Nursing Excellence: Rehabilitation Nurse Looks Beyond Medication to All Aspects of Caring

Updated on Oct 7, 2022 | Nursing, Stories of Excellence

Joseph Giralt, RN, BSN

Joseph Giralt, RN, BSN, has been a nurse at The Mount Sinai Hospital in the Brain Injury Unit of the Department of Rehabilitation and Human Performance for four years. Nurse Manager Susan Brindisi, MSN, says Joe garners positive comments from patients on a regular basis as a result of his compassionate care, adding that he will often visit patients who have setbacks and transfer from the Rehabilitation unit back to a medical floor.

Joe believes everyone who provides care can make a difference. A recent thank you card sent by a patient and his wife attests to Joe’s commitment to the patient experience: “Your humanity, professionalism, and humor changed a scary and difficult time to a manageable situation. You are a gem.”

Joe only wishes he had more time to spend with all of his patients.

“I try to look beyond the medications, to all aspects of caring,” he says. Joe is humble and credits the interdisciplinary team in Rehabilitation as a key to successful outcomes. He especially wants to acknowledge Kern Cummings, a patient care associate with whom he works closely.

“Kern has been with us less than a year,” Joe says, “but he is beloved by his colleagues for his outstanding teamwork and patients for his wonderful care.”

 

Neurosurgery and Otolaryngology Physician Assistant Is an Energetic Force for Safety and Efficiency

Sep 29, 2022 | Stories of Excellence

Mei Kuen “Suzie” Xie, PA-C, MBA

Mei Kuen “Suzie” Xie, PA-C, MBA, is the Director of Operating Room Operations for the Departments of Neurosurgery and Otolaryngology, a new position at the Mount Sinai Health System. In this role, she is responsible for connecting the operating room needs of the departments with perioperative services at The Mount Sinai Hospital, improving the process in the operating room, and advancing quality initiatives surrounding patient safety.

Since assuming this role in 2022, Suzie has earned accolades from both senior leadership and colleagues. She is considered to be creative, proactive, deeply engaged, and energetic, and her sunny disposition and irrepressible energy motivate all those around her.

“Even with high expectations and many needs, Suzie significantly exceeded those expectations and identified needs we had not even realized existed,” says Joshua B. Bederson, MD, Leonard I. Malis and Corinne/Joseph Graber Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurosurgery at Mount Sinai Health System. “She completely transformed the operations, efficiency, safety, and most importantly, culture of the operating room environment.”

In Physician Assistant (PA) school, she developed an interest in Head and Neck pathology, which led her to her first position at NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst as a PA in Otolaryngology, a field also known as ear, nose, and throat. At Elmhurst, she worked alongside top-class surgeons and residents from The Mount Sinai Health System, assessing patients in a busy outpatient clinic, performing procedures from flexible laryngoscopy, needle aspirations of masses, and biopsy of tumors. Her duties also included coordinating patient’s operative and postoperative care.

Suzie says, “Seeing how highly specialized surgeons are able to repair any defects caused by cancer and to give patients hope and a second chance in life assured me that health care is where I want to be.” Valuing her experience in the operating room, both during training and at Elmhurst, Suzie transitioned to The Mount Sinai Hospital as a Head and Neck operating room PA.

Raj K. Shrivastava, MD, Professor of Neurosurgery and Otolaryngology, Vice Chair for Education for the Department of Neurosurgery, and Neurosurgery Residency Program Director, considers Suzie one of his most valuable colleagues. “She always goes above and beyond. She is conscientious, hard-working, well organized and always prepared. She has made real quantitative and impactful changes. As we all know, this takes not only commitment but also a true desire to be better and help.”

Satish Govindaraj, MD, FACS, FARS, Director of Rhinology and Sinus Surgery for the Department of Otolaryngology-HNS at Mount Sinai Health System adds, “Our first case ‘On Time Starts’ have been the highest in the hospital and our case turnover time has trended down as well. Suzie identified issues of concern in the operating room and she will be addressing each in a stepwise fashion. She has been an excellent liaison between the physicians and staff.”

Alfred Iloreta, MD, Director of Rhinology and Sinus Surgery for the Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, says Suzie is a natural leader and a great collaborator. “She has excelled in this new role, advocating for surgeons’ needs while always prioritizing patient safety.”

And Leslie Schlachter, Clinical Director and Chief Advanced Practice Provider for MSHS says, “As the Chief PA in Neurosurgery for Mount Sinai Health System, it is such an honor and privilege to have Suzie not only in an inaugural role for the system, but on our team and knocking it out of the park. Her knowledge, work ethic and enthusiasm is incomparable.”

“The OR is an integration of multiple disciplines and systems, making this position fun and challenging,” explains Suzie. “It requires constant learning, planning, and teamwork. I work with awesome perioperative and surgical teams to drive positive changes.”

Suzie’s journey as a PA professional is far from over. She earned an MBA in 2020 and credits her Mount Sinai team for helping pave the way.

“My journey would not have been as smooth without my supportive mentors, nursing leadership, and the joint effort among all staffs,” she says. “I have grown so much and cannot wait to see where these experiences will take me. That’s the beauty of being a PA: venturing out and following my passion.”

Nursing Excellence: Realizing a Dream to Care for Young Patients

Sep 15, 2022 | Nursing, Stories of Excellence

Ariana Blum, RN

Ariana Blum, RN, an Emergency Department (ED) nurse at The Mount Sinai Hospital is about to realize her lifelong dream of working with children. After two years in the ED, and cross training to Pediatrics, she is transferring to the Pediatric ED.

Ariana says that professional development opportunities for nurses at the Mount Sinai Health System have paved the way.

“I am now equipped with the skills to tackle tasks and assignments I would have previously found daunting,” she says. “From attending conferences to being provided with opportunities to learn new skills like ultrasound guided IV classes and resources to obtain certifications, there’s no shortage of ways to grow.”

Ariana feels as if she has truly found her niche in Pediatrics.

“I can now help some of our most vulnerable, and many times, most frightened patients. I had a 3-year-old patient in the pediatric ED who came in with respiratory distress,” she recounts. “She seemed terrified and was refusing to wear her nebulizer mask. I came into the room and offered to make ‘magic potions’ with her. Her eyes lit up as I had her wave her hand in front of the nebulizer and she watched the solution mist out. She then became not only compliant, but excited every two hours when I would enter the room to make ‘magic potions’. We were able to space out her nebulizer treatments more and more until eventually she was able to avoid what previously seemed to be an inevitable admission and was discharged home. I am so exciting to continue my ED journey here.”

Jenna Meyer, MBA, MSN, RN, Senior Director of Nursing in the ED at The Mount Sinai Hospital, has high praise for Ariana. “Ariana is an invaluable asset to our department. She has truly thrived in her role and has made a lasting impact on our pediatric patients and families. Ariana advocates for positive changes that improve patient experience, quality, and safety. She is a team player who shares her knowledge and skillset, offering help to her colleagues at all opportunities. Ariana provides a welcoming environment to patients and their families. Patient-centered care is at the core of what she does every day. Thank you Ariana for the difference you make!”

 

 

Nursing Excellence: NICU Nurse Brings Skill, Empathy, and Personal Experience to the Job

Updated on Sep 9, 2022 | Nursing, Stories of Excellence

Sandy Content, RN

Sandy Content, RN, has worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Mount Sinai West for fifteen years, and, according to Nori Yaun, RN, manager, Patient Care Services,  Sandy  is  an excellent practitioner who receives many compliments from parents and is well-respected by her team.

“She has a way of connecting with parents and making personalized approaches in building relationships with families,” Nori says. “She is courteous and maintains a calm and positive attitude in times of crisis and challenges. Sandy is also is an outstanding team member who nurtures and fosters growth of new staff members.”

Recently, parents of a baby born four weeks early and sent to the NICU wrote to the team in praise of Sandy. The parents explained that they felt so fortunate that Sandy was working the weekend their son arrived.

“It’s hard to put into words how much we appreciated Sandy’s empathy and professionalism and her level of excellence. We are first-time parents, and she took the time to answer every question we had while sharing her own experiences as a mother. We always felt that our son was in the best hands. He was cared for by the best of the best. Sandy is truly a gem.”

Sandy is more than qualified to provide support to parents whose babies spend time in the NICU. Her twins were born at just over 24 weeks and spent more than three months in intensive care. That experience was the impetus for her to move into a NICU position.

“This is why God brought my girls to me in this way,” she says, “because I had to be here. This is what I am supposed to be doing. I always say I have the greatest job in the world. I am the baby’s voice. And I put myself in the shoes of the parents. I try to explain the best I can what we are doing and why we are doing it. I love what I do, but I also love to see babies go home. To have had a hand in that, it makes me feel awesome.”

‘Patient Experience Extraordinaire’ Goes Above and Beyond Every Day for Patients

Aug 11, 2022 | Stories of Excellence

Lisa Renau

Lisa Renau, practice manager, Department of Medicine at Mount Sinai Morningside, cannot say enough about the professionalism and commitment to patient care demonstrated by Diane Kowchai, front desk coordinator at Mount Sinai Doctors-638 Columbus Avenue, Primary Care.

“How does one describe an employee who goes beyond the call of duty each and every day for the patients?” she asks, calling Diane our “Patient Experience Extraordinaire.”

“Diane engages with each patient as they enter the practice with a smile and calming voice. She thanks them for coming and asks how she might help them. The reaction from patients is one of complete joy, but it doesn’t stop there. Diane will come from behind the desk to assist the patient when checking in or answering their questions.”

Lisa goes on: “That one-on-one connection Diane builds is priceless. Before you know it, there is an engaging conversation between Diane and the patient. Diane ensures the patient is comfortable and will offer water as they wait. At the end of a visit, she will give the patient their After Visit Summary and wish them well.”

“But,” Lisa adds, “Diane does not stop there.”

The next day, Diane calls all the patients from the previous day to thank them for selecting Mount Sinai as their primary care practice. She will ask if they have any additional questions for their physician. “Our patients are overjoyed with the follow-up call and an engaging voice,” says Lisa. “They have nothing but kind words for Diane.”

Diane’s commitment to the welfare of her patients has roots in her childhood. “From a very young age, I always had a passion and desire to help others,” she says. “Having the opportunity to work directly with patients is a dream come true. I want each and every patient experience to be something they remember forever because I am able to assist them with their needs while providing the best service possible.”

Nursing Excellence: A ‘Night-Shift Nightingale’ Elevates the Patient Experience at Mount Sinai Morningside

Aug 4, 2022 | Nursing, Stories of Excellence

Gaylenis Del Carmen Mendez Cabreja, BSN, RN

Gaylenis Del Carmen Mendez Cabreja, BSN, RN, more widely known as Carmen, was recently celebrated at a Mount Sinai Health System President’s Huddle. In the episode cited, Carmen was working her usual night shift at Mount Sinai Morningside, providing post-operative care to a bariatric patient.

The patient later wrote the following: “Carmen was without a doubt the most kind, patient, and empathetic nurse I have ever met. I was in an incredible amount of pain, utilized my call bell many times, and each time she was at my bedside in seconds, removing wires for my numerous bathroom breaks or just to provide calming words of encouragement. Additionally, I shared a room with a woman who had extensive injurie and was very angry and loud at times. All I heard was Carmen in calming tones de-escalating and advocating the patient’s wishes to other providers when they entered the room. I wanted to bring awareness to Carmen because often times, people aren’t praised for a job well done, and she was excellent.”

Susan Ignacio, RN, Manager, Patient Care Services at Mount Sinai Morningside, praises Carmen for her superb patient care.

“If you have met Carmen, you will know that she is soft-spoken and always attentive to her patients. She is the ‘Night-Shift Nightingale,’ carrying a lamp quietly checking that everyone is okay. We are proud to recognize Carmen for her compassion, empathy, and dedication to elevating the patient experience at Mount Sinai.”

Carmen clearly puts herself in her patient’s shoes. “I approach patient care with honesty, empathy, and patience. Honesty allows the patient to make more knowledgeable decisions about their care. Empathy helps patients feel more comfortable and trusting of you to provide care to them. And patience creates a warm and welcoming environment, where patients can process and heal what is a life-altering experience for them,” says Carmen, who has worked at Mount Sinai Morningside, 8E, since December 2021. “Nursing to me means being not only a caregiver, but a friend, to someone in medical need. It’s a blessing to be able to help people in their time of need.”

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