Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Nursing, Stories of Excellence
Josefina Gavieres, RN
Roxana Badiu, RN, is a senior nurse manager on 3 Dazian, a hospice unit at Mount Sinai Beth Israel. She describes Josefina Gavieres, RN, as “truly exceptional” and “wonderful with patients.”
Roxana adds, “Josie is one of the best, most dedicated nurses I have worked with, and I have been a nurse manager for over 25 years. Not only is Josie committed to our patients’ welfare, but she is concerned about the hospital, as well. She is always looking for ways to increase our efficiency, looking for ways to utilize all resources so that our unit has the all necessary equipment and supplies in order for our patients to be best served.”
Rabbi Jo Hirschmann recently nominated Josie for STAR recognition. She explains, “I spoke on the phone to the daughter of a patient who was on hospice on 3 Dazian. The daughter mentioned that Josie was her mom’s nurse for the day and said that knowing her mom was receiving such excellent care was comforting in itself. She was so grateful for Josie’s care.”
Josie says that being a nurse at Mount Sinai is a great honor. “I value my time that is spent giving of myself to my patients, including those who are on hospice, or are transgender, or might not have any family to comfort them,” she says. “It is so rewarding to know that I have made a difference; that a patient is comfortable and even happy being in our hospital, under my care.”
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Nursing, Stories of Excellence
Odeisha Maitland, BSN, RN-BC, left, and Patient Care Associate Keisha Gourdet
The son of a patient who recently was cared for at Mount Sinai Brooklyn sent a heartfelt handwritten letter commending the team of nurses on 2 East for their compassion, courtesy, and professionalism, and for putting patients first.
Saying they were “dedicated to their work,” he was especially impressed with the willingness of his father’s care team to listen to feedback, helping to reduce his anxiety and assure him his father’s needs were being taken care of. Odeisha Maitland, BSN, RN-BC, and Patient Care Associates Keisha Gourdet and Kebeon Jackson were mentioned by name.
Odeisha speaks emotionally about the patient experience and nursing. “Whenever a patient visits the hospital, they come in filled with many different emotions. They have to adjust to an unfamiliar environment and schedule and most often have questions and concerns about their health. Knowing they may face these and many other challenges, I believe it’s important to make our patients feel welcomed and help them adapt to a new, and likely scary, setting. A smile, a reassuring word, or hug can not only brighten their day but also improve their overall health. As a nurse at Mount Sinai, in keeping with our core values, I do my absolute best to provide for my patients and their families an experience of compassion, respect, and care.”
Patient Care Associate Kebeon Jackson, left, and Odeisha Maitland, BSN, RN-BC
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Nursing, Stories of Excellence
Dionnie Gadian, RN, a nurse in the Interventional Radiology Department at The Mount Sinai Hospital, garners high praise from his supervisor, Nurse Manager Dawn Scasserra, RN, and the Stroke team. They consider him a “go-to” member of the team who often lends a helping hand in other areas that need assistance. His colleagues appreciated this during the recent COVID-19 surge. While Radiology was significantly short-handed, Dionnie worked numerous additional hours wherever there was a need.
Colleagues say that Dionne is also making a difference clinically. He recently received STAR recognition for demonstrating a commitment to excellence by working quickly and efficiently to get a patient to stroke intervention in 31 minutes from arrival, an exceptionally fast time to treatment. The rapid intervention made a significant difference in this patient’s outcomes; the patient’s stroke deficits had almost entirely resolved upon discharge. According to the team, “the teamwork and rapid evaluation and treatment shown here, particularly during a COVID surge, changed the outcome of a patient’s life. We are all very appreciative to have such a great team player like Dionnie in Radiology and at Mount Sinai.”
Dionne is humble and pays the recognition back. “Nursing entails dedication, knowledge, hard work, and empathy. These qualities are essential for the best patient experience,” he says. “And teamwork. Being a part of our awesome endovascular team, learning from them and improving a patient’s condition, is incredibly satisfying.”
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Stories of Excellence
Alexandra had reason to be a little concerned about delivering her first child last fall. She had carried her son through surges of COVID-19, and despite being healthy and fit, was diagnosed with gestational diabetes, requiring her to come into New York City for weekly exams. But her experience at Mount Sinai West and the practice of Zhanna Rutstein-Shulina, MD, and Anna Rhee, MD, was the personalized approach and supportive environment she needed.
Alexandra was in labor less than eight hours, “Thanks to Dr. Rutstein-Shulina’s expertise and Caleb’s eagerness to meet us,” she says. She was admitted on the evening of October 3 and delivered early the next morning.
Alexandra was one of the first patients to stay in the new post-delivery unit at Mount Sinai West.
“It was modern, immaculate, and well thought out,” she says. “The small details, like the lights that could be dimmed, were relaxing, and felt more like my home than a hospital. The entire Obstetrics staff anticipated my needs, which especially as a first-time mom, was invaluable. I am truly grateful to everyone. The nurses were knowledgeable, responsive, and patient as were housekeeping and food services staff. They were all so kind. The nurse who taught me how to swaddle Caleb was a magician. And most importantly, I felt Caleb was safe.”
Alexandra currently lives in New Jersey with her husband and says, “The experience was so incredible that despite the distance, I would absolutely return to Mount Sinai West if we add to our family in the future.”
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Stories of Excellence
Marvin Milord,left, and Nicole Silverio,
Natosha Houston is Assistant Chief of Radiation Oncology at Mount Sinai West and is very proud of her “amazing” team. Recently she received a letter from a patient who clearly feels the same. The letter follows:
Dear Natosha:
As tomorrow is my last day of radiation treatments, let me please offer my thanks and compliments to your staff. I know you are as proud of them as I am thankful to them. I was certainly anxious as I started my treatments. Given the limited time they have between patients, your team was still able to help me feel secure. Nicole Silverio, Marvin Milord, Andrea Cepeda, and Shafira Subedi were so sensitive to me. I asked many questions, and I was anxious. Yet they provided answers and support that made me feel confident. There even came a time where I actually looked forward to my treatments, as I could then interact with them. Nicole, Marvin, Andrea, and Shafira were incredibly helpful. They are wonderful at their job and so kind. I felt fortunate to be their patient. I also got to know Antonella Leon for my last few sessions, and she was kind and helpful as well. I will always be thankful to have received the benefits of their skills. I am happy for you that they work with you.
Updated on Jun 30, 2022 | Stories of Excellence
Vanessa Castillo
Vanessa Castillo began working at the Mount Sinai Health System in November 2017. Since then, she has taken on multiple roles and currently works as the supervisor of Faculty Practice Associates (FPA) Operations. In her role, she supervises the Float Pool, a program that focuses on recruiting and training entry-level support staff, including medical assistants and patient coordinators, to handle the high demands of busy practices.
Kimberly Fields, manager of FPA Operations, considers Vanessa a team player. “Vanessa is warm and friendly and loves to serve our patients with a smile. We learned of her compassion first-hand after receiving a letter from an 82-year-old patient who had arrived at the wrong building for a procedure.” The patient wrote that Vanessa held his hand and walked him to the correct building and said she was “a very kind young lady, who did her job with a smile.”
Kimberly adds that Vanessa is always willing to help in any capacity. “I wasn’t shocked to hear about her willingness to escort the patient over to the next building,” she says. “That is what makes her special. She comes in every day with a positive, can-do attitude and has a commitment to caring for our employees, colleagues, and our patients.
