Stories of Excellence | Mount Sinai Today

Nurses Week Is Celebrated Across the Health System

May 19, 2022 | Featured, Nursing, Stories of Excellence

Ernest J. Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN, President of the American Nurses Association, visits with nurses and nursing leadership at The Mount Sinai Hospital.

Nurses Week was enthusiastically celebrated all across the Mount Sinai Health System this month. It kicked off on Friday, May 6, with a heartfelt message of thanks from Beth Oliver, DNP, RN, Chief Nursing Executive, Mount Sinai Health System, and from that moment on, the festivities were nonstop.

On Monday, May 9, nursing leadership hosted an event featuring special guest, Ernest J. Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN, President of the American Nurses Association (ANA), the nation’s largest nursing organization. Dr. Grant spoke to the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in nursing, and touched on some of ANA’s key initiatives and advocacy efforts. Dr. Grant reminded the audience that nursing is the largest health profession and most trusted one, and underscored that it is nurses who spend the most time with patients. The event can be viewed here.

On Thursday, May 12, a webinar addressed the future of nursing, with specific focus on innovation and Mount Sinai Nursing’s pivotal role in health equity.

On-site events were numerous. From ice cream parties to red carpet dancing and award ceremonies, nurses were in the spotlight, being thanked for their commitment to safe and compassionate care, leadership, innovation, and teamwork. Event photos were posted on social media channels, websites, the Daily app, and digital sites. A celebratory video, “To the Nurses,” has been posted on the Health System’s social media channels, lobby monitors, and You Tube playlist.

Ernest J. Grant, PhD, delivered a keynote address.

Two of Mount Sinai’s nurses garnered national attention in a segment on Today, the NBC morning show. Inspired by the care she received from Karen Devries, RN, a nurse manager at Mount Sinai Beth Israel, as a teenage cancer patient, Sierra Flores, RN, decided to pursue a career in nursing. She joined that hospital this year but had not seen Karen because they work in different departments. Sierra and Karen were reunited on the show, after not being in touch for fifteen years.

Although most events took place during Nurses Week, the Health System also observed National Nurses Month through a partnership with iHeart Media. Shelli Sonstein, morning show host of iHeart Radio’s Q104.3 FM, interviewed some outstanding nurses from across the system to highlight how nurses are an integral part of the caregiving team. Their stories are featured on Mount Sinai’s Stories of Nursing Excellence web page, and the full interviews are posted on a dedicated iHeart Nursing Excellence site.

“At this moment, a nurse is at a bedside caring for a loved one. At a computer compiling research findings. At a community site bringing tests to those in need. In a classroom training tomorrow’s clinicians,” the site says. “With an intimate knowledge of each patient, unwavering dedication, and relentless devotion to the highest level of care, our nurses are an integral part of the caregiving team.”

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.”