meridian health nursing achievements: 2013

Nurses:A FORCE for Change

a Vital ResourceF O R H E A L T H

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Table of Contents

Transformational LeadershipLeading by Example 4

Awards and Honors 6

Putting Pen to Paper: Meridian Nurses Get Published 8

Exemplary Professional PracticeContinuing Our Magnet Journey Together 9

Clinical Advancement and Recognition of Excellence 10

Clinical Competency is at the Heart of the Meridian Health Nurse Residency Program 16

Certifications 17

Learning Opportunities Abound for Our Student Nurse Externs 21

Professional Organizations 22

New Knowledge, Innovations, and ImprovementsAdvancing Education through the Ann May Center for Nursing and Allied Health 24

Research 26

Publications 29

An Interdisciplinary Approach to Patient-Centered Care 31

Presentations 32

Structural EmpowermentMeasuring Shared Governance 41

Community Service and Outreach 43

Military/International Service 48

Meridian’s NICHE Program Welcomes Visitors from Abroad 49

Educational Achievements 50

FoundationThe Mehandru Award for Nursing Excellence 52

Nightingale Awards 52

Mildred H. Rosa Trust President’s Scholarship Award 53

Riverview Medical Center Nurse Excellence Award 53

Lloyd Family Nursing Scholarship 54

The Carol Ann Cawley Weshnak Pediatric Nursing Scholarship Award 55

Leslie E. Stewart SGNA Scholarship 55

This annual report was prepared by Meridian’s Marketing and Communications Department in collaboration with the Ann May Center for Nursing and Allied Health.

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Dear Colleagues

It is with great pride that we share with you the Meridian Health Nursing Achievements of 2013. We believe you will

agree that this was a year of change, both locally and nationally, as we continued to learn more about health care

reform, value based purchasing, and population health. Nursing at Meridian Health remains strong and is a vibrant

partner in the communities that we serve.

Meridian Health started 2013 with a special celebration as John Lloyd, FACHE, president of Meridian Health,

announced the creation of the Richard T. Hader Institute for Clinical Integration. John stated, “The development of

this Institute provides a formal organizational structure whose focus will be to eliminate fragmented care and truly

integrate care across the full continuum.” Dr. Hader made a profound impact on nursing practice at Meridian and

the implementation of patient centered care. During the dedication ceremony, Dr. Hader said he was “humbled

and honored by this meaningful gesture.”

Shortly after this ceremony, with sadness and heavy hearts, we said good-bye to our beloved leader, Dr. Hader,

as he lost a courageous battle. He will forever be in our hearts as we commit to carry on his legacy by continuing

to provide compassionate, exemplary care to our patients and each other.

To honor his legacy, nurses across Meridian gathered during Nurses’ Week for the Rich Hader Pay it Forward Event.

Dr. Hader firmly believed that successfully mentoring a nurse to achieve the highest goal that he or she desires to

reach is one of the greatest talents you can bring to yourself, the mentee, and the organization. Paying it forward

is part of Rich’s legacy. During this event, nurses had the opportunity to acknowledge and thank an individual who

inspired, mentored, or encouraged them to be the very best that they could be. This time of reflection was inspiring

to all in attendance and began our journey towards healing.

We are especially proud of our nurses at Meridian as we continually raise the bar of excellence. Your dedication

and commitment to quality of care, certification, higher education, and the profession of nursing is unwavering.

As you review the remarkable achievements of your colleagues you will realize the depth and breadth of expertise

in nursing within Meridian. Our nurses are amazing and we hope their accomplishments inspire you to publish,

volunteer, return to school, or simply promote nursing as a force for change: a vital resource for health.

Let the journey continue …the Hader way.

Nurses: A Force for Change – A Vital Resource for HealthM e r i d i a n H e a l t h N u r s i n g A c h i e v e m e n t s 2 0 1 3

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Transformational Leadership

Leading by Example

To lead by one’s actions, and not just words, inspires others to also achieve excellence in practice. In 2013, nurses across the system were recognized for their leadership, guidance, and commitment to providing the highest quality of patient care.

Patty Lucarelli, MSN, RN-BC, CPNP, APN, Pediatric Advanced Practice Nurse at the Jane H. Booker Family Health Center, was awarded the 2013 March of Dimes Nurse of the Year Award in Advanced Practice. This award recognizes nurses who demonstrate exceptional patient care, compassion, and service in improving the health of New Jersey’s mothers and babies.

Denise Schwartz, MSN, R.N., Nurse Manager of 2 North at Bayshore Community Hospital, received the Excellence in Gerontological Nursing Award from the Gerontological Nurses Association at the annual meeting in Orlando, FL. This award is presented to recognize excellence in nurses who have consistently provided outstanding care to older adults and have been inspirational role models and mentors to other health care workers.

Linda Hassler, R.N., MS, GCNS-BC, FNGNA, former Geriatric Program Manager and NICHE Coordinator at the Ann May Center for Nursing, received the Distinguished Nurse Educator Award from the National Gerontological Nurses Association at the annual meeting. This award is presented to a member of NGNA in recognition of outstanding leadership in nursing education in an educational or clinical setting, and participation and contributions toward achieving the goals of NGNA. Denise Schwartz, MSN, R.N. and Linda Hassler, R.N., MS,

GCNS-BC, FNGNA

Patty Lucarelli, MSN, RN-BC, CPNP, APN


Teri Wurmser, Ph.D., MPH, R.N., NEA-BC

Molly Berkowitz, R.N., MSN

Molly Berkowitz, R.N., MSN, Trauma Injury Prevention Coordinator at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, received the “Outstanding Emergency Medical Education Service Award” at the annual NJ state-wide conference in Emergency Medical Services. This award recognizes a clinical educator who has advanced EMS education in NJ.

Teri Wurmser, Ph.D., MPH, RN, NEA-BC, Director, Ann May Center for Nursing and Allied Health, received the Nurse Leader Award at the annual meeting of the Organization of Nurse Executives in NJ. This award is presented to nurses who demonstrate exceptional leadership, guidance, and service to their institution and to the profession of nursing.


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Our nurses continually raise the bar of excellence, so it is not surprising to find that so many Meridian nurses have been recognized for their exceptional accomplishments.

Rhodora Barretto, MSN, R.N., GNP-BC Orion Award, Meridian Health OMC

Katie Belko, BSN, R.N., CEN Galaxy and Orion Award, Meridian Health BCH

Molly Berkowitz, R.N., MSN Outstanding EMS Educator for the State of NJ, JSUMC NJ Dept of Health; Dr. Carl Marchetti Adult Award, Medical Explorers Program

Cheryl Bontales, R.N. BSN, MSN, CSN Thanks Badge, Girl Scouts of the USA BCH

Barbara Boyler, BSN, RN-BC Orion Award, Meridian Health JSUMC

Jennifer Brown, R.N., CDP Ann May Center Scholarship Awards JSUMC

Tamara Brown, MSN, RN-BC Orion Award, Meridian Health OMC

Nicholas Cardinale, R.N., CRNI Nominated, Infusion Nurse’s Society Board of Directors RMC

Georgia Cassidy, BSN, R.N. Sacred Heart University Dean’s List 2013; Alpha Sigma RMC Lambda Honor Society for Academic Excellence

Beth Castrovilly, R.N., OCN, BS Florence Nightingale Award, Meridian Health SOMC

Vimla Christian, R.N., CNN Best Transplant Designee of the Year, RMC Barnabas Transplant Center

Mary Cohen, R.N., WCC First Prize Poster Presentation, “It’s In The Bag,” DON Retreat MNRW

Amber Cutone, BSN, RN-BC, CBN Ann May Center Scholarship Award BCH

Suzanne Davitt, BSN, R.N., CAPA Galaxy Award, Meridian Health SOMC

Margaret DeBari, BC-NE, MA, MSN Leadership Scholarship, Rutgers University Graduate Program JSUMC

Carol Debenedictis, BSN, R.N., CCRN Ginny Horner Award, Ocean Medical Center OMC

Susan Dowd, BSN, R.N. Spirit of Nursing Award, New Jersey City University; BCH Summa cum Laude, New Jersey City University

Janet Edinger, BSN, R.N., CEN, CPEN Inductee, Sigma Theta Tau Phi Pi Chapter; President’s Honors SOMC Award GPA > 4.0, Chamberlain College of Nursing

Conrad Ehrig, MSN, RN-BC Dr. Carolyn Zagury Scholarship, Sigma Theta Tau Honor Society JSUMC

Christine Eisenberg, MSN, ACNP-BC High Honors, Drexel University JSUMC

Marianne Franovic, R.N., CGRN Galaxy Award, Meridian Health SOMC

Julie George, BSN, R.N., BSW, Grievance Chair 10 Year Service Award, HPAE Local 5138 SOMC CCRN, CBN

Awards and Honors

Awards and Honors

Christine Hader, DNP, RN-BC, First Place Poster Award Winner, Nursing Management Congress MH CPAN, CCRN

Linda Hassler, MS, R.N., Mini-Fellow, Stanford University, iSAGE (internet Successful MH GCNS-BC, FNGNA Aging Education Ethnogeriatric Program); Outstanding Nurse Educator Award, NGNA

Amanda Hessels, MSN, MPH, Rising Stars of Scholarship and Research Award, Sigma Theta Tau; MH R.N., CIC, CPHQ Association of Professionals Infection Control (APIC) International Infection Prevention Week (IIPW) Education Grant Award, The Water Project, APIC NNJ; Finalist, 1st Annual Communication Excellence in Scholarship Competition Rutgers, Graduate School Newark

Patricia Hessinger, RN-BC, CDP The Elizabeth Kellogg Award for Nursing Excellence, BCH Meridian Health

Janice Irvine, BSN, R.N., CGRN Inductee, Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society OMC

Patricia Lucarelli, MSN, RN-BC, March of Dimes Advanced Practice Nurse of the Year JSUMC APN, CPNP, PMHS

Ulanda Marcus-Aiyeku, MSN, R.N. Leadership Scholarship, Rutgers University Graduate Program JSUMC

Blesilda Mision, RNC-NIC Orion Award, Meridian Health JSUMC

Maureen O’Brien, MSN, R.N., Inductee, Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society; SOMC CCRN, ACNS-BC Golden Key Honor Society, Walden University

Allison Pianoforte, MSN, R.N., CEN Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Recognition Award BCH

Eleanor Ruzzo, BSN, R.N., CNOR Summa cum Laude, Kean University; Inductee, Sigma Theta SOMC Tau International Nursing Honor Society; Inductee, Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society

Debra Reinhold, BSN, RN-BC Magna cum Laude, New Jersey City University BHCC

Michael Rupp, BSN, RN-BC Galaxy Award, Meridian Health JSUMC

Sara Scheller, BSN, R.N., CPN, Woman of the Year, National Association of JSUMC CCRN, HC Professional Women

Denise Schwartz, BSN, RN-BC Excellence in Gerontological Nursing Award, NGNA; BCH Mildred H. Rosa President’s Scholarship, Meridian Health

Barbara Taylor, BSN, RNC-OB Dawood Farahi Public Service Endowed Scholarship, JSUMC Kean University

Kathleen Whalen, BSN, RN-BC, Recipient, Florence Nightingale Award, Meridian Health SOMC CCRN, CMC Nominee, The Elizabeth Kellogg Award for Nursing Excellence

Eric Wignall, BSN, R.N., CCRN Orion Award, Meridian Health JSUMC

Teri Wurmser, Ph.D., MPH, Nurse Leader Award, Organization of Nurse Executives MH R.N., NEA-BC New Jersey


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Putting Pen to Paper: Meridian Nurses Get Published

Don’t be surprised to find a few of our Meridian nurses the next time you are perusing Amazon.com. Lessons from a Visionary Leader: Inspirational Thoughts by Richard Hader was published by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins at the beginning of 2013. This collection of Dr. Hader’s most inspiring thoughts came from almost a decade of monthly editorials that were written for Nursing Management. The compilation of quotes was developed in collaboration with Meridian nurse leaders, who selected their favorites for inclusion in the publication. Organized by topics most often encountered in health care, the book includes his thoughts on everything from patient-centered care and teamwork to respect and values. This collection is an inspiration to every Meridian Health team member.

Anatomy of Research for Nurses, a book authored by two Meridian Health nurse scientists from the Ann May Center for Nursing and Allied Health, Drs. Christine Hedges and Barbara Williams, was published by Sigma Theta Tau International. It is intended to be a user-friendly approach to research for frontline nurses, bridging the gap between academic learning and the actual conduct of research in the clinical setting. The authors brought together a team of experts and nationally recognized contributors to accomplish this goal. Chapter authors from Meridian Health include: Drs. Teri Wurmser, Jane Bliss Holtz and Kathy Russell-Babin; and Cathy Boss, MSLS, AHIP, Booker Health Sciences Librarian.

The book contains 17 chapters related to three areas: a description of organizational structures that support research; a step-by-step guide to both reading and conducting research; and, important aspects in research such as legal and ethical considerations, obtaining funding for studies, and use of the internet and social media in research. Each chapter also contains learning elements such as questions and answer sections, sample protocols and frameworks, as well as data collection and measurement examples.

Exemplary Professional Practice

Continuing Our Magnet Journey, Together

Meridian Health has achieved the prestigious Magnet® recognition as a reflection of its nursing professionalism, teamwork, and quality in patient care. Magnet recognition is granted by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s (ANCC) Magnet Recognition Program, which ensures that rigorous standards for nursing excellence are met. In 2008, the three legacy hospitals—Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Ocean Medical Center, and Riverview Medical Center—applied as the Meridian Health System and became the first system in the country to achieve this gold standard for nursing quality. Meridian set the standard for systemwide leadership, the development of a culture of nursing excellence, and the execution of professional practice. We are proud to continue to advance the quality of nursing care and the nursing profession through education, clinical expertise, research, and shared governance.

In 2013, Magnet revised the manual to reflect the current health care environment and updated the requirements for nursing education, research, and leadership to support the recommendations of the Institute of Medicine’s Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health (2010). As such, the Magnet focus is shifting from the work environment to an emphasis on structure, processes, and patient outcomes. Additionally, Magnet now requires that health care organizations demonstrate higher levels of evidence which prove quality at the unit and organizational level. In 2015, the expectations are much higher because we are applying for re-designation as a system. Although we have already proven a high level of excellence, Magnet is raising the bar for all organizations.

How are we preparing to meet this challenge? First, our two newest hospitals, Southern Ocean Medical Center and Bayshore Community Hospital, have been actively engaged in the quest to demonstrate the standards of Magnet excellence. Second, we have built a strong foundation to ensure that all nurses across the system have the resources to support formal nursing education, professional development, national certification and continuing education. Third, we have identified gaps and collaboratively have created plans to improve and implement changes as needed. Finally, we can thank our leaders, Unit Based Councils and Professional Practice Council and Chairs, for creating the motivation to make any changes needed to overcome our challenges and sustain our commitment to quality. In 2014, we must become even more engaged, as the stakes are high for Meridian Health, nursing, and, most of all, patient care.

Last year, Lisa Guinta, MSN, RN-BC, was appointed as the new Magnet program director to help lead the journey. She shares these words of inspiration with all of you:

“I encourage each and every nurse to find an issue or committee that you are passionate about and take action! Make a difference by mentoring others and showing support for our profession. Incorporate simple gestures of praise and formally acknowledge your colleagues’ exemplary work by nominating them for local and national awards. Continue to create the enthusiastic, open atmosphere where nurses can share ideas, and best practices incorporating them into quality care, as this has been the Meridian Way. Continue your commitment to lifelong learning, become nationally certified in your area of practice, and if you do not have your BSN, apply and begin as soon as possible, so that you are better able to meet the challenges ahead. Increase your knowledge about policies that are the driving forces behind changes in health care so you can make a difference. And above all, discover your own potential, and know that the value of what you bring to the bedside is appreciated, because even the smallest of actions can make a big difference.”


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The C.A.R.E. Program acknowledges and rewards nurses who have demonstrated a level of clinical expertise and who practice at a level that improves patient outcomes.

FELLOW

Elaine Alerta Dayo, BSN, R.N. RMC

Jennifer Ambar, BSN, R.N. SOMC

Louise Angso, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Stacey Annunziato, AS, R.N. JSUMC

Jennifer Beisel, AS, R.N., ONCB OMC

Gina Bello, BSN, R.N., PCCN OMC

Patricia Beltran, AS, R.N. RMC

Barbara Bosch, AS, R.N., CMSRN, OCN SOMC

Paris Bottazzi, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Nancy Boyce, AS, R.N. BCH

Sheila Boylon, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Clarese Bradley, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Eileen Brow, AS, R.N., CPN OMC

Porfiria Bug-Os, BSN, R.N., RN-BC, CNRN JSUMC

Juliana Cadmus, AS, R.N., RN-BC RMC

Maria A. Cappello, BSN, R.N. RMC

Victoria Cardenas, R.N., CDN JSUMC

Laura M. Carlson, AS, R.N. JSUMC

Lisa Carr, AS, R.N. BCH

Beth Castrovilly, BSN, R.N., OCN SOMC

Erika Chiaro, BSN, R.N. RMC

Jon Christensen, BSN, R.N. RNC OMC

Stephanie Conwell, AAS, R.N. JSUMC

Doreen Cox, R.N., CCRN JSUMC

Michele Critelli, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Suzanne Cross, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Jennifer Santa Cruz, AS, R.N., RNC OMC

Louise Damiani, BSN, R.N. OMC

Merelene B. Damilio, BSN, R.N., CMSRN SOMC

Donna Daukshus, R.N. BCH

Sharon L. Davis, AS, R.N., CAPA OMC

Marissa Delleani, AS, R.N. JSUMC

Susan Dowd, BSN, R.N. BCH

Nicole Egan, AS, R.N. JSUMC

Elisa Escoto, BSN, R.N. RMC

Maria Ferguson, R.N. JSUMC

Jennifer L. Ferko, AS, R.N. SOMC

Carol Fink, AS, R.N. RMC

Marianne Franovic, AS, R.N. CGRN SOMC

Amy Gaffney, R.N. JSUMC

Jennifer Gallant, AS, R.N. JSUMC

Patricia Galvin, BSN, R.N. BCH

Rex Orlando Gimotea, BSN, R.N., RN-BC RMC

Ivette Giordano, BSN, R.N. SOMC

Robert Grady, AS, R.N., CCRN SOMC

Millie Grant, AS, R.N., CCRN, RNC RMC

Jill Greve-Falcone, AS, R.N., RN-BC SOMC

Charlene Habon, BSN, R.N. BCH

Marlene Habon, BSN, R.N. BCH

Denise Hamill, AS, R.N., CCRN OMC

Barbara Hardy-Butler, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Jacqueline Harmon, AS, R.N. RMC

Clinical Advancement and Recognition of Excellence


Eileen D. Hedrick, AS, R.N., CPN OMC

Lisa Hess, R.N., OCN, CBCN RMC

Tina L. Hoffman, AS, R.N., RN-BC RMC

Carol A. Hundsrucker, BSN, R.N., CCRN, CGRN BCH

Michelle Hunter, AS, R.N. JSUMC

Lauren Janiak, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Joni Jones, R.N., RN-BC, CDDN RMC

Ashley Jordan, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Karen Kelly, AS, R.N. OMC

Madison Kenny, AS, R.N. JSUMC

Donna Kester, R.N. RMC

Rachel Klarmann, R.N. JSUMC

Tiffany E. Kountouris, AS, R.N. JSUMC

Aireene Lambo, BSN, R.N. RMC

Sarra Latendorf, BSN, R.N. OMC

Katherine E. Lauriello, BSN, R.N. BCH

Margaret Lauro, AS, R.N., OCN BCH

Jillian Lebret, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Siobhan Lonergan, AS, R.N. RMC

Margo Macasadia, BSN, R.N., RNBC SOMC

Mary Macaya, AS, R.N. RMC

Dana Magtuloy, AS, R.N. OMC

Patricia C. Mannion, BSN, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Lynn Martin, R.N., CGRN SOMC

Jane Masick, AS, R.N., OCN SOMC

Eileen Matichuk, BSN, R.N. OMC

Jamie Mazza, AS, R.N., CMSRN SOMC

Kathleen A. Mcauley, BSN, R.N. BCH

Brian Migioia, AS, R.N., CNOR RMC

Amanda Miller, BSN, R.N. OMC

Aida Mones, BSN, R.N. RNC BCH

Elizabeth Mrozinski, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Tina L. Nerau, AS, R.N., RN-BC, CMSRN RMC

Bernadette O’Regan, AS, R.N., CCRN JSUMC

Maria Ombres, AS, R.N. JSUMC

Melodie Orloff, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Arnold Ortiz, BSN, R.N., RN-BC JSUMC

Jocelin C. Pagente, BSN, R.N. BCH

Shelley Paterson, AS, R.N. JSUMC

Jonathan Payne, AS, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Matthew Pecci, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Lude Philippe, AS, R.N. RMC

Mathew Phillips, R.N. JSUMC

Norma A. Pinto, BSN, R.N., CCRN BCH

Michelle Poinsette, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Maureen Potter, AS, R.N. JSUMC

Endera Preval, BSN, R.N., RN-BC JSUMC

Wendy Rabinowitz, BSN, R.N. BCH

Armie Reyes, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Jill Riley, AS, R.N. BCH

Krista Roberts, BSN, R.N., CCRN, CEN OMC

Gaudencio D. San Jose, Jr., BSN, R.N. SOMC

Grace Santos, BSN, R.N., RN-BC JSUMC

Laurie Sawyer, R.N. SOMC

Marilyn Scandrett, AS, R.N. JSUMC

Diane M. Schierer, R.N. JSUMC

Courtney Scheiderman, AS, R.N., RN-BC JSUMC

Sarina Sestito, BSN, R.N., OCN OMC

Dion Shaw, AS, R.N. JSUMC

Tracey Sierra, BSN, R.N. OMC


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Esther Skeete, BSN, R.N. RMC

Elizabeth Spinosa, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Aimee Splendorio, BSN, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Jane Tan, AS, R.N., CMSRN SOMC

Caroline Thompson, AS, R.N., CMSRN SOMC

Nancy Tomczyk, AS, R.N., CGRN SOMC

Aimee Trainor, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Shameca Trotman, AS, R.N. OMC

Tatiana Vanshtein, BSN, R.N., RN-BC JSUMC

Kelly Vasikonis, AS, R.N. SOMC

Yolanda Vega-Diaz, BSN, R.N., PCCN SOMC

Patricia Weber, MSN, R.N., OCN, RNC OMC

John R. Wisniewski, AS, R.N. JSUMC

Kristen Wronko, BSN, R.N. OMC

Amanda Zarama, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

RESOURCE

Jennifer Abbes, BSN, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Amy Addeo, R.N., CAPA JSUMC

Maleonidas Alteros, BSN, R.N., RNC OMC

Karen Asmar, AS, R.N., RNC RMC

Gerald Barry, AS, R.N. OMC

Margaret Bekefi, BSN, R.N., CAPA JSUMC

Kristina J. Bolinsky, AS, R.N., RNC RMC

Rachel Bordzuk, BSN, R.N. OMC

Gina Bosland, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Meredith Brazinski, BSN, R.N., CCRN JSUMC

Aileen E. Brossa, AS, R.N. RMC

Suzanne Brown, BSN, R.N., CMSRN JSUMC

Stephanie Carrion, BA, R.N., CAPA JSUMC

Girlie Castillon, BSN, R.N., CNOR JSUMC

Janice Chua, BSN, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Suzanne Clancy, AS, R.N., RNC OMC

Joena Cobb, AS, R.N., RNC, CBC OMC

Charlotte L. Cole, AS, R.N., RN-BC JSUMC

Linda Coppola, AS, R.N. OMC

Jaine Cruz, BSN, R.N., RNC OMC

Amber Cutone, BSN, R.N., RN-BC BCH

Melissa G. D’Altilio, AS, R.N. JSUMC

Kathy A. Dean, AS, R.N., RNC OMC

Kristy L. DeFluri, BSN, R.N., CCRN JSUMC

Wendy Devirgilis, R.N. JSUMC

Carole Distefano, AS, R.N. JSUMC

Toni Donovan, BSN, R.N., CVN JSUMC

Joanne Dougherty, R.N., RNC RMC

Charles Dume, AS, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Dolores Dzubaty, MSN, R.N., RNC OMC

Deborah Edgerton, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Sharon Enriquez, BSN, R.N., MSRN JSUMC

Racel L. Fernandez, BSN, R.N., RN-BC SOMC

Rowena Garcia, BSN, R.N., RN-BC JSUMC

Christina Garrison, AS, R.N. BCH

Penny Geis, AS, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Robert Grzyb, BSN, R.N., CCRN JSUMC

June Haesler, BSN, R.N., RN-BC OMC

Joanne Hahn, AS, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Mary Ann Hay, AS, R.N., RNC OMC


Jule Anne Hueth, R.N., CGRN OMC

Kristi Huffert, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Jean Hughes, AS, R.N., CNN OMC

Noreen Imbemba, AS, R.N. RMC

Christine Jacobs, AS, R.N., RN-BC JSUMC

Janice Jaiyeola, AS, R.N. RMC

Shannon Jones, BSN, R.N., CAPA JSUMC

Nicole Jurik, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Sharon Krebs, AS, R.N., CCRN, CPAN OMC

Mary Jo Kundrats, BSN, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Debra Kyne, R.N. JSUMC

Kristine Lao, BSN, R.N., RN-BC RMC

Carmelinda Lapadula, BSN, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Duane Leist, AS, R.N., CNOR RMC

Janine Long, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Donna Mayer, AS, R.N., RNC OMC

Brianne McNamara, AS, R.N., RN-BC JSUMC

Tracy Moreland, AS, R.N. JSUMC

Erika Mulreed, AS, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Katelyn Mundorff, BSN, R.N., CCRN JSUMC

Deborah L. Murray, AS, R.N., CCRN OMC

Renee Nebus, AS, R.N., CNOR OMC

Carole Nemec-Hart, AS, R.N., MCS OMC

Janine Novrit, AS, R.N. RMC

Kelly L. Perrotta, AS, R.N. RMC

Sandra Persaud-Foster, AAS, R.N., RMC CCRN, CCRC

Brigitte Pyne, R.N. JSUMC

Carolyn Reichard, AS, R.N., CPAN RMC

Michele D. Reid, AS, R.N. JSUMC

Thomas J. Reinhold, AS, R.N., RN-BC OMC

Gwen Reynolds, AS, R.N., RN-BC, CEN JSUMC

Amanda Rinderer, BSN, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Jessica Rivera, AS, R.N., RN-BC JSUMC

Ercilia Rodriguez, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Lisa M. Ryan, BS, R.N. RMC

Patricia A. Saklas, BSN, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Volha Savelyeva, AS, R.N. JSUMC

Jennifer Sciria, BSN, R.N., PCCN JSUMC

Marelene Sia, BSN, R.N., CRRN RMC

Christopher Siciliano, AAS, R.N., CARN BCH

Marie Theosny, AS, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Biji Varghese, BSN, R.N., CCRN JSUMC

Jenna Wallace, DIP, R.N., CCRN JSUMC

Kimberly Worth, AS, R.N., CCRN JSUMC

Patrycjusz Wysocki, BSN, R.N. JSUMC


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SCHOLAR

Venus Balaoing, BSN, R.N., RN-BC JSUMC

Hegel A. Balingit, BSN, R.N. RMC

Jan Barberio, R.N. RMC

Jeffery Bautista, BSN, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Jacki Bernick, BSN, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Lynne Bottage, BSN, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Jennifer Brown, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Ronald Castillon, AS, R.N., RN-BC JSUMC

Anne Carmel E. Castillo-Rabe, BSN, JSUMC R.N., CMSRN

Almarie D. Castro, BSN, R.N., RN-BC JSUMC

Deborah Curry, AS, R.N. OMC

Diane Czeczuga, R.N., RNC OMC

Anabella Dacpano, BSN, R.N., CCRN OMC

Karen Dalton, AS, R.N., MSRN RMC

Karen Daly, BSN, R.N. BCH

Shannon Davis, AS, R.N., CRRN JSUMC

Kristina DeCurtis, AS, R.N., CNOR OMC

Jeanette C. DelRosario, MSN, R.N., CMSRN RMC

Allan Diaz, BSN, R.N., RNC RMC

Anabello Docpono, BSN, R.N., CCRN OMC

Nancy Fariello, AS, R.N., CCRN JSUMC

Numerfranca Fuentes, BSN, R.N., RN-BC RMC

Jose A. Guerrero, BSN, R.N. RMC

Michael Paul Hibionada, BSN, R.N. RMC

Jamie Kiernan, BSN, R.N., RN-BC JSUMC

Kathleen Kochel, AS, R.N., CPEN JSUMC

Rosario C. Mangulabnan, BSN, R.N. OMC

Shannon Marek, AS, R.N. JSUMC

Dawn Mathurin, AS, R.N., CPN JSUMC

Anita Menture, AS, R.N. RMC

Michelle A. Mezey, AS, R.N., RNC OMC

Rachel Miller, AS, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Valeria Miller, MS, R.N., CNRN, CEN JSUMC

Barbara Moeller, BSN, MBA, R.N. JSUMC

Danielle N. Naia, BSN, R.N., CCRN, FN-C JSUMC

Ann Patti, AS, R.N., RNC RMC

Mary Repetti, AS, R.N., CBE RMC

Monica Saldarini, AS, R.N., CPAN RMC

Jasper Santillan, BSN, R.N., MSRN JSUMC

Mary C. Schaad, BSN, R.N. JSUMC



Rosemary Silva, BSN, R.N., CCRN JSUMC

Maria Trifona Silverman, BSN, JSUMC R.N., NCC, RNC

Joanne Sniffen, BS, R.N., CNOR, CCM JSUMC

LoisAnn Symos, R.N., OCN RMC

Lynn Thompson, R.N. RMC

Sherry Timbrook, AS, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Lisa Weiss-Walters, BSN, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Marianne Wood, BSN, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Galina Yegorov, AS, R.N., OCN JSUMC

SPECIALTY SCHOLAR

Cathy Aronson, BSN, R.N., RNC RMC

Nadeen Attardo, AS, R.N. SOMC

Krysta Berkowitz, AS, R.N., CEN OMC

Anne Breen, MSN, R.N., CCRN, CMC OMC

Lisa Calabrese, AS, R.N. OMC

Sherley Casseus, AS, R.N. OMC

Jing Cheng, BSN, R.N., CMSRN BCH

Riviani Church, AS, R.N. RMC

Fiona Curtis, AS, R.N. JSUMC

Joan Deckman, AS, R.N., OCN SOMC

Imee L. Dein, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Grace DeMayo, AS, R.N. RMC

Jennifer Dember, AS, R.N. RMC

Toni Gale, AS, R.N., RNC OMC

Karen Garafano, AS, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Trina Hayes, BSN, R.N., CDN OMC

Susan Inwright, AS, R.N., RNC RMC

Lisa Knapp, AS, R.N., RNC OMC

Melissa Kortze, AS, R.N., CMSRN SOMC

Antoinette Leeman, MSN, R.N., CEN BCH

Lucia Limlingan, BSN, R.N. RMC

Zhanyi Lin, BSN, R.N., RNC BCH

Dina M. Mandriota, AS, R.N. RMC

Anne Manzi, R.N., CCRN OMC

Matthew McDevitt, AS, R.N. BCH

Jessica O’Hanlon, BSN, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Regina Opare-Sem, BSN, R.N., RN-BC RMC

Theresa Otte, BSN, R.N., CEN SOMC

Danielle Pergolese, AS, R.N., CMSRN SOMC

Laila Reed, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Natasha Rek, BSN, R.N., RNC RMC

Elaine Rivera, AS, R.N. RMC

Lisa Ross, AS, R.N. BCH

Mymimilami Santos, BSN, R.N. JSUMC

Mary Kate Santos, R.N. OMC

Carol J. Schengrund, AS, R.N., RNC OMC

Deborah Serra, AS, R.N., RNC JSUMC

Jennifer Smock, BSN, R.N., CCRN JSUMC

Deborah Jean Topoleski, MSN, SOMC R.N., RN-BC

Elyse Tully, BSN, R.N. RMC

Debra Umlauf, AS, R.N., RN-BC JSUMC

Jill A. Veenboer, R.N., RNC OMC

Tracey Yaeger, R.N. RMC


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Clinical Competency is at the Heart of the Meridian Health Nurse Residency Program

Meridian’s first group of nurse residents graduated on February 21, 2013. The system’s nurse residency program has been successful in helping the health system retain eighty percent of those new graduates over the first year, significantly surpassing the national retention rate of fifty percent.

The nurse residency curriculum began in September of 2012 with thirteen novice nurses from all of Meridian’s hospitals. The nurses graduated in the spring of 2012 from the Georgian

Court-Meridian Health School of Nursing, The College of New Jersey, Brookdale Community College, Cebu Normal University Philippines, Muhlenberg JFK School of Nursing, New Jersey City University, and Ocean County College. Since this first group graduated, we have had two additional classes complete the residency program with a total of seventy new graduate hires participating.

The nurse residency program represents our commitment to fully prepare new graduate nurses to provide safe and effective care in the acute care environment. This “transition to practice” program provides new nurses with the benefits of hands-on education from our own clinical experts. It also allows them to gain knowledge about Meridian’s clinical practice standards and incorporate them into their own daily clinical care of patients. Developing clinical competency is at the foundation of the nurse residency program, allowing novice nurses to apply the knowledge, skills, and behaviors that are needed to fulfill the needs of the patients we care for.


Certifications

The enduring desire to advance one’s clinical skills and to achieve new knowledge is a powerful motivation for Meridian nurses.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Christine Eisenberg, MSN, ACNP-BC JSUMC (ACNP-BC) Linda Houseal, MSN, R.N., ACNP-BC, CCRN recert MH

Adult Critical Care Registered Jody Abken, R.N., CCRN recert JSUMC Nurse (CCRN) Milena Buckley, R.N., CCRN SOMC Virginia Carreira, DNP, R.N., APN, CCRN, FNP, CDE recert JSUMC Suzette Catong, MSN, APN-C, CCRN, RN-BC recert JSUMC Marianne Dolaghan, R.N., CCRN OMC Carolyn Fernandez, MSN, R.N., APRN-BC, CCRN, CEN recert JSUMC Julie George, BSN, R.N., BSW, CCRN, CBN recert SOMC Joan Harvey, DNP, R.N., CCRN recert OMC Melissa Leist, BS, R.N., CCRN RMC Eileen Maclearie, BSN, R.N., CCRN JSUMC Mary Ellen Matthews, BSN, BA, R.N., CCRN recert SOMC Linda Palmer, R.N., CCRN SOMC Patricia Reiff, BSN, R.N., CCRN, CPAN recert JSUMC Sara Scheller, BSN, R.N., CPN, CCRN, HC JSUMC Edward Vetrecin, MSN, R.N., CCRN, CEN recert SOMC Jenna Wallace, BSN, R.N., CCRN-CSC recert JSUMC Eric Wignall, BSN, R.N., CCRN recert JSUMC

Adult Nurse Practitioner, Suzette Catong, MSN, APN-C, NP-C, CCRN, RN-BC JSUMC Certified (NP-C)

Adult Nurse Practitioner Board Medea Macaluso, MSN, APN-BC, R.N., CCRN recert OMC Certified (ANP-BC) Marlene Navarro, MSN, AOCNP, OCN, ANP-BC recert OMC Judith Slover-Zipf, DNP, MSN, ANP-BC, ADM-BC, CDE recert JSUMC

Advanced Oncology Certified Kathleen Gelchion, MSN, R.N., AOCNS-BC, CHPN RMC Clinical Nurse Specialist (AOCNS)

Cardiac-Vascular Nursing (RN-BC) Rocel Besa, Ph.D., MSN, BSN, RN-BC recert RMC Suzette Catong, MSN, APN-C, CCRN, RN-BC recert JSUMC Donna Rizzolo, BSN, RN-BC SOMC

Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Suzanne Davitt, BSN, R.N., CAPA recert SOMC Nurse (CAPA)

Certified Assisted Living Marvin Sauerhoff, BSN, RN-BC, CALA recert JSUMC Administrator (CALA)

Certified Bariatric Nurse (CBN) Amber Cutone, BSN, RN-BC, CBN BCH Julie George, BSN, RN, BSW, CCRN, CBN SOMC


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Certifications

Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) Lisa Glickstein, MSN/Ed, RN-BC, CCRN, CBIS SRI

Certification in Cardiac Medicine (CMC) Kathleen Whalen, BSN, RN-BC, CCRN, CMC recert SOMC

Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP) Jennifer Brown, R.N., CDP JSUMC Colleen Gorsegner, R.N., CDP MNRW Patricia Hessinger, RN-BC, CDP BCH Jancy Jacob, BSN, RN-BC, CDP BCH

Certified in Electronic Fetal Roselyn Young, MSN, RNC-OB, C-EFM recert JSUMC Monitoring (C-EFM)

Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) Katie Belko, BSN, R.N., CEN recert BCH Janet Edinger, BSN, R.N., CEN, CPEN recert SOMC Vivian Felix, BSN, R.N., CEN recert OMC Caitlyn Iafera, BSN, R.N., CEN recert JSUMC Joan Maciel, R.N., CEN OMC Gwen Reynolds, RN-BC, CEN JSUMC Dorota Winks, R.N., CEN SOMC

Certified Gastroenterology Janice Irvine, BSN, R.N., CGRN recert OMC Registered Nurse (CGRN) Elizabeth Margl, BSN, RN-BC, CGRN recert OMC Laurie Sawyer, R.N., CGRN SOMC

Certified Holistic Health Coach (HC) Sara Scheller, BSN, R.N., CPN, CCRN, HC JSUMC

Certified Hospice and Palliative Jackie Dibernardo, RN-BC, OCN, CHPN BCH Care Nurse (CHPN) Kathleen Gelchion, MSN, R.N., AOCNS-BC, CHPN recert RMC

Certified Legal Nurse Consultant (CLNC) Diane Sanders, BSN, R.N., CCRN, CLNC BHCC

Certified Medical Surgical Nancy Hughes, R.N., CMSRN SOMC Registered Nurse (CMSRN) Melissa Kortze, R.N., CMSRN SOMC Danielle Pergolese, R.N., CMSRN SOMC Joell Wright, R.N., CMSRN SOMC

Certified Neuroscience Registered Valeria Miller, MS, CEN, CNRN JSUMC Nurse (CNRN)

Certified Nurse Executive (CNE) Alda Valenzuela, MSN, RN-BC, CNE, MQC CGN, CWS, CDONA/LTC

Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) Eleanor Ruzzo, BSN, R.N., CNOR recert SOMC

Certified Occupational Health AnnMarie DeFaria, BSN, R.N., COHN JSUMC Nurse (COHN)

Certified Pediatric Emergency Janet Edinger, BSN, R.N., CEN, CPEN SOMC Nurse (CPEN)

Certifications

Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) Donna Bator, R.N., CPN recert OMC Nicole Ifantis, BSN, R.N., CPN OMC Mary Peled, BSN, R.N., CPN recert OMC Vera Reiner, R.N., CPN recert OMC Patricia Saklas, R.N., CPN recert JSUMC Sara Scheller, BSN, R.N., CPN, CCRN, HC recert JSUMC

Certified Perianesthesia Nurse (CPAN) Suzan Dolak, R.N., CPAN recert OMC

Certified Professional in Healthcare Amanda Hessels, MSN, MPH, R.N., CIC, CPHQ recert MH Quality (CPHQ)

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) Clair Carragino, MSN, R.N., APN-C, FNP-BC JSUMC Virginia Carreira, DNP, RN, APN, CCRN, FNP, CDE recert JSUMC

Gerontological Certified Nurse Barbara Boyler, BSN, RN-BC recert JSUMC (RN-BC) Tamara Brown, MSN, RN-BC OMC Vicki DeNoia, MSN, RN-BC, APN recert MQC Racel Fernandez, BSN, RN-BC, PCCN recert SOMC Patricia Hessinger, RN-BC, CDP recert BCH Barbara Lawless, BA, RN-BC, OCN SOMC Christina Mays, RN-BC SOMC Debra Reinhold, BSN, RN-BC recert BHCC Denise Schwartz, BSN, RN-BC recert BCH Kathleen Sullivan, MSN, RN-BC recert JSUMC

Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Rhodora Barretto, MSN, R.N., GNP-BC OMC (GNP-BC)

High Risk Neonatal Intensive Care (NIC) Blesilda Mision, RNC-NIC recert JSUMC

Inpatient Obstetric Nurse (RNC-OB) Ann Marie Benson, BSN, RNC-OB recert SOMC Dolores Dzubaty, Ph.D., MSN, RNC-OB recert OMC

International Board Certified Joyce McKeever, MS, R.N., IBCLC, LCCE recert JSUMC Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

Medical-Surgical Nursing (RN-BC) Lynne Bottge, RN-BC recert JSUMC Sheila Boylan, BSN, RN-BC JSUMC Barbara Boyler, BSN, RN-BC recert JSUMC Joanne Kristine Bruno, RN-BC recert RMC Francine Dygulski, MSN, RN-BC, CNRN JSUMC Lindsay Fehring, BSN, RN-BC JSUMC Bette Grande, RN-BC recert JSUMC Jill Greve-Falcone, RN-BC SOMC Elizabeth Margl, BSN, RN-BC, CGRN recert OMC Rebecca Reiff, BSN, RN-BC JSUMC Deborah Serra, BSN, RN-BC recert JSUMC Christopher Siciliano, RN-BC, CARN BCH


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National Registry of Certified Medical Margaret Bartley, APN MH Examiners (NRCME) Margaret Corcoran, R.N., APN-C MH

Nursing Informatics (RN-BC) Patricia Durski, MSN, RN-BC recert MH

Nursing Professional Development Wendy Mancini, MSN, RN-BC, CNS, NE-BC recert MH (RN-BC)

Oncology Nursing Certification (OCN) Jennifer Ambar, R.N., OCN SOMC Barbara Bosch, R.N., CMSRN, OCN recert SOMC Beth Castrovilly, BS, R.N., OCN recert SOMC Joan Deckman, R.N., OCN recert SOMC Debbie Favire, R.N., OCN recert OMC Jane Masick, R.N., OCN SOMC Elizabeth Martinez, MSN, R.N, OCN recert SOMC

Psychiatric Nurse Certification Elizabeth Rotchford, MA, RN-BC recert JSUMC (RN-BC) Julia Tooker, RN-BC recert JSUMC

Resident Assessment Coordinator Eileen Kamvissis, R.N., RAC-CT BHCC Certified (RAC-CT) Sandra Masino-Kalinowski, BSN, R.N., RAC-CT BHCC Gail Waldron, R.N., RAC-CT BHCC

Wound Care Certified (WCC) Mary Cohen, R.N., WCC recert MNRW Lorrie Cottrell, LPN MNRW

Certifications


Learning Opportunities Abound for Our Student Nurse Externs

For more than a decade, Meridian Health has sponsored a summer Student Nurse Externship through the Corporate Nursing Council and the Ann May Center. Nursing students preparing to enter their senior year of a BSN program are eligible. The 10-week externship program offers nursing students an opportunity to earn while learning at one of our five Meridian hospitals. Students are oriented and provided training in select skills such as 12 Lead EKG and Venipuncture. Under the direction of a registered nurse preceptor, student nurses practice clinical skills and gain confidence in the acute care environment, regularly meet to share experiences, and learn a variety of educational topics presented by guest speakers.

Students from colleges and universities throughout the Northeast have been accepted into the program, and close to 30 participate annually. Beyond the externship, Meridian also offers our nurse externs the opportunity to continue to work in the acute care environment as per diem patient care associates while they complete their degrees. Many of our externs start as registered nurse at Meridian and continue to develop their professional careers here as well..

In Their Own Words

The program is making a big impact. Below are just a few of the comments we have received from our participants:

“ Loved it. This program helped me feel more comfortable and confident. I learned more than I have in my school experiences.”

“ This program was such a wonderful experience and I am very grateful to be part of it. I learned so much and am confident returning to school in the fall.”

“ The externship was a great experience. I was allowed to have experiences I would not have had in the clinical setting of school. I would recommend this program to others.”

“ I had a really rewarding experience due to the externship! I feel like I applied all my knowledge I learned in the classroom and actually got to apply it in a clinical setting! I feel like the externship really put me ahead of the game because I gained so much more knowledge and experience than I would have from just clinical at school.”

“ I feel like this summer extern program has really helped integrate my learning from school into real life situations at the hospital. I feel much more confident in myself and feel ready to start my senior year. ”

“ This was a wonderful learning experience. I learned so much this summer and my confidence increased dramatically. I enjoyed working in CCU and think that will be my specialty of choice when I graduate. My preceptor was excellent and the entire unit was receptive to the externship program. Thank you so much for this opportunity.”


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Professional Organizations

Collaboration, interaction with peers, and leadership skill development are all fundamental to advancing the nursing profession.

Bruce Alston, MSN, MBA, RN-BC, PCCN SOMC Secretary, SOMC Research Council

Molly Berkowitz, R.N., MSN JSUMC Vice Chair, Basic Life Support (BLS) Subcommittee of EMS Advisory Board to the NJ Dept of Health Injury; Prevention Coordinator, NJ State Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMS-C) Committee; Vice Chair, Neptune Township Early Childhood Education Advisory Board

Rocel Besa, Ph.D., MSN, BSN, RN-BC RMC PRO, Philippine Nurses’ Association - Monmouth Subchapter

Jane Bliss-Holtz, DNSc, RN-BC MH Manuscript reviewer, Nursing Research

Barbara Bosch, R.N., CMSRN, OCN SOMC Vice President, HPAE Local 5138

Lynne Bottge, RN-BC JSUMC Co-Chair, Professional Practice Committee at Jersey Shore University Medical Center

Jennifer Bradle, MSN, APRN-CNS RMC Editorial Advisory Board, Nursing & Women’s Health; Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric & Neonatal Nursing (AWHONN)

Nicholas Cardinale, R.N., CRNI RMC Editorial Review Board, Journal of Nursing, Infusion Nurse’s Society

Christine Conner, APN, R.N., OMC President, American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), CCRN, CCNS Jersey Shoreline Chapter

Patricia Durski, MSN, RN-BC MH Co-chair, Technical Website Committee

Jacqueline Dwyer, MSN, CNRN JSUMC Corresponding Secretary, New Jersey Stroke Consortium

Janet Edinger, BSN, R.N., CEN, CPEN SOMC Pediatric Leader Champion, Strategic Planning Commission; Member, NJ State Emergency Nurses Association (ENA); Member, American Nurses Association (ANA); Member, Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN); Member, SOMC Research Committee

Conrad Ehrig, MSN, RN-BC JSUMC Member, Nurse Practice Council

Evelyn Ferguson, BS, R.N., OCN, ONC OMC Secretary and Board Member, Oncology Nursing Society, Central New Jersey Chapter

Carolyn Fernandez, MSN, R.N., JSUMC Membership Chairperson, American Association of APRN-BC, CCRN, CEN Critical-Care Nurses (AACN), Jersey Shoreline Chapter

Lisa Guinta, MSN, RN-BC MH Membership Committee, NJ ONE

Linda Hassler, MS, R.N., GCNS-BC, FNGNA MH Board of Directors, National Gerontological Nurses Association

Amanda Hessels, MSN, MPH, MH President, Northern New Jersey Association for Professionals RN, CIC, CPHQ in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC)

Professional Organizations

MaryBeth Hultz, LPN, CUA SOMC Member, National Catholic Nurses Association

Marcie Jannetti, BSN, R.N., CNOR MH Past Chair, Abdominal/Pelvic and Minimally Invasive Surgery Specialty Assembly, Association of Perioperative Registered Nurses (AORN); Membership Chair, AORN Chapter 3014

Sharon Jones, MS, RN-BC, CCRN OMC Education Committee Chair, American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN), Jersey Shoreline Chapter; Chapter Awards Review Panel, AACN, Jersey Shoreline Chapter

Janet Lawrence, BSN, R.N. JSUMC Financial Secretary, Concerned Black Nurses of Central NJ

Patricia Lucarelli, MSN, RN-BC, JSUMC Vice President, National Association of Pediatric Nurse APN, CPNP, PMHS Practitioners Foundation; Chair, Pediatric Health Care Home Special Interest Group, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; Chair, Ready, Set, Grow Editorial Board, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners

Elizabeth Margl, BSN, RN-BC, CGRN OMC President Elect SGNA, Region 67, Ocean-Monmouth, NJ; Newsletter Editor, SGNA, Region 67, Ocean-Monmouth, NJ

Elizabeth Martinez, MSN, R.N., OCN SOMC Nominating Chair, Oncology Nursing Society, Central NJ; Newsletter Editor, Oncology Nursing Society, Central NJ

Mary Ellen Matthews, BSN, BA, R.N., CCRN SOMC Ambassador, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)

Maureen O’Brien, MSN, R.N., SOMC Treasurer, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, CCRN, ACNS-BC Jersey Shoreline Chapter

Grace Reilly, MSN, APN, R.N. OMC Founder and Co-Chair, NJ Nursing Legislation Grassroots Committee; Board of Directors, New Jersey State Nurses Association; State Representative, American Association of Nurse Practitioners; Congress on Policy and Practice, New Jersey State Nurses Association; Steering Committee for Joint Protocol, New Jersey State Nurses Association

Diane Resnick, MPA, RN-BC JSUMC Chairperson, Leadership Special Interest Group, American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing

Elizabeth Rotchford, MA, RN-BC JSUMC Vice President, Board of Directors, Child Care Resources

Kathleen Russell-Babin, Ph.D., R.N., MH Board Member, ONE NJ NEA-BC, ACNS-BC

Marvin Sauerhoff, BSN, RN-BC, CALA JSUMC Treasurer, New Jersey State Nurses Association, Region 3 (Essex and Union County)

Cindy Stagg, R.N., CGRN SOMC President Elect, Local SGNA, Region 67

Kathleen Whalen, BSN, RN-BC, CCRN, CMC SOMC President, HPAE

Teri Wurmser, Ph.D., MPH, R.N., NEA-BC MH Editorial Board Member, Nursing Management; Education Committee Member, American Organization of Nurse Executives


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New Knowledge, Innovations, and Improvements

Advancing Education through the Ann May Center for Nursing and Allied Health

The Ann May Center nurse scientists, program managers, advanced practice nurses, and business coordinator/associates support Meridian Health nurses and allied health staff across all campuses to advance their educational levels through scholarship support, counseling, and mentoring; to conduct research, evidence-based practice, and quality improvement projects; and to recognize team member expertise and accomplishments through programs such as the C.A.R.E. Program and internal awards. The Center also writes and administers grants to support professional practice. To advance Meridian Health’s academic vision, educational affiliations are developed and maintained and student placement in a variety of disciplines is supported. The Center administers the Georgian Court-Meridian Health Baccalaureate School of Nursing Program at Georgian Court University, including faculty recruitment, curriculum and course development and delivery, and student recruitment

and advisement. In 2013, 38 students graduated from the program. In addition, the Center for Experiential and Simulation Based Learning conducted multiple interdisciplinary simulation team-based training programs for nurses, medical residents, and nursing and medical students.

2013 highlights include:• Supported CMS Palliative Care Innovation Award submission• Participated in POLST implementation across the system• Held five Cultural Ambassador Programs in conjunction with the Cultural Diversity Department, including Care

of our Jewish Patients; Religious Diversity and End of Life; Effective Communication with Our Deaf Patients; The LGBTI Community Across the Lifespan; and Caring for Our Asian Indian Population

• Assisted in document preparation and submission for the Pathway to Excellence Program for Meridian Nursing and Rehab at Wall

• Conducted interviews of more than 40 health professional affiliates, including APNs and PAs, and reviewed 140 reappointment applications to the medical staff

• Awarded 236 scholarships and awards to team members totaling $273,500• Staffed and supported Nursing Research Councils on all hospital campuses• Conducted research on the impact of national certification and clinical recognition programs at Meridian

and subsequently initiated a statewide study• Conducted research on shared governance• Coordinated nine Advanced Practice Network educational events• Managed the OFFER program, including 27 team member participants and six graduates


• Coordinated a 10-week summer student nurse externship for 20 students, and an 8-week Geriatric Interdisciplinary Fellowship Training Program for eight students

• Published “Anatomy of Research,” edited by Dr. Christine Hedges and Dr. Barbara Williams with three chapters authored by Center members and two chapters by other team members

• Represented Meridian through podium and/or poster presentations at 22 regional and national meetings

• Coordinated and presented the CORE Curriculum for Specialty Scholars with 30 nurses in attendance

The Ann May Center also hosted several conferences and events. More than 200 guests attended the NICHE Meridian Ann May Center 9th Annual Evidence-Based Care of the Older Adult Conference at the Ocean Place Resort in Long Branch on June 6. Nationally and regionally known speakers presented on falls, health literacy, Alzheimer’s disease, and the LGBT older adult. There was also a faculty/educator track that included an original research presentation on nursing students’ attitudes towards older adults. Another much enjoyed aspect of the conference was our older adult focused quality, EBP, and research project poster presentations, showcasing not only Meridian Health team members but also colleagues from other health care facilities.

The 9th Annual Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Conference was held on September 20 at Branches in West Long Branch. Keynote speakers included Sean Clarke, Ph.D., R.N., FAAN, who presented, “From Nurse-Sensitive Patient Outcomes to Health Care Systems Outcomes: Making the Leap in Practice and Research,” and Elizabeth Bankert, MA, who shared, “Giving Research Participants Their Consent Education: Using the Teach Back Method in the Research Setting.” This conference also included eight oral presentations along with 27 posters presentations.

In June, more than 200 participants attended the Shared Governance, Unit Based Council Meeting. Karren Kowalski, Ph.D., R.N., NEA-BC, FAAN, president and CEO of Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence and Professor, Anita Thigpen Perry School of Nursing, Texas Tech University presented, “Igniting Leadership for Unit Based Council Chairs,” and Meridian leaders addressed health care reform, the results of our shared governance study, and our Magnet journey.


26

Research

The key to providing exceptional patient care is the continuous effort to define and implement best practices. Through research and evidence-based practice, Meridian nurses strive for the knowledge and evidence that improves outcomes and the quality of care.

Automated Cluster Detection in Hospitals Amanda Hessels, Ph.D., MPH, R.N., CIC, CPHQ MH (Meridian CO-PI); Premier, Inc., Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute and the University of California, Irvine Premier INC, sponsored by CDC Prevention Epicenters III.

A Comparison of Educational Interventions Kathleen Russell-Babin, Ph.D., R.N., MH to Impact Behavioral Intent Toward Pressure NEA-BC, ACNS-BC Ulcer Prevention Among Nurses on a Medical Surgical Unit

A Descriptive Study of Universal Point of Barbara Scarano, DNP student JSUMC of CareTesting for Early Detection of Pediatric Dyslipidemia

Certification, Clinical Advancement, Work Barbara Williams, Ph.D., R.N., APN and MH Empowerment and Engagement and Christine Hedges, Ph.D., R.N., APN Healthcare Outcomes

Comparing Generational Differences in Mary Ann Donohue, Ph.D., R.N., APN, NEA-BC JSUMC Job Satisfaction and Retention in Magnet (Meridian PI) and Laura Cima (Hackensack) Designated and Non-Magnet Hospitals

Comparing the Accuracy and Timeliness of Christine Devine, RN-BC, MSHI and JSUMC Manual and Automated Vital Signs Workflows Bill Schreiber, R.N., BSN

Development and Implementation of an Ulanda Marcus-Aiyeku, MSN, R.N. and JSUMC Interdisciplinary Plan of Care for Orthopedic Margaret DeBari, RN-BC, NE-BC, MA, MSN Patients undergoing Total Hip and Total Knee Replacement Surgery

Development of a Geriatric Organizational Teri Wurmser, Ph.D., MPH, R.N., NEA-BC MH Evaluation Profile for Post‐acute Care (Meridian PI) and Marie Boltz, R.N., Ph.D. (NYU PI)

Efficacy Between Finger Labyrinth and Conrad Ehrig, MSN, RN-BC and JSUMC Progressive Muscle Relaxation tape Betty Ann Brooks, RN-C for Anxiety

Examining Anticipated Turnover of Newly Darry Guli, MA, R.N., APN MQC Hired Nurses in a Long Term Care Setting

Factors that Contribute to and Impede Sharon Herlan, R.N. and JSUMC Exclusive Breastfeeding after Discharge Barbara Williams, Ph.D., R.N.

Research

Gauging Assistant Nurse Managers’ Michael Rupp, BSN, RN-BC JSUMC Perceptions of Charge Nurse Responsibility

Impact Concussion Pilot Study in High Virginia Carreira, DNP, R.N., APN, CCRN, FNP, CDE JSUMC School Athletes

Impact of Nurse Staffing on Patient Tara Claudio, MSN, R.N. JSUMC Re-admissions Within 30 days of Discharge

Incentive Spirometry vs. Cough and Deep Michael Rupp, BSN, RN-BC JSUMC Breathe for Respiratory Prophylaxis in Post-operative Abdominal/Thoracic Surgery Trauma Patients

Partnership for Use of Patient Activation Kathleen Russell-Babin, Ph.D., R.N., MH to Address Employee Obesity NEA-BC, ACNS-BC

Pilot Study to Asses the Self-care Abilities Bruce Alston, MSN, MBA, RN-BC, PCCN SOMC of Heart Failure Patients Discharged from a Community Hospital

POINT Study Jacqueline Dwyer, R.N., MSN, CNRN JSUMC

Shared Governance in a Barbara Williams, Ph.D., R.N., APN; Christine MH, Multi-hospital system Hedges Ph.D., R.N.; Nina Doronila, R.N.; Thomas BCH, Ringwood, R.N.; Jacoba Sheridan, R.N.; Brenda SOMC, Snow, R.N., MSN; Pattyann Hanson, R.N., MSN; OMC, Mary Brandsema, R.N., MSN; Nina Doronila, BSN, JSUMC, R.N., CGRN RMC

Sharing Health System & Academic Teri Wurmser, R.N., Ph.D. and MH Resources for Education Students and Jane Bliss-Holtz, R.N., DNSc Staff “SHARESS”


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Research

Stop CAUTI Nicole Ortiz, BSN, RN-C OMC

Techniques to Enhance Intravenous Cheryl Capetta, R.N., BSN, OCN; Marlene Navarro, SOMC, Insertion in an Infusion Center: MSN, AOCNP, OCN, ANP-BC; Barbara Lawless, BA, OMC Dry Heat vs. Standard Therapies RN-BC, OCN; Jane Masick, R.N., OCN; Beth Castrovilly, R.N., OCN, BS; Patricia Weber, RNC, ONC; Barbara Bosch, R.N., CMSRN, OCN; Jennifer Ambar, R.N., OCN; Joan Deckman, R.N., OCN; Diane Czeczuga RN-C, OCN; Messilina Dy, R.N., OCN

The Relationship of Hospitalized Elders’ Linda Hassler, R.N., MS, GCNS-BC (Meridian PI) and OMC Perceptions of Nurse Caring Behaviors, Type Marlene Dey, MSN, APN (Rutgers University, CON) of Care Unit, Satisfaction with Care, and the Health Outcome of Functional Status.

Trauma Falls Registry BCH

Undernutrition in Hospitalized Older Adults Rhodora Barretto, MSN, R.N., GNP-BC OMC

Understanding the Educational Experience Dolores Dzubaty, Ph.D., MSN, RNC-OB OMC of the Baccalaureate Nursing Student with English as an Additional Language

Work Empowerment and Engagement: Christine Hedges, R.N., Ph.D. and MH Is There a Difference Between Certified Barbara Williams, R.N., Ph.D. and Non-Certified Nurses?

Publications

The nursing profession only benefits from the sharing of medical knowledge. Meridian nurses help advance the profession by contributing extensively to many publications.

Jennifer Bradle, MSN, APRN-CNS RMC Bradle, J.B. (2013). A View From the Bed. Nursing and Women’s Health,17(6). pp.547-548.

Jane Bliss-Holtz, DNSc, RN-BC MH Bliss-Holtz, J. (in press). From Idea to Research Question to Hypothesis. In Anatomy of Research for Nurses: A Practical Approach. C. Hedges & B.J. Williams (Eds.). Indianapolis, IN: Sigma Theta Tau International.

Bliss-Holtz, J. (in press). Research, the Internet and Social Media: Powerful Resource or Perilous Endeavor? In Anatomy of Research for Nurses: A Practical Approach. C. Hedges & B.J. Williams (Eds.). Indianapolis, IN: Sigma Theta Tau International.

Joan Harvey, DNP, R.N., CCRN OMC Harvey, Joan E. (2013). Nurses’ Perceptions of Nursing Handoffs at the Bedside. In: Holly C. Scholarly Inquiry for Advanced Nursing Practice. NY: Springer.

Linda Hassler, MS, R.N., GCNS-BC, FNGNA MH Co-author, Chapter 26, Culture, Spiritual Awareness, and Culture Change, MaryAnne Pietraniec Shannon, Ph.D., R.N., GCNS-BC and Linda J. Hassler, R.N., MS, GCNS-BC, FNGNA, in Gerontological Nursing Competencies for Care, third edition, Jones and Bartlett.

Amanda Hessels, MSN, MPH, R.N., CIC, CPHQ MH Poster Presentation: “A Partnership for Prevention: Nursing Quality Excellence and Infection Prevention,” at APIC International 40th Conference. (AJIC: American Journal of Infection Control Volume 41, Issue 6, Supplement, Pages S106-S107, June 2013).

Marcie Jannetti, BSN, R.N., CNOR MH “Incorporating Clinical Decision Support into EHRs,” AORN Journal, October 2013

Patricia Lucarelli, MSN, RN-BC, APN, JSUMC Reviewer, Model Child Care Health Policies, 5th Edition CPNP, PMHS (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2013)

Ulanda Marcus-Aiyeku, MSN, R.N. JSUMC Brooklyn Diva (2013). Journal of Creative Nursing 19 (1), 47-49.

Helen Miley, Ph.D., R.N., AG-ACNP, CCRN MH Incentive Spirometry in Postoperative Abdominal/ Thoracic CCRN Surgery Patients. AACN Advanced Clinical Care 24(3), 255-63. with Michael Rupp, R.N. and Kathleen Russell-Babin.

Assessment for Patients Who Can’t Self-Report Pain. American Journal of Critical Care (AM J CRIT CARE), 2013 May 22 (3): 187.


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Publications

Implementing the best available evidence in early delirium identification in elderly hip surgery patients. International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare (INT J EVID BASED HEALTHC), 2013 Mar; 11 (1): 39-45. with Kathleen Russell-Babin.

Diane Resnick, MPA, RN-BC JSUMC Chapter Reviewer “Transcultural Nursing” American Academy of Nursing Core Curriculum, 2013

Michael Rupp, BSN, RN-BC JSUMC “Incentive Spirometry in Postoperative Abdominal/ Thoracic Surgery Patients,” American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) Advanced Critical Care, July-September 2013 Issue

Kathleen Russell-Babin, Ph.D., R.N, MH Russell-Babin, K., & Miley, M. (2013). Implementing the NEA-BC, ACNS-BC best available evidence in early delirium identification in elderly hip surgery patients. International Journal of Evidence-Based Healthcare, 11, 39-56.

Rupp, M., Miley, H., & Russell-Babin, K. (2013). Incentive S pirometry in Post-Operative Abdominal/ Thoracic Surgery Patients. AACN Advanced Critical Care, 24(3), 255-263.

Judith Slover-Zipf, DNP, MSN, JSUMC Peer Reviewer, American Journal of Nursing ANP-BC, ADM-BC, CDE


An Interdisciplinary Approach to Patient-Centered Care

The Meridian Health Institute for Evidence-Based Care continued its trend in providing high quality education to health care professionals across the system in 2013. Five Webinars carrying nursing and medical continuing education credits were produced in 2013:

• Home Care Today• Medication Adherence• Motivational Interviewing• Heart Failure Update 2013• POLST

In addition, more than 120 guests attended the annual regional conference, Knowledge in Motion: Evidence-Based Care—Getting to the Root of it All!, on April 26, 2013 at the Oyster Point Hotel in Red Bank. Evaluations were very favorable, and included feedback like, “This was one of the best conferences ever!”, “Speakers were excellent”, and “Excellent. Fantastic. Speakers with topics relevant to all of our practices.”

Four Eye on Evidence newsletters were published in 2013:• CRE• Annual Conference Highlights• Tracheostomy care; Beers criteria; Updates from the EBN Scholars • COPD Update (2013 GOLD guidelines)

The Institute for Evidence-Based Care, the Palliative Care team, and the Ann May Center focused their 2013 energies on comprehensive work in implementing Physician Orders for Life Sustaining Treatment (POLST) systemwide. This team developed policy, and created mandatory education and awareness. The Institute also coordinated a Webinar with supporting evidence on POLST. The Institute continues to work toward hard-wiring POLST documentation into the information system, and provides monthly performance improvement data to the committee on compliance to documentation parameters set for the inpatient care areas of Meridian.

In addition to strategically required COPD, diabetes, and heart failure evidence reviews, the following sample evidence reviews were completed in 2013:

• Ultrasound guidance for central lines reported to Jersey Shore leadership and the CEC for medical action planning• Ultrasound guidance for difficult to access peripheral IV lines (completed with EBN Scholar L. Buenvenida), a nursing

evidence-based scholar project in process of implementation in Jersey Shore’s Emergency Department• Tracheostomy nursing care evidence review completed; changes in policies and support approved through the

Nursing Professional Practice groups throughout the system• Massage for agitation in demented patients (completed with EBN Scholar R. Santiago), a nursing evidence-based

scholar project at Jersey Shore • Under padding relationships to pressure ulcers-reported to the system Pressure Ulcer Committee and Nurse

Executive Committee. The results were used to change pad purchasing decisions throughout the system.


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Meridian nurses share research findings and other medical information with audiences throughout the state, the nation, and the world.

David Arnold, MSN, R.N. MH “Preparing Your Practice for Patient-Centered Medical Home,” 6th Annual Meridian Health Ambulatory Care Nursing Conference: Enhancing the Ripples of Transitions Along the Continuum

Rhodora Barretto, MSN, OMC “Prevalence and Predictors of Undernutrition in Hospitalized Older R.N., GNP-BC Adults,” Meridian Health’s Ann May Center 9th Nursing Research and EBP Conference, Long Branch, NJ

Donna Bator, R.N., CPN OMC Presenter, “Technology and Sleep Disturbances in the Adolescent Patient,” New Knowledge Conference

Ann Marie Benson, BSN, RNC-OB SOMC Lecturer, Child Birth Education Classes

Molly Berkowitz, R.N., MSN JSUMC Testified before the New Jersey State Senate and New Jersey State Assembly in support of the proposed EMS Redesign legislation; Seasonal and Disaster Preparedness, Community at Large; Disaster Preparedness Tabletop Exercise, Nursing Students at Georgian Court College; Drinking and Distracted Driving Prevention, 27 Area High Schools; An Ounce of Prevention; Protecting the Airway of the Injured Athlete, Shore Area Athletic Trainers Assn; Concussion Education for School Nurses; Trauma Triage and Transport; International Trauma Life Support; Bicycle Safety Rodeos; Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury Severe Traumatic Brain Injury; Child Passenger Safety Initial Technician Certification

Presentations

Presentations

Rocel Besa, Ph.D., MSN, BSN RMC Presenter, “Theory Building by Evidence-Based Nursing,” Angeles University Foundation, Philippines; “ABC of Health Assessment,” Angeles University Medical Center, Philippines

Jane Bliss-Holtz, DNSc, RN-BC MH Podium Presenter, “Nursing Research in Retrospective: In Search of the ‘So What’ Factor,” Annual Meridian Health Nursing Research Day, Long Branch, NJ; Podium and Poster Presenter, “Incorporating Quality Improvement Projects into a BSN Program.” with T. Wurmser, University of Texas Health Science Center Summer Institute on Evidence-Based Practice EBP Educators Workshop, Second Place, Poster Competition, San Antonio, TX; Poster Presenter, “The ‘SHARESS’ (Sharing Health System and Academic Resources for Educating Students and Staff) Project.” with T. Wurmser, University of Texas Health Science Center Summer Institute on Evidence-Based Practice EBP Educators Workshop, San Antonio, TX; Poster Presenter, “The ‘SHARESS’ (Sharing Health System and Academic Resources for Educating Students and Staff) Project.” with T. Wurmser, Meridian Health Research Day, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ; Podium Presenter, “The ‘SHARESS’ (Sharing Health System and Academic Resources for Educating Students and Staff) Project.” with T. Wurmser, Innovations in Clinical Education Conference, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Princeton, NJ

Barbara Boyler, BSN, RN-BC JSUMC Podium Presenter, “Transfer of Information to increase communication from Long Term Care,” NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ; Poster Presenter, “Transferring Elderly Patient to Hospital,” Specialty Scholar Forum, Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, NJ; Poster Presenter, “Increasing Communication with Long Term Care Facilities”; Project Leader, NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ with Jennifer Escanlon, BSN and Leslie Eaton, R.N.

Virginia Carreira, DNP, R.N., JSUMC CPR Trainer, Community Members APN, CCRN, FNP, CDE

Donna Ciufo, DNP, R.N., SOMC Podium Presenter, “Developing the Leader Within,” Organization of FNP-BC, CCRN, NE-BC Nurse Executives of New Jersey Conference, NJHA Conference and Event Center, Princeton, NJ

Tara Claudio, MSN, R.N. MH Presenter, McKesson User Conference, “SUCCESS STORY: e-Shift Rules, Reports, Workflow” and “SUCCESS STORY: Personnel Module”

Mary Cohen, R.N., WCC MNRW Poster Presenter and Lecturer, Clinical Ladder Project, DON retreat

Andrea Crate, RN-BC OMC Poster Presenter, “COPD and the Older Adult,” Geriatric Clinical Scholar, NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ; Poster Presenter, “COPD and the Older Adult,” Specialty Scholar Forum, Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, NJ


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Presentations

Marybeth Cruikshank, OMC Poster Presenter, “Advance Directives-Guidelines for Healthcare BSN, RN-BC Professionals, Patients, and their Families,” Geriatric Clinical Scholar, NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ; Poster Presenter, “Advance Directives,” Specialty Scholar Forum, Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, NJ

Karen Daly, BSN, R.N. BCH Lecturer, “Pacemakers” Critical Care Nursing Course, Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel, NJ

Jacqueline Decker, BSN, R.N. MNRW Poster Presenter, “Raising the Bar: ‘Pathway to Excellence’ Journey,” NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ with Deirdre Monaco, RN-BC and Erin Wood, BSN, R.N.

Jennifer Dember, R.N. RMC Presenter, Chest Pain Committee, Chest Pain Certification, Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, NJ

Emily Demitchik, RN-BC JSUMC Poster Presenter, “Quality Improvements for the Safety Zone,” Geriatric Clinical Scholar, NICHE Conference, Ocean Place, Long Branch, NJ

Suzan Dolak, R.N., CPAN OMC “Creating a Serene Environment in PACU,” Poster Speaker, NICHE National Conference, Philadelphia, PA; Presenter, Geriatric Clinical Scholar Summit, Ocean Medical Center, Brick, NJ; and Poster and Podium Presenter, NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ with Traci Glasgow, RN-BC

Patricia Durski, MSN, RN-BC MH Presenter, “Meaningful Use and How it Applies to Nursing Informatics,” Delaware Valley Nursing Computer Network (DVNCN)

Jane Drucker, RN-BC RMC Poster and Podium Presenter, “Implementation of Edmonson Psychiatric Fall Risk Assessment Tool,” Geriatric Clinical Scholar, NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ with Julia Desanto-Tooker, RN-BC

Jacqueline Dwyer, MSN, CNRN JSUMC Presenter, “Anticoagulation Reversal Therapies,” NJ State Stroke Consortium

Janet Edinger, BSN, R.N., SOMC Presenter Poster, “End Tidal C02 Capnography,” SOMC and Meridian CEN, CPEN Leadership, Southern Ocean Medical Center, Manahawkin, NJ

Conrad Ehrig, MSN, RN-BC JSUMC Co-Presenter Poster with Dr. Fitzsimmons, “Charles Bonnet Syndrome,” Meridian Health Research Day, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ

Carolyn Fernandez, MSN, R.N., JSUMC Instructor, Trauma Nursing Core Course (TNCC), Nursing Professionals APRN-BC, CCRN, CEN at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ

Marianne Franovic, R.N., CGRN SOMC Capstone Presenter, “Open Access Colonoscopy,” BSN Program Forum

Traci Glasgow, RN-BC OMC Poster and Podium Presenter, “Creating a Serene Environment in PACU,” NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ with Sue Dolak, RN-BC

Lisa Guinta, MSN, RN-BC MH Presenter, “Magnet Review Re-Energizing Shared Governance,” Meridian Health Unit Based Council Chairs, Long Branch, NJ

Presentations

Christine Hader, DNP, RN-BC, MH Poster Presentations with Kris Monia, “Review of Ongoing Resources CPAN, CCRN Needed for Educational Simulations,” Nursing Management Congress 2013. Chicago, IL and Meridian Health Research Day, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ

Joan Harvey, DNP, R.N., CCRN OMC Poster Presentation, “A Case Study: Implementation of Bedside Report,” Nursing Management Conference, Chicago, IL. October 2013

Linda Hassler, MS, R.N., MH Podium Presenter with C. Darryl Hughes, BS, “Ethnogeriatric Care at the BC, GCNS-FNGNA Bedside: Cultural Ambassadors at Meridian Health,” NGNA Clearwater, FL and DiversityRx, San Francisco, CA; Podium Presenter with Vicki DeNoia, APN, “Caring for the Frail and Elderly-The Virtual Dementia Tour,” New Jersey Hospital Association Health Research & Educational Trust of New Jersey, Princeton, NJ; Podium Presenter, “Implementing Long Term Care Advisory Standards for Alzheimer’s/Dementia Program at the Lighthouse, Brick, NJ,” NYU NICHE Conference, Philadelphia, PA; Poster Presenter, “Implementing Long Term Care Advisory Standards for an Alzheimer’s/Dementia Program at the Lighthouse,” with Maggie Ciocco, MS, R.N., BC, CDP, Care One at Wall

Patricia Hessinger, RN-BC, CDP BCH Poster Presenter, “Foley Catheters Are Not an Accessory! Stop Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infections,” Geriatric Clinical Scholar, NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ

Amanda Hessels, MSN, MPH, MH Podium Presentation, “Impact of Health Information Technology on R.N., CIC, CPHQ the Delivery and Quality of Patient Care,” 31st Annual Rutgers Interprofessional International Technology Conference, Atlantic City, NJ; Podium Presentation, “Interprofessional Use of Technology to Promote Quality and Safety in Healthcare Education and Practice,” 31st Annual Rutgers Interprofessional International Technology Conference, Atlantic City, NJ; Podium Presentation, “On the CUSP: Stop CAUTI at the Front Door-The Emergency Department...Who Will Be The Next Patient Harmed?” New Jersey Hospital Association, Princeton, NJ; Podium Presentation, “Barriers and Strategies to Improve Infection Prevention Certification: Survey Results,” Association for Professionals in Infection Control, Northern New Jersey (APIC-NNJ), Montclair, NJ; Podium Presentation, “Improving Certification: Results of a NJ Initiative Lessons for National,” APIC National 40th Conference, Leadership Meeting, Fort Lauderdale, FL; Poster Presentation, “A Partnership for Prevention: Nursing Quality Excellence and Infection Prevention,” APIC International 40th Conference, Fort Lauderdale, FL; Poster Presentation, “Impact of Health Information Technology on Delivery and Quality of Patient Care,” Sigma Theta Tau 42nd Bi-Annual Convention, Indianapolis, IN

Leslie Kellogg, BSN, R.N., RMC Poster Presenter, “Use of the BEERS List in the Hospitalized Patient,” CMSRN, BC Geriatric Clinical Scholar, NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ; Poster Presenter, “BEERS List,” Specialty Scholar Forum, Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, NJ


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Presentations

Patricia Lucarelli, MSN, JSUMC “Implementation of Evidence-Based Asthma Guidelines in a Pediatric RN-BC, APN, CPNP, PMHS Primary Care Clinic,” NJSNA Annual Conference; “Implementation of Evidence-Based Asthma Guidelines,” National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP) Annual Conference; “Quality Measures in PNP Practice,” NAPNAP Annual Conference; “Pediatric Physical Assessment for School Nurses,” NJ State School Nurses Association Annual Conference; “The Spit Stops Here - Infectious Disease Update,” NJ State School Nurses Association Annual Conference

Ulanda Marcus-Aiyeku, JSUMC “Stress, Coping and Adaption for Nurses in a Recovery and Monitoring MSN, R.N. Program,” New Jersey Nursing Students Inc, Annual Convention; “The Role of Mentors in Career Advancement,” Leadership Institute for Black Nurses, New York University

Elizabeth Martinez, MSN, SOMC “Oncology Nurse Navigation,” Holly Auxiliary Annual Hospital Luncheon, R.N., OCN Southern Ocean Medical Center, Manahawkin, NJ; “Cancer Care Accreditation and Role of the Nurse Navigator,” SOCHE Auxiliary Luncheon, Southern Ocean Medical Center, Manahawkin, NJ; “Cancer Care Accreditation and Role of the Nurse Navigator,” Laurel Auxiliary Luncheon, Southern Ocean Medical Center, Manahawkin, NJ; “The Role of Nurse Navigation,” Heritage Bay, Manahawkin, NJ; “The Role of Nurse Navigation,” Skipperette’s, Waretown, NJ

Presentations

Kathleen Martin, MSW, OMC Lecturer, “Woman to Woman-What’s New in Breast Health,” Komen LSW, RN-BC Breast Health, Westlake Mews Community Center, Jackson, NJ; Good Shepherd Church Women’s Group, Point Pleasant, NJ; Brick Twp Housing Authority Fried Apartments, Brick Twp, NJ; Brick Twp Chambersbridge Apartments, Brick Twp, NJ; Brick Twp Forge Pond Apartments, Brick Twp, NJ; Toms River Library Community, Toms River, NJ; Knights of Columbus Women’s Auxiliary, Toms River, NJ

Rosemary McCabe, DNP, JSUMC Presenter, “Advance Disease Specific Certification-Diabetes,” APN, BC, CDE Advanced Practice Nurse Network, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ; Presenter, “Advance Disease Specific Certification-Diabetes,” Dept. of Medicine Business Meeting, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ

Cynthia McCarthy, RN-BC, PCCN SOMC Poster and Podium Presenter, “Fall Below the Mean,” Geriatric Clinical Scholar, NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ with Hilary Reiser, BS, RN-BC, PCCN

Joyce McKeever, MS, R.N., JSUMC Presenter, “Journey to Baby-Friendly Display,” NJ LeLeche League IBCLC, LCCE Annual Conference, Jamesburg, NJ; Webinar Presenter, “Achieving Baby-Friendly Status,” International Lactation Consultant Association; Webinar Presenter, “Implementing the Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding,” Leadership Session, National Institute of Child Health and Quality; Electronic Health Record Expert Panel, Develop best practice guide for implementation of Newborn Exclusive Breast Milk Feeding in the Medical Record per the JCAHO Perinatal Care Core Measures, Center for Disease Control and the United States Breastfeeding Committee

Linda Mertz, MBA, BSN, RN-BC BCH Podium Presenter, “Bottoms Up! The Merry Go Round of Rounding,” NICHE Conference, Ocean Place Resort, Long Branch, NJ with Patty Walker, R.N.; Poster Presenter, “Bottoms Up! Reducing Falls One Step at a Time,” Geriatric Clinical Scholar, NICHE Conference, Ocean Place Resort, Long Branch, NJ; Poster Presenter, “From the Bottom Up,” Specialty Scholar Forum, Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, NJ; Poster Presenter, “Bottoms Up! Fall Prevention, “National Gerontological Nurses Association Conference, Clearwater, FL

Helen Miley, Ph.D., R.N., MH Presenter, “Is there an APN in the house?” IBEC Conference; AG-ACNP, CCRN Presenter, “Show me the Evidence,” National Teaching Institute, American Association of Critical Care Nurses, Boston, MA

Deirdre Monaco, RN-BC MNRW Poster Presenter, “Raising the Bar: ‘Pathway to Excellence’ Journey,” NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ with Jacqueline Decker, BSN,R.N. and Erin Wood, BSN, R.N.


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Presentations

Kristine Monia, DNP, R.N., CEN MH Poster Presentation with Christine Hader, “Review of Ongoing Resources Needed for Educational Simulations,” First Place Prize Winner, Nursing Management Congress 2013, Chicago, IL; Poster Presentation with Christine Hader, “Review of Ongoing Resources Needed for Educational Simulations,” Meridian Health Research Day, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ

Mary Peled, BSN, R.N., CPN OMC Poster Presenter, “Autism, I Can Handle It,” Meridian Ann May Center Ninth Annual Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Day, West Long Branch, NJ

Grace Reilly, MSN, APN, R.N. OMC Presenter, “Policy, POLST and Palliative Care,” Annual Meridian Med-Surg Conference; Presenter, “What you need to know about Nursing Policy and Practice in NJ,” Rutgers-The State University of NJ; Presenter, Ongoing lectures and presentations to various Nursing Organizations, Hospitals and Schools of Nursing, the Forum of Nurses in NJ (FNAP) on NJ Nursing Legislation

Hilary Reiser, BS, RN-BC, PCCN SOMC Poster Presenter, “Fall Below the Mean,” Geriatric Clinical Scholars, NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ with Cynthia McCarthy, RN-BC, PCCN; Poster Presenter, “Fall Below the Mean,” Specialty Scholar Forum, Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, NJ

Diane Resnick, MPA, RN-BC JSUMC Organizer and Presenter, “Healthcare.Gov and the Marketplace Access,” “Enhancing the Ripples of Transitions Across the Continuum,” 6th Annual Ambulatory Nursing Conference, Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, NJ

Donna Ruggiero, R.N. JSUMC Poster Presenter, “Nurses’ Perceptions of Barriers to Providing Optimal End-of-Life Care in the Critical Care Setting,” Nursing Research Scholar, NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ with Cathy Schlick, BSN, RN-BC

Michael Rupp, BSN, RN-BC JSUMC Presenter, “Gauging Assistant Nurse Managers’ Perceptions of Charge Nurse Responsibility,” Meridian Ann May Center Ninth Annual Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Day, West Long Branch, NJ

Enid Russell, RN-BC OMC Poster Presenter, “I’m Confused! Is It Delirium or Dementia?” Geriatric Clinical Scholar, NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ

Kathleen Russell-Babin, Ph.D., MH Presenter, “The Never-Ending Story: Evidence Review in Today’s Health R.N., NEA-BC, ACNS-BC Care System,” Knowledge in Motion: Evidence-Based Care-Getting to the Root of it All! Conference, Meridian Health Institute for Evidence-Based Care, Red Bank, NJ; Presenter, “Providing Leadership to Bedside Innovation through Evidence-Based Practice,” Nursing Management Congress, Chicago, IL (preconference workshop); Presenter, “Exploring Attitudes on Pressure Ulcer Prevention,” Meridian Ann May Center Ninth Annual Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Day, West Long Branch, NJ; Poster Presenter, “Massage for Agitation in Dementia, by

Presentations

Roxanna Santiago, Kathleen Russell-Babin, Linda Hassler and Mani Paliwal,” Meridian Ann May Center Ninth Annual Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Day, West Long Branch, NJ; Presenter, “Improving Surgical Safety and Patient Outcomes: Emphasis on Delirium,” NJHA Improving Surgical Safety and Patient Outcomes Conference; Presenter, “A Comparison of Educational Interventions to Impact Behavioral Intent toward Pressure Ulcer Prevention Among Nurses on Medical-Surgical Units,” Meridian APN Forum

Eleanor Ruzzo, BSN, R.N., CNOR SOMC Presenter, “Reducing Rehospitalization of CHF Patients with the Use of Telehealth Monitoring and a Multidisciplinary Approach,” with Carolyn Andrade, R.N. and Carla Walls, R.N., Kean University Nursing Research Day, Kean University at Ocean County Community College, Toms River, NJ

Cathy Schlick, BSN, RN-BC JSUMC Poster Presenter, “Nurses’ Perceptions of Barriers to Providing Optimal End-of-Life Care in the Critical Care Setting,” Nursing Research Scholar, NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ with Donna Ruggiero, R.N.

Denise Schwartz, BSN, RN-BC BCH Presenter, “The Katz Index: What Can it Do for You?” NICHE Conference, Philadelphia, PA and NGNA Conference, Clearwater, FL; Presenter, “The Katz Index” Webinar for NICHE; Poster Presenter, “The Katz Index: What Can it Do for You?” First Place Poster Award, NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ

Sharon Scrofine, BSN, R.N., CEN OMC Poster Presenter, “Emergency Department Throughput: Barriers Effecting the Entire System,” Kean University; Presenter, “Emergency Department Throughput: Barriers Effecting the Entire System,” Meridian Health Research Day, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ

Shirley Shook, MSN, RN-BC, BCH Presenter, “Explaining Stroke,” Bayshore Community Hospital, Holmdel, NJ; CCRN, NVRN-BC Presenter, “Stroke: An Olio of Information,” Monmouth-Ocean Chapter of AAPC (American Association Physician Coders), Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ; Presenter, “Stroke,” Meridian Fitness and Wellness, Hazlet, NJ; Presenter, “Stroke: From Symptoms to Treatment,” Annual Symposium NJ Health Information Management Association, Atlantic City, NJ; Presenter, “Explaining Stroke,” Community Bible Fellowship Church, Cliffwood, NJ

Judith Slover-Zipf, DNP, MSN, JSUMC Presenter, “Managing Diabetes through Monitoring and ANP-BC, ADM-BC, CDE Medications,” Neptune Senior Community Center, Neptune, NJ

Julia Tooker, RN-BC JSUMC Poster and Podium Presenter, “Implementation of Edmonson Psychiatric Fall Risk Assessment Tool,” Nursing Quality Scholar C.A.R.E. Project, NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ with Jane Drucker, RN-BC


40

Presentations

Maria G. Torres, RNC OMC Poster Presenter, “Compliance in Charting of Pressure Ulcer and Integumentary Chapters of Admission,” NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ; Poster Presenter, “Compliance in Documenting Pressure Ulcers,” Specialty Scholar Forum, Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, NJ

Rodica Vasilescu, MSN, BCH Poster Presenter, “The Correlation Between Sleep Disorders and APN-C, GNP-C Cardiac Diseases in Older Adult in the Hospital Setting,” NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ with Padmaja Eluri, PT, DPT, MS, CES

Edward Vetrecin, MSN, R.N., SOMC Presenter, “Risk of Transport off Critical Care Unit for Testing and CCRN, CEN Procedures,” Specialty Scholar Summit, Riverview Medical Center, Red Bank, NJ; Presenter, “Risk of Transport Off Critical Care Unit for Testing and Procedures,” AACN Conference, Point Pleasant, NJ

Patty Walker, RN-OCN BCH Podium Presenter, “Bottoms Up! The Merry Go Round of Rounding,” NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ with Linda Mertz, MBA, R.N.; Poster Presenter, “The Merry-Go-Round of Patient Rounding,” NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ

Nicole Whalen, LPN MNROG Poster Presenter, “Where are my Narcotics?” NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ

Erin Wood, BSN, R.N. MNRW Poster Presenter, “Raising the Bar: ‘Pathway to Excellence’ Journey,” NICHE Conference, Long Branch, NJ with Jacqueline Decker, BSN, R.N. and Deirdre Monaco, RN-BC

Teri Wurmser, Ph.D., MPH, MH Podium Presentation, “A Creative Infrastructure for Building Nurse R.N., NEA-BC Empowerment and Engagement,” ANCC National Magnet Conference, Orlando, FL; Panel Presentation, “Creating and Sustaining Research Rich Cultures in the ‘Real World’ of Nursing,” American Nurses Credentialing Center Research Symposium (Magnet Pre-Conference) Orlando, FL; Poster Presentation, “The ‘SHARESS’ (Sharing Health System and Academic Resources for Educating Students and Staff) Project,” University of Texas Health Science Center Summer Institute on Evidence- Based Practice EBP Educators Workshop, San Antonio, TX (T. Wurmser and J. Bliss-Holtz); Podium and Poster Presentation, “Incorporating Quality Improvement Projects into a BSN Program,” University of Texas Health Science Center Summer Institute on Evidence-Based Practice EBP Educators Workshop, San Antonio, TX (J. Bliss-Holtz and T. Wurmser); 2nd Place Best Poster Podium Presentation, “The ‘SHARESS’ Project,” Innovations in Clinical Education Conference, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, Princeton, NJ (T. Wurmser and J. Bliss-Holtz).

Roselyn Young, MSN, JSUMC Poster Presenter, “Perinatal Blood Pressure Measurement: A Critical RNC-OB, C-EFM Need for Accuracy,” AWHONN National Convention, Nashville, TN; Podium Presenter, “TeamSTEPPS at Jersey Shore University Medical Center,” NJHA TeamSTEPPS Training Program.

Structural Empowerment

Measuring Shared Governance

Shared governance is an integral part of nurses’ Professional Practice Model at Meridian. Periodically, nurses evaluate the implementation of the model to ensure that care remains primarily patient-centered and that the principles of Shared Governance are practiced at every level of the organization, from staff nurses to nurse executives.

Toward that end, in 2013 we conducted a study, Shared Governance in a Multi-Hospital System to measure the extent to which nurses perceived that governance at Meridian had shifted from “traditional” to “shared” at each of our five hospitals. Assessing the status of governance can provide organizations with valuable information about the extent to which nurses perceive they have influence and authority in nursing practice in their organizations. Areas in which progress has been made, areas in need of additional attention, and factors that influence the governance score may be identified. Such information can be used as a guide to further implement the principles of shared governance. We anticipated that the results of the study would provide such a guide to nurses at Meridian.

In May, an online survey was conducted using the Index of Professional Nursing Governance (IPNG) developed by Hess (1998; 2010). The IPNG, an 86-item instrument, measures the distribution of professional nursing governance in hospitals; each item is measured on a 1 to 5 scale. Aggregated scores, ranging from 86 to 430, allow classification of governance on a continuum from traditional (dominant group is nursing management/administration: 86-172) to shared (decision making shared between staff nurses and nursing management/administration: 173-344) to self governing (dominant group is staff nurse: 345-430).

Six subscales of the IPNG represent dimensions of professional governance: Personnel (who controls personnel and related structures); Information (who has access to information relevant to governance activities); Resources (who influences resources that support professional practice); Participation (who creates and participates in committee structures related to governance activities); Practice (who controls professional practice of nursing; and, Goals (who sets goals and negotiates the resolution of conflict at various organizational levels).

The results of this survey brought to light many strengths as well as opportunities for improvement in adhering to shared governance principles. We learned, for example that while the aggregated score for all five hospitals fell just below the shared governance range (168.62), the scores of several subscales fell within the shared governance range.


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Specifically, we found that the subscale scores for Information, Resources, Participation, and Goals fell well within the shared governance range, while the Personnel, Practice, and the overall Governance scores suggest traditional governance.

This means that nurses perceive that they have as much access to information such as budget and expenses, the organization’s strategic plan, and the organization’s financial status as management does. They further perceive that they have equal influence over resources that support them, such as the ability to recommend and consult other organizational resources. The results further indicate that as a whole nurses perceive that they have equal participation in the development of policies and procedures for clinical practice, in staffing; and, in collaborating with multidisciplinary groups. They perceive

that they are able to set their own goals, negotiate conflict among professionals and participate in the philosophy, goals and objectives of the department and the organization.

The results also point to areas for growth. The scores on subscales Personnel and Practice indicated that as a group nurses perceive that they would like more control over their professional practice and more input into areas such as hiring and promoting personnel, formulating budgets, and creating new positions.

As mentioned, these results reflect what nurses perceive “as a whole” throughout the organization; results varied by individual campuses. The specific campus findings were discussed at individual professional practice meetings and also presented at the system-wide shared governance retreat in which unit-based council members participated.

Action plans are underway facilitated by the Shared Governance Steering Committee. The survey will be conducted again in early 2015 to assess nurses’ perception of the extent to which shared governance is embraced at Meridian.

ReferencesHess, R.G. (1998). Measuring Nursing Governance. Nursing Research 47(1), pp 35-42Hess, R.G. (2010). The Measurement of Professional Governance: Scoring guidelines ad Benchmarks. Forum for Shared Governance: Voorhees, N.J.

Community Service and Outreach

Meridian nurses often serve as health care ambassadors and advocates in the communities in which they live and work.

Jody Abken, R.N., CCRN JSUMC Volunteer, Sandy Relief Food, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church, Bay Head, NJ

Bruce Alston, MSN, MBA, SOMC Member, Home Owners Association Finance Committee RN-BC, PCCN

Katie Belko, BSN, R.N., CEN BCH Consultant, Executive Board and R.N. Volunteer to Monroe Special Sport: Buddy Baseball, Basketball Pals, Monroe Kings and Queens Bowling

Ann Marie Benson, BSN, RNC-OB SOMC Girl Scout Leader and Vice President of Recreation, Pinelands Soccer Association

Molly Berkowitz, R.N., MSN JSUMC Training Officer, Shark River Hills First Aid Squad and Neptune Township Emergency Medical Services; Member, Neptune Township Local Emergency Planning Committee; Awards Chairperson and District Committee Member, Thunderbird District, Monmouth Council of BSA; Co-Chair, Neptune Township Move and Improve Committee

Rocel Besa, Ph.D., MSN, BSN, RN-BC RMC Volunteer, “Stroke Education,” St. Dorothea’s Parish Church Health Fair and Georgian Court University Health Fair

Jane Bliss-Holtz, DNSc, RN-BC MH President, Our Lady of Guadeloupe Discalced Carmelite (OCDS) Community

Cheryl Bontales, R.N., BSN, MSN, CSN BCH Executive Board Corresponding Secretary, Ladies Philoptochos Society; Troop Leader, Organizer, GSUSA Certified Trainer, Volunteer Support and Recognitions Chairperson, Girl Scouts of the USA; Executive Board Corresponding Secretary, Hellenic Dancers of New Jersey; Volunteer, FOODBANK of Monmouth and Ocean County

Lynne Bottge, RN-BC JSUMC Committee Member and Participant, Brick Relay for Life; Participant, Freehold Relay For Life; Participant, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

Barbara Boyler, BSN, RN-BC JSUMC Lecturer, Inservice on Aging Sensitivity of the Elderly for PCA’s in Assisted Living Facilities

Jennifer Brown, R.N., CDP JSUMC Volunteer, Surf City Fire and EMS

Joanne Kristine Bruno, RN-BC RMC Equine Massage Therapy, Celtic Charms Therapeutic Horsemanship; Photographer, Ride-A-Thon, Celtic Charms Therapeutic Horsemanship

Virginia Carreira, DNP, R.N., APN, JSUMC Volunteer, Parker Family Health Center, American Red Cross CCRN, FNP, CDE


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Vimla Christian, R.N., CNN RMC Volunteer, Salvation Army Recovery Feeding Program, Asbury Park

Christine Conner, APN, R.N., OMC Participant, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, Point CCRN, CCNS Pleasant; Volunteer, Paint the Town Pink, Ocean Medical Center

Pamela Cooper, BSN, OCN, CHPN JSUMC Volunteer, Sandy Relief, St. Mary’s by the Sea Church

Patricia Curtin, R.N., CNOR OMC Participant, Girls’ Night Out, Ocean Medical Center; Participant, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

Tricia D’Aloia Gandolfo, MSN, RN-BC RMC Chairperson, Shrewsbury Boro School Blood Drive/Health Fair, Central Jersey Blood Center; Secretary, Shrewsbury Boro Board of Health and Health Community Liaison

Vicki DeNoia, MSN, RN-BC, APN MQC Presenter, “Updates in Osteoporosis,” Meridian Community Outreach Center

Jackie Dibernardo, RN-BC, OCN, CHPN BCH Team Captain, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk

Suzan Dolak, R.N., CPAN OMC Lecturer, Career Day, Memorial Middle School, Point Pleasant; Participant, Alzheimer’s Walk; Participant, Juvenile Diabetes Walk

Jacqueline Dwyer, MSN, CNRN JSUMC Lecturer, “Stroke Education,” Monmouth County Cardiovascular Church Challenge; Lecturer, Stroke Awareness, Belmar Academy High School Charter School

Dolores Dzubaty, Ph.D., MSN, RNC-OB OMC Adult Trainer, Girl Scouts of the Jersey Shore



Janet Edinger, BSN, R.N., CEN, CPEN SOMC Nurse Volunteer, NJ Girl’s State Program, The American Legion; Volunteer/Supporter, Hurricane Sandy Relief, Volunteer, Holmdel Day and Community Theatre; Supporter, Food Banks, Habitat for Humanity, Popcorn Park Zoo

Evelyn Ferguson, BS, R.N., OCN, ONC OMC Participant, Girls’ Night Out, Ocean Medical Center

Regina Foley, MBA, MSN, FACHE OMC Elected Member, Point Pleasant Board of Education, Point Pleasant, NJ; Board Member, Dottie’s House, Brick, NJ

Kathleen Gelchion, MSN, R.N., RMC Participant, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk AOCNS-BC, CHPN

Julie George, BSN, R.N., BSW, SOMC Volunteer, Home Bound Delivery, Ocean County Library System, CCRN, CBN Stafford and Barnegat, NJ

Jill Greve-Falcone, RN-BC SOMC Volunteer, “Light it Up Blue,” Autism New Jersey

Cynthia Hand, BSN, R.N. BCH Volunteer, Health Fair, Filipino American Community of Old Bridge (FACOB) and Raritan Bay Medical Center; Volunteer/Fundraiser for Scholarships and Building Homes in the Philippines, FACOB; Treasurer, FACOB 2013-2014; Volunteer/Fundraiser/Choir Member, St. Ambrose Church

Linda Hassler, MS, R.N., MH Executive Board, First Aid Merit Badge Counselor, Monmouth GCNS-BC, FNGNA Council Boy Scouts of America; Vice President of Fund Development, Beach Sweeps (Ideal Beach) Middletown, NJ

Patricia Hessinger, RN-BC, CDP BCH Volunteer/Fundraiser, Annual Alzheimer’s Walk

Barbara Hohmann, RN-BC BCH Volunteer, The Barn, St. Mary’s Parish, New Monmouth, NJ (Supports The Lunch Break, St. Mark’s, NY)

Linda Houseal, MSN, R.N., MH Bell Choir, First Presbyterian Church, Manasquan, NJ ACNP-BC, CCRN

MaryBeth Hultz, LPN, CUA SOMC Kindergarten Religious Education Teacher, St. Theresa’s Parish, Little Egg Harbor, NJ

Barbara Lawless, BA, RN-BC, OCN SOMC Participant, Relay for Life, American Cancer Society; Volunteer, “Deck The Walls” Oncology Dept., Joseph T. Donahue Barnegat Elementary School

Janet Lawrence, BSN, R.N. JSUMC Volunteer Nurse, Health Screening for African American Day at PNC; Volunteer Nurse, Health Initiative-Concerned Black Nurses of Central NJ, Second Baptist Church, Long Branch, NJ; Co Chair/ Fundraiser, Gift Auction, Quinn Chapel AME Church, Atlantic Highlands, NJ


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Amanda Lillis, RN, C JSUMC Team Captain, Talkin’ Tummies, Take Steps for Crohn’s and Colitis

Elizabeth Margl, BSN, RN-BC, CGRN OMC GI Nurses and Associates’ Day

Elizabeth Martinez, MSN, R.N., OCN SOMC Lecturer, “Save Your Breath,” (teaching school age children) Oncology Nursing Society, Central NJ; Team Captain, Walk to Cure Diabetes, Seaside Heights, NJ

Kathleen Martin, MSW, LSW, RN-BC OMC Vice President, Board of Trustees, Seashore Family Services of New Jersey; Facilitator, Bereavement Group, Ocean Medical Center; Facilitator, Breast Cancer Support Group, Ocean Medical Center

Rosemary McCabe, DNP, APN, JSUMC Coordinator, Diabetes Awareness Day BC, CDE

Marlene Navarro, MSN, OMC Participant, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, AOCNP, OCN, ANP-BC American Cancer Society, ONS CNJ Chapter; Participant, Relay for Life, American Cancer Society

Maureen O’Brien, MSN, R.N., SOMC Participant, Heart Walk CCRN, ACNS-BC

Mary Peled, BSN, R.N., CPN OMC Fundraiser/Participant, Relay for Life Cancer, Point Pleasant High School, Point Pleasant, NJ

Kim Pheifer, BSN, RN-BC, NE-BC JSUMC Volunteer, 4H-Fair Set Up , Food Booth and Closure, Monmouth County Fair, Freehold, NJ

Allison Pianoforte, MSN, R.N., CEN BCH Community Representative to Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing, Monmouth University Continuing Education Committee, Long Branch, NJ

Marie Price, R.N. JSUMC Instructor, Chronic Disease Management (Local Communities)

Patricia Reiff, BSN, R.N., CCRN, CPAN JSUMC Volunteer, Michael’s FEAT, Matawan, NJ

Rebecca Reiff, BSN, RN-BC JSUMC Volunteer, Gala Committee, Michael’s FEAT, Matawan, NJ

Vera Reiner, R.N., CPN OMC Parish Wellness Nurse, Epiphany Church, Brick, NJ; Volunteer, Seafood Festival, Point Pleasant Beach, NJ; Volunteer, Paint the Town Pink Teddy Bear Clinic, Ocean Medical Center; Volunteer, Teddy Bear Clinic, Meridian Health Fair, Ocean County Mall, Toms River, NJ; Volunteer, Teddy Bear Clinic, Girl Scouts of America; Volunteer, Ocean County Health Fair, Toms River Elementary School



Diane Resnick, MPA, RN-BC JSUMC Volunteer, Congregation Torat El Mitzvah Day; Participant, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk and Prostate Cancer Walk; Participant, Heart Walk

Gwen Reynolds, RN-BC, CEN JSUMC Second Lieutenant, Atlantic Highlands First Aid Squad

Denise Schwartz, BSN, RN-BC BCH Participant, Walk to End Alzheimer’s, Point Pleasant, NJ

Judith Slover-Zipf, DNP, MSN, JSUMC Nurse Practitioner and Diabetes Educator, Parker Clinic, Red ANP-BC, ADM-BC, CDE Bank, NJ; Coordinator, Diabetes Awareness Day, Neptune, NJ

Kathleen Sullivan, MSN, RN-BC JSUMC Volunteer, Bucket Brigade; Volunteer, Beach Cleanup, Meridian Health

Lynne Tomlinson, MSN, RN-BC, OMC Participant, Manhattan Walk to Cure Diabetes ONC, CWOCN

Maria G. Torres, RNC OMC Member/Fundraiser, Missionaries of the Poor Ministry, and Parish Nurse (winter), Vital Checks for the Homeless, St. Veronica Church, Howell, NJ

Edward Vetrecin, MSN, R.N., SOMC Firefighter, Pinewood Estates Volunteer Fire Company, Barnegat, CCRN, CEN NJ; Member, BPOE Elks Lodge 2340, Manahawkin, NJ; Adjunct Professor, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ

Eric Wignall, BSN, R.N., CCRN JSUMC Instructor, Basic Life Support, Community

Dawn Williams, BSN, RN-BC, CCPC RMC Volunteer, Meridian Health Fairs; Participant, Heart Walk


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Military/International Service

While many Meridian nurses volunteer their time and skills outside the walls of our hospitals, some also give of their time beyond the boundaries of the United States. They act as goodwill ambassadors by bringing their knowledge and expertise to those in need.

Janet Edinger, BSN, R.N., CEN, CPEN SOMC Volunteer, American Legion Auxiliary

Regina Foley, MBA, MSN, FACHE OMC Volunteer Nurse, Medical Mission, Milot Haiti

Gretchen Hayes, R.N. JSUMC 1st Lieutenant, Initial Flight Nurse Training, Delaware Air National Guard

Duane Leist, R.N., CNOR RMC Captain, U.S. Army Reserves 344th Combat Support Hospital, West Hartford, CT

Maria G. Torres, RNC OMC Volunteer Nurse/Chaperon, Mission Trip with High School and College Students, Kingston, Jamaica


Meridian’s NICHE Program Welcomes Visitors from Abroad

In May of 2013, Meridian Health’s NICHE Program hosted visitors from South Australia (SA) and Canada to showcase Meridian Health and share best practices. Karen Hales, R.N., MACN, interim nursing director, Palliative Care & Central Adelaide Geriatric Service Medical Directorate - Complex Medicine, Central Adelaide Local Health Network - SA Health, and recipient of the SA Premiers Overseas Nursing Study Scholarship to improve care of older adults, and Mary Fox, Ph.D., R.N., from York University, Toronto, Canada, whose research focuses on functional outcomes in older adults, visited NYU College of Nursing, NYU Medical Center, and Maimonides Medical Center as part of their visit to the United States. Marie Boltz, Ph.D., practice director for the NYU NICHE Program, organized the visit, and Linda Hassler, Meridian’s NICHE coordinator, led the tour at Meridian which began at Ocean Medical Center. The visitors learned about how the NICHE program functions, including the NICHE Councils, the Geriatric Clinical Scholar (GCS) Program, the emergency department initiative, and the Geriatric Interdisciplinary Fellowship Training (GIFT) program. The visitors also toured the ACE Unit with Betty Dowd, RN-BC, BSN, assistant nurse manager, and Enid Russell, RN-BC, HELP program coordinator.

Regina Foley, R.N., MBA, FACHE, vice president for Patient Care Services at Ocean, discussed the CNO perspective and the importance of the geriatric program. The group also enjoyed lunch at Jersey Shore University Medical Center with Teri Wurmser, Ph.D., R.N., with discussion on how the Ann May Center for Nursing supports the Advancement of Professional Nursing Practice. The final stop was Bayshore Community Hospital with Denise Schwartz, R.N., BSN, nurse manager of the ACE Unit, and Ellen Barrington, R.N., MSN, senior manager.

The visitors reported that the South Australia Health Nursing & Midwifery office has launched a new Nursing and Widwifery Strategic Framework for the state with five strategic priorities: Caring with Kindness, People and Culture; Workforce Capability and Capacity, Evidence Based Practice and Research in Clinical Practice, and Workforce Organization.

“Strong nursing leadership, care and compassion, and a skilled and competent geriatric nursing workforce are the three main learnings I took away from my visit to Meridian,” says Karen Hales.

Karen presented to nurses in management positions in SA Health on organizations that demonstrate nursing leadership, are committed to care and compassion of geriatric patients, and that experience better health outcomes for their patients and reductions in length of hospital stay. “I also acknowledged that geriatric nursing is a specialization like ICU, ED, and cardiology and should be celebrated!” she further noted.

Her organization will be developing a project to introduce the Hospital Elders Life Program to their geriatric wards. They will be working in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Association to provide training and education for their volunteers. She also presented information on the Meridian Health C.A.R.E Program, which has garnered great interest from her staff. They plan to develop a similar program called “Excellence in Care at the Bedside.” Karen’s organization also recently had their first geriatric nurse who graduated in the Master of Nurse Practitioner in Geriatrics.


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Educational Achievements

Maintaining a work/life balance is a challenge for nurses working in today’s health care environment. Yet many Meridian nurses continue to pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees in order to advance their clinical and leadership skills.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

Dolores Dzubaty, Ph.D., MSN, RNC-OB Capella University OMC

Kathleen Russell-Babin, Ph.D., R.N., Nova Southeastern University MH NEA-BC, ACNS-BC

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Virginia Carreira, DNP, R.N., APN, Monmouth University JSUMC CCRN, FNP, CDE

Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Bruce Alston, MSN, MBA, RN-BC, PCCN Kean University SOMC

David Arnold, MSN, R.N. University of Delaware MH

Rhodora Barretto, MSN, R.N., GNP-BC University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ (UMDNJ) OMC

Clair Carragino, MSN, R.N., APN-C, FNP-BC University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ (UMDNJ) JSUMC

Suzette Catong, MSN, APN-C, CCRN, RN-BC Monmouth University JSUMC

Francine Dygulski, MSN, RN-BC, CNRN Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey JSUMC

Conrad Ehrig, MSN, RN-BC Monmouth University JSUMC

Christine Eisenberg, MSN, ACNP-BC Drexel University JSUMC

Ursula Lasky, MSN, R.N., CEN Chamberlain College of Nursing OMC

Elizabeth Martinez, MSN, R.N., OCN University of Phoenix SOMC

Allison Pianoforte, MSN, R.N., CEN Monmouth University BCH

Margaret Sparandera, MSN, R.N., COS-C Western Governor’s University MHCS

Michael Valendo, MSN, R.N., CEN Thomas Edison State College RMC

Alda Valenzuela, MSN, RN-BC, CNE, Monmouth University MQC CGN, CWS, CDONA/LTC

Annemarie Welch-Peters, MSN, R.N. Kean University BCH

Kathleen Willman, MSN, R.N., CCRN Walden University MH

Educational Achievements

Bachelors of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Georgia Cassidy, BSN, R.N. Sacred Heart University RMC

Susan Dowd, BSN, R.N. New Jersey City University BCH

Janet Edinger, BSN, R.N., CEN, CPEN Chamberlain College of Nursing SOMC

Lindsay Fehring, BSN, RN-BC Kean University JSUMC

Kandy Gilvary, BSN, R.N. Thomas Edison State College JSUMC

Maryna Hall, BSN, RN-BC, ONC University of Phoenix JSUMC

Melissa Hill, BSN, RN-BC Kean University BCH

Janet Lawrence, BSN, R.N. Saint Joseph’s College of Maine JSUMC

Wendy Mehalick, BSN, RN-BC, CIC Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey RMC

Michelle Poinsett, BSN, R.N. Kean University JSUMC

Eleanor Ruzzo, BSN, R.N., CNOR Kean University SOMC

Debra Reinhold, BSN, RN-BC New Jersey City University BHCC

Dawn Williams, BSN, RN-BC, CCPC Thomas Edison State College RMC

Associates in Applied Science in Nursing (AAS)

Eileen Rivera, AAS, R.N. Brookdale Community College FOUND

Jessica Whalen, AAS, R.N. Brookdale Community College RMC


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Foundation

The Mehandru Award for Nursing Excellence

For 29 years, Dr. Sushil Mehandru has served on the medical staff at Jersey Shore University Medical Center and has built a reputation for his exceptional clinical and academic expertise. This prestigious award signifies his strong commitment to nursing and to the promotion of excellence in patient care. The award is presented to a licensed practical nurse or registered nurse who on a daily basis exhibits excellence in the delivery of patient care. 2013 was the first year it was presented at Ocean Medical Center.

Dr. Sushil Mehandru and his wife Dr. Urmila Mehandru, along with Regina Foley, R.N., MBA, MSN, FACHE, vice president of Operations and chief nursing officer, are on hand to congratulate Ocean’s Jean Hughes on her award.

Nightingale Awards

This special award at Southern Ocean Medical Center recognizes nurses for their ongoing dedication to nursing excellence.

2013 awardees Kathy Meehan, Peg Solon, Dianna Matos, and Nancy McColl are pictured with Donna Ciufo, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, CCRN, NE-BC, Chief Nurse Executive and vice president of Nursing at Southern Ocean Medical Center (second from left). Not pictured are recipients Kara Fallot, Judy Kerlin, Christine Morrow, Nina Gildner, Carolyn Smith, Terri Otte, Meredith Schilling, Beth Castrovilly, Kathy Whalen, Carol Dworkin, Nancy Tomczyk, Debbie Topeleski, and Lisa McGrail.

Foundation

Mildred H. Rosa Trust President’s Scholarship Award

The Mildred H. Rosa Trust President’s Award Scholarship acknowledges outstanding service and commitment to the mission, vision, and values of Meridian Health. Candidates for this award must be enrolled in a college program leading to R.N. licensure, or in programs leading to advanced degrees in nursing. One scholarship is awarded to an applicant on each hospital campus, and one to a Meridian team member working at an affiliate organization.

Pictured in front are Gordon N. Litwin, Esq., Chairperson, Meridian Health Board of Trustees; Cecelia Smith (Riverview); Christopher Schultz (Allied); Bozema Czekalski (Affiliate); and Meridian President John K. Lloyd, FACHE. The back row includes Teri Wurmser, Denise Schwartz (Bayshore), Joan Palermo (Jersey Shore), Sharon Lubeck (Ocean), and Kim Clements (Southern Ocean).

Riverview Medical Center Nurse Excellence Award

The Nurse Excellence Award annually recognizes the outstanding performance of a nurse who is a direct care provider. Nominations are open to RNs and LPNs at Riverview that are submitted by their peers or a manager.

Ellen Arnold receives the Riverview Nurse Excellence Award from Lori Colineri, former chief nurse executive at Riverview.


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Foundation

Lloyd Family Nursing Scholarship

A Lloyd Family Nursing Scholarship is the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a nurse at Meridian Health. The Lloyd Family Nursing Scholarship is awarded annually to nurses who best exemplify the ideals and spirit of “The Meridian Way” and individuals who have distinguished themselves at a professional level through their exceptional nursing service.

Lindsay Perna (center) from Jersey Shore is awarded the Lloyd Family Nursing Scholarship by Meridian President John K. Lloyd, FACHE and Mary Ann Donahue, former chief nurse executive at Jersey Shore.

Bayshore’s Ryan Hill-Husosky (center) receives the Lloyd Family Nursing Scholarship from John K. Lloyd and Mary Ann Donahue.

Leslie E. Stewart SGNA Scholarship

The Leslie E. Stewart SGNA Scholarship is available to Meridian nurses who work in Gastroenterology and are enrolled in an advanced degree program at the BSN, Masters, or Doctoral level.

Foundation

The Carol Ann Cawley Weshnak Pediatric Nursing Scholarship Award

To honor those who devote their career to excellence in pediatric nursing, the Weshnak family has established a scholarship to be used to advance the formal education of nurses. This scholarship is awarded to a nurse who best exemplifies the ideals of family-centered care and clinical excellence in the pediatric setting.

Dana Chiappone receives The Carol Ann Cawley Weshnak Pediatric Nursing Scholarship Award for her significant contributions to Meridian Health and the community.

Cindy Stagg (center) receives the Leslie E. Stewart SGNA Scholarship from Leslie Stewart (right).

Jersey Shore University Medical CenterOcean Medical CenterRiverview Medical CenterSouthern Ocean Medical CenterBayshore Community HospitalMeridian Partner Companies

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