MPH, Director of Rehabilitation Therapy Services, Mount Sinai Morningside