In May, hundreds of Connecticut nurses were honored with Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing in Fairfield, Hartford, New Haven and New London. For the past 10 years, the awards have been presented to RNs and LPNs who have demonstrated excellence in clinical practice, leadership or education. As Connecticut?s largest statewide nursing recognition program, the awards are intended to raise awareness of nurses? achievements at the local level.
The awards were ?originally developed by the Visiting Nurse Association of South Central Connecticut to be a collaborative effort to celebrate outstanding nurses who elevate the nursing profession,? according to www.NightingaleNursingAwards.org. The program began in New Haven, then in 2003 three other regional areas were added ? Greater Fairfield, Greater Hartford and Eastern Connecticut. This year?s hosts of the awards ceremonies were Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association, VNA Healthcare, Visiting Nurse Association of South Central Connecticut and Visiting Nurse Association of Southeastern Connecticut.
Nurses who are recognized with the award receive a certificate of recognition, Nightingale insignia lapel pin and commemorative gift. The program is open and inclusive of all healthcare settings from hospitals to schools to medical practices.
In partnership with local nursing programs ? Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing, Sacred Heart University, Fairfield University, Western Connecticut State University, Norwalk Community College and St. Vincent?s College ? the program provides six scholarships to local nursing students. Each program offers a scholarship to a student who could be a future Nightingale nominee.
The following is a complete list of the 2010 winners by region.
New London
The Eastern Connecticut 2010 Nightingale honorees include Dolores Albrecht, BSN VNA of Southeastern Connecticut Inc.; Helen Ashinghurst, RN, BSN, Lawrence & Memorial Hospital; Cheryl Atkins, RN, BSN, Lawrence & Memorial Hospital; Susan Baker, BSN, Ledyard Regional VNA; Tom Bergeron, RN, CHPN, VNA East Inc.; Patricia Bertrand, RN, The William W. Backus Hospital; Megan Boord, BSN, Stonington Institute; Laurie Corona, MS, BSN, Lawrence & Memorial Hospital; Marlene Droukas, RN, BSN, Lawrence & Memorial Hospital; Kim Durand, RN, Day Kimball Healthcare; Laurie Ferra, RN, The William W. Backus Hospital; Martha Garvin, RNC, Lawrence & Memorial Hospital; Lori Godaire, RN, The William W. Backus Hospital; Nancy Grant, APRN, Child and Family Agency of SECT Inc.; Mary Gulya, The William W. Backus Hospital; Lorie Hamilton, RN, Day Kimball Hospital; Patricia Hotsky-Cikatz, Peter Famiglietti, MD; Michael Hrymack, RN, Backus Home Health Care; Patricia Hunt, RN, Joseph W. Peters, MD; Vinessa Job, LPN, Hospice Southeastern Connecticut; Elaine Keeler, RN, VNA of Southeastern Connecticut Inc.; Claire LaMonica, RN, CEN, CPEN, The William W. Backus Hospital; Randie Long, RN, The William W. Backus Hospital; Mary Lussier, LPN, Day Kimball Hospital; Mary Mitchell, RN, The William W. Backus Hospital; Margaret Muriel, BSN, Connecticut Community Care Inc.; Kathleen Poblete, RN, Lawrence & Memorial Hospital; Linda Poulos, RN, VNA East Inc.; Mary Ann Reisinger, CCRN, MS, Lawrence & Memorial Hospital; Sherry Reynolds, RN, The William W. Backus Hospital; Jean Ann Richeimer, CRNA, Crossroads Orthopaedic Group, LLC; Sabrina Rogers, RN, CRNI, Lawrence & Memorial Hospital; Kristin Scarlata, APRN, OB-GYN Services; Nancy Scrivano, RN, BS, MSN, Three Rivers Community College; Dawn Serrilli, LPN, Oncology and Hematology Associates, PC; Donna Slonski, RN, The William W. Backus Hospital; Kerrie Soares, RN, Masonicare Partners Home Health & Hospice; Jan St. Jean, RN, Day Kimball Hospital; Pellegrina Stolfi, MSN, APRN, CS University of Connecticut School of Nursing; Jennifer Teper, RN, Interim HealthCare of Eastern Connecticut Inc.; Mark Wainston, RN, The William W. Backus Hospital; Deborah Ware, RN, CNN, MGS, MAOM, Lawrence & Memorial Hospital; Diana Watson, LPN, Harrington Court; Deborah Williams, RN, BSN, Day Kimball Hospital; and Nancy Zamagni, RN, Day Kimball Hospital.
Fairfield
The 2010 Fairfield honorees include Leonila Aberin, RN, BSN, Danbury Health Systems; Kirstin Anastasia, RN, MSN, Bridgeport Hospital; Ryma Ancheta, RN, BSN, St. Vincent?s Medical Center; Cynthia Anderson, RN, St. Vincent?s Medical Center-Behavioral Health; Karlene Angel, RN, Connecticut Health of Southport; Helen Backus, RN, Greenwich Hospital; Judy Badia, RN, Greenwich Hospital; Leigh Basta, RN, BSN, Bridgeport Hospital; Emy Benedicto, RN, BSN, Bridgeport Hospital; Kimberly Bielecki, RN, MBA, Bridgeport Hospital; Julie Boardman, RN, Masonicare Home Health & Hospice; Sabine Bordelon, RN, Bridgeport Hospital; Karen Brendli, RN, Silver Hill Hospital; Colleen Brennan, RN, Norwalk Hospital; Martha Bryce, RN, BSN, MSN, COS-C, Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association; Perry Burgess, RN, BSN, Stamford Hospital; Santiare Calixte, LPN, Northbridge Health Care Center; Carol Collins, RN, CCRN, St. Vincent?s Medical Center; Michele Covino-Deaso, RN, MSN, NNP-BC, Bridgeport Hospital; Connie Cozens, RN, BSN, Norwalk Hospital; Denise Culhane, RN, St. Vincent?s Medical Center; Roshini David, RN, Norwalk Hospital; Sally Davis, RN, ADN, Danbury Health Systems; Lucy DeAndrade, RN, St. Vincent?s Medical Center; Sharon DeBernardis, RN, VITAS Innovative Hospice Care; Julisa DeLuta, RN, Stamford Hospital; Erin Devlin, RN, CRNI, St. Vincent?s Medical Center; Melissa DiNoto, RN, BSN, Stamford Hospital; Nancy Doelger, RNC, St. Vincent?s Medical Center; Sarah Domack, RN, Bridgeport Hospital; Denise Dunnigan, LPN, Masonicare Home Health & Hospice; Donna Duris, BSN, CCRN, Danbury Health Systems; Peggy Dwyer, RN, BA, St. Vincent?s Medical Center; Ruth Erway, RN, Stamford Hospital; Jackie Burns Essex, RN, BSN, BS, Greenwich Hospital; Ruth Esteban, RN, BSN, Danbury Health Systems; Gloria Fazio, APRN, CS, Norwalk Community College; Germaine Fraser, RN, MA, HNB-BC, Stamford Hospital; Luther Garcia, RN, BSN, Greenwich Hospital; Michael Geremia, RN, BSN, Silver Hill Hospital; Bridgetta Germain, RN, St. Vincent?s Medical Center; Anne Gerstner, RNC, Stamford Hospital; Ann Giuli, RN, BSN, MPH, Stamford Hospital; Derek Glover, RN, BA, Greenwich Hospital; Jennifer Goldwag, RN, BA, ACE, Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association; Kathleen Hayes, RN, MSN, MSEd, Norwalk Community College; Charlene Johns, RN, BSN, Danbury Health Systems; Karen Joseph, RN, Norwalk Hospital; Mary Judge, RN, MSN, Stamford Hospital; Rosemary Kasinskas, RN, Danbury Health Systems; Amanda Kitlas, RN, Norwalk Hospital; Elena Kononchuk, RN, Connecticut Health of Southport; Eileen Lawless, RN, BSN, Visiting Nurse and Hospice Care of Southwestern Connecticut; Katie Lewis, RN, Silver Hill Hospital; Joanne Librie, RN, Regional Hospice of Western Connecticut; Pamela Meharry, RN, BSN, MSN, Greenwich Hospital; Claudia Montoya, RN, Norwalk Hospital; Ambili Gopinathan Nair, RN, BSN, Norwalk Hospital; Paula Nash, APRN, MSN, Silver Hill Hospital; Tammy Neubauer, RN, Norwalk Hospital; Susan Nevers, RN, Danbury Visiting Nurse Association; Joan Newman, RN, Silver Hill Hospital; Erin O?Rourke, RN, BSN, Ridgefield Visiting Nurse Association; Ellen Parrella, RN, BSN, Bridgeport Hospital; Farah Pasard, LPN, Connecticut Health of Southport; Manjula Patel, RN, BSN, Danbury Health Systems; Ewa Przybysz, RN, Norwalk Hospital; Mary Queally, RN, Masonicare Home Health & Hospice; Cindy Raccio, RN, CNOR, St. Vincent?s Medical Center; Katharine Radziewicz, RN, BSN, OCN, St. Vincent?s Medical Center; Denise Reyes, RN, Bridgeport Hospital; Alice Ricard, RN, BS, ACM, Stamford Hospital; Tanya Riordon, RN, Stamford Hospital; Barbara Robinson, ADN, BA, Danbury Health Systems; Dori Rogers, RN, MSN, Bridgeport Hospital; Margaret Romaniw, RN, Bridgeport Hospital; Elizabeth Ryder, RN, ADN, Danbury Health Systems; Lois Saccomanno, RN, Danbury Health Systems; Shelly Sementilli, RN, Bridgeport Hospital; Maureen Shimko, RN, St. Vincent?s Medical Center-Behavioral Health; Judy Slater, RN, ADN, Danbury Health Systems; Pat Soltisiak, RN, BSN, Greenwich Hospital; Carol Stenz, RN, Norwalk Hospital; Sandy Swiatek, RN, BSN-BC, Stamford Hospital; Nancy Teixeira, RN, BSN, MSN, Stamford Hospital; Claudette Thyme, RN, BSN, Bridgeport Hospital; Barbara Tigue, RN, Silver Hill Hospital; Sharon Tilley, RN, MSN, ACNS-BC, Bridgeport Hospital; Charon Torres, RN, St. Vincent?s Medical Center; Kara Tzanetis, RN, BSN, St. Vincent?s Medical Center; Subha Varghese, RN, Norwalk Hospital; Kathy Ventura, RN, Maefair Health Care Center; Nancy Wachen, RN, BSN, MSN, Greenwich Hospital; Dwanna Ward-Boehan, APRN, St. Vincent?s Medical Center; Barbara Webb, RN, Greenwich Hospital; Helene Worob, RN, Greenwich Hospital; and Elizabeth Young, RN, BSN, Danbury Health Systems.
Hartford
The 2010 Hartford honorees include Kevin Abbate, RN, BSN, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center; Cindy Adjebeng, RN, Eastern Connecticut Health Network; Donna Babich, RN, MidState Medical Center; Cynthia Baker, RN, The Hospital of Central Connecticut; Kelli Baldwin, RN, BSN, BA, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center; Jennifer Barton, RN, BSN, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center; Justine Bedlack, RN, Jefferson House; Sophie Belanger, RNC, Connecticut Children's Medical Center; Cynthia Belonick, APRN, Institute of Living; Mary Biondino, RN, BSN, MidState Medical Center; Donna Boehm, RN, The Hospital of Central Connecticut; Erin Boyle, RN, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center; Lynn Bryant, RN, CRRN, Hospital for Special Care; Carol Buckley, RN, The Hospital of Central Connecticut; Sharon Casey, RN, BSN, MEd, VNA HealthCare; SuHee Cha, RN, Eastern Connecticut Health Network; Cristin Chambers, RN, BSN, Hartford Hospital; Ann Cinotti, RN, MS, CCRN, The Hospital of Central Connecticut; Lisa Corbett, APRN, Hartford Hospital; Paige Corral, RN, BSN, Connecticut Children's Medical Center; Elaine Crane, RN, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center; Barbra Cuadras, RN, University of Connecticut Health Center; Linda Desrosiers, RN, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center; Marian Doucette, LPN, Somerset Family Health Care Internal Medicine; Patricia Duclos-Miller, RN, MSN, Capital Community College; Wendy Dunham, RN, Johnson Memorial Hospital; Victor Durao, RN, Hartford Hospital; Loretta Dykas, RN, CWCN, Visiting Nurse Association of Central Connecticut; Mary Farkash, RN, Saint Mary?s Hospital; Stefanie Ferrera, RN, The Hospital of Central Connecticut; Pam Fowler, RN, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center; Patricia Gannon, RN, ADN, Connecticut Department of Public Health; Brenda Gelo, RN, Hartford Hospital; Pat Giannelli, RN, BSN, MSN, ACNS, PM, MidState Medical Center; Mary Gilmartin, LPN, Kimberly Hall South; Beth Gottier, RN, Eastern Connecticut Health Network; Cecilia Gozo, RN, BSN, CNOR, MidState Medical Center; Kathleen Hawkins, RN, BSN, Windham Hospital; Mary Beth Johnson, RN, BSN, Bristol Hospital; Alan Kaminski, RN, BSN, Correctional Managed Health Care; Joanne Kapinos, LPN, Eastern Connecticut Health Network; Catherine Kay, RN, University of Connecticut Health Center; Stephanie Kelly, RN, BSN, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center; Laurie Kennedy, APRN, The Hospital of Central Connecticut; Terry Kinsley, RN, BSN, CEN, Hartford Hospital; Regina Klundt, RN, Johnson Memorial Hospital; Linda Kovalck, RN, Windham Hospital; Jeffrey LaBrode, RN, BSN, Hartford Hospital; Paula Lambert, RN, BS, Masonicare Partners Home Health & Hospice; Nicki Larabee, RNC, Hartford Hospital; Susan Lattanzio, RN, BSN, Interim HealthCare; Janice Lepore, RN, Hartford Hospital; Jocelynn Lessard, RN, The Hospital of Central Connecticut; Andrea Maningas, RN, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center; Dawn Marinelli, RN, The Hospital of Central Connecticut; Diane Marino, RN, BS, BSN, The Hospital of Central Connecticut; Annmarie Marrero, RN, BSN, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center; Karen Mazzarella, RN, Connecticut Children's Medical Center; Elizabeth McCoy, RN, BSN, Connecticut Children's Medical Center; Sandra McKeown, LPN, Eastern Connecticut Health Network; Ifeoma Mogor, RN, Hartford Hospital; Jennifer Moller, RNC-OB, C-EFM, Hartford Hospital; Ann Monroe, RN, Cherry Brook Health Care Center; Rachel Murawski, RN, AANAC-MDS, Cherry Brook Health Care Center; Diana Norris, APRN, ACNP-BC, AE, C, Eastern Connecticut Health Network; Jean Palin, MSN, APRN, Community Health Center Inc.; Mary Kate Parker, RN-BC, MS Hartford Hospital; Charlet Parker, RN, University of Connecticut Health Center; Mary Pelletier, LPN, Visiting Nurse and Health Services of Connecticut; Wendy Petow, APRN, University of Connecticut Health Center; Ann Plourde, RN, BSN, Hartford Hospital; Kathleen Polhemus, RN, BS, Eastern Connecticut Health Network; Carolyn Pollack, RN, CCRN, Bristol Hospital; Kathryn Porter, LPN, Correctional Managed Health Care; Louise Raboin, RN, MidState Medical Center; Kristen Ramondetta, RN, Eastern Connecticut Health Network; Laura Ann Riesbeck, RN, BS, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center; Rebecca Rosario, RN, The Hospital of Central Connecticut; Karen Roy, RN, BSN, Bristol Hospital; Caryl Ryan, RN, University of Connecticut Health Center; Edgar Salas, RN, University of Connecticut Health Center; Debra Sarra, RN, Interim HealthCare; Anne Schmidt, RN, APRN-BC, MSN, Windham Hospital; Toni Smachetti, RN, BSN, The Hospital of Central Connecticut; Betsy Smith, RN, BSN, Hospital for Special Care; Eileen Smith, RN, BSN, Alzheimer?s Resource Center of Connecticut; Susan Smith, RN, Hartford Hospital; Heidi Smolka, RN, BSN, St. Joseph College; Jeffrey Stamp, RN, BSN, Correctional Managed Health Care; Gloria Suarez, RN, ASN, Correctional Managed Health Care; Sharyn Sweeney, RN, AS, VNA HealthCare; Kathryn Tierney, APRN, The Hospital of Central Connecticut; Maureen Tiroletto, RN, MSN, CCRN, Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center; Teresa Twomey, RN, MSN, Goodwin College; Margaret VanSteenburgh, RN, BSN, WOCN, Mt. Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital; Linda Wagner, RN, MSN, EdD, Central Connecticut State University; Bridget Wheeler, RN, BA, MSN, The Hospital of Central Connecticut; Mary Jane Williams, RN, PhD, University of Hartford; Yarelis Wilson, RN, The Hospital of Central Connecticut; Dawn Woodruff, RN, MSN, Saint Mary?s Hospital; Kathy Worthington, RN, BSN, Masonicare Partners Home Health & Hospice; and Tracie Wrinn, RN, Connecticut Children's Medical Center.
New Haven
The 2010 New Haven honorees include Cecilia Acosta, RN, BSN, New England Home Care; Erin Albright, RN, BSN, Yale New Haven Hospital; Ivy Alexander, PhD, APRN, ANP-BC, Yale University School of Nursing; Sarah Alteri, RN, II Hospital of Saint Raphael; Antoinette ?Toni? Altman, LPN, Fair Haven Community Health Center; Donita ?Donnie? Anderson-Osga, RN, CNIII Yale New Haven Hospital; Brenda Aponte, LPN, Fair Haven Community Health Center; Nancy Banasiak, MSN, APRN, BC, PNP, Yale University School of Nursing; Dorothy Benko, RN, BSN, VA Connecticut Healthcare System; Suzann Blanchard, BSN, CNIII, Yale New Haven Hospital; Kathleen Blum, RN, Yale University Health Services; Carole Bozzi, LPN, The Jewish Home for the Elderly; Lisa M. Cadrin, RN, Stratford VNA; Cara Carbry, RN, Masonicare Health Center; Joyce Chevarella, RN, II, Hospital of Saint Raphael; Tiffany Chrostowski, RN, Level 11, Griffin Hospital; Helen Conde, RN, BSN, ACLS, Yale New Haven Hospital; Suzanne Conlon, RN, MSN, Gateway Community College; Melissa Cope, RN, BSN, Apple Rehab Corporate; Letty Corrado, PCM, Hospital of Saint Raphael; Nancy Crespo, RN, Milford Hospital; Priscilla Cruz, RN, BSN, New England Home Care; Irene Cullagh, RN, Hospital of Saint Raphael; Jeff Curran, RN, BSN, MA, Yale New Haven Hospital; Carol Curtis, RN, Soundview Health Care; Robert Domogala Jr., RN, II, Hospital of St. Raphaels; Helena Erskine, RN, BSN, Yale New Haven Hospital; Janet Fabryk, LPN, The Jewish Home for the Elderly; Leslie Farkas-Gustafson, APRN, VNA Community Healthcare; Toni Frizinia, RN, CNII, PCCN, Yale New Haven Hospital; Christine Galla, RN, BSN, Yale New Haven Hospital; Carla Giugno, RN, BSN, VNA of South Central Connecticut; Dr. Mary Ann Glendon, RN, PhD, MSN, Southern Connecticut State University Department of Nursing; Kathleen Goodison, RN, BSN, New England Home Care; Kristina Guanzon, RN, Gaylord Hospital; Valentina Haddad, RN, Visiting Nurse Services of Connecticut; Susan Hahn, LPN, Gaylord Hospital; Robin Harding, RN, VA Connecticut Healthcare System; Jean Hart, RN, Milford Hospital; Bonnie Haupt, RN, MSN, CNL, Fairfield University; Deborah Hennessey, RN, BSN, Griffin Hospital; Margaret Hudak, LPN, Visiting Nurse Services of Connecticut; Sandra Ingriselli, RN, ADN, The Orchards at Southington; Sue Jankovich, RN, VNA Community Healthcare; Fedelie John, RN, VNA of South Central Connecticut; Michelle Kenna, RN, WCC, Apple Rehab Corporate; Cynthia Kenney, NCC, Hospital of Saint Raphael; Jennifer Kleinschmidt, RN, Gaylord Hospital; Cnythia Komar, RN, CPC, Level II, Griffin Hospital; Maureen Levey, RN, MSN, VA Connecticut Healthcare System; Michael Madonick, RN, Milford Hospital; Lisa Marks, CNS, Hospital of Saint Raphael; Diane Masciola, LPN, The Jewish Home for the Elderly; Janice McDevitt, LPN, Genesis HealthCare/Glendale Center; Ivette Medina-Stephenson, RNC, BSN, Yale New Haven Hospital; Deborah Morrill, RN, II, Hospital of Saint Raphael; Kathryn Munroe, RN, CNII, AACN, Yale New Haven Hospital; Maureen Murray, RN, Masonicare Health Center; Marilu O?Connell, NCC, Hospital of Saint Raphael; Kathleen O?Neil-Meyers, RN, MSN, VA Connecticut Healthcare System; Deborah Pantera, RN, BSN, CNIII, CPON, Yale New Haven Hospital; Evelyn Perugini, RN, The Jewish Home for the Elderly; Margaret Pinto, RN, BS, CNIII, Yale New Haven Hospital; Barbara Piper, RN, Masonicare Health Center; Beverly Piscitelli, NCC, Hospital of Saint Raphael; Lori Reynolds, LPN, Fair Haven Community Health Center; Kim Riccitelli, RN, BSN, Yale New Haven Hospital; Janet Rimm, APRN, Hospital of Saint Raphael; Donna Ross, RN, BSN, Visiting Nurse Services of Connecticut; Barbara Rudolph, RN, MSN, Gateway Community College; Michelle Scapellato, LPN, CareSource Inc.; Elizabeth Schaake, RN, MSN, Visiting Nurse Services of Connecticut; Susan Scripo, RN, BSN, New England Home Care; Sharon Scussell, RN, New England Home Care; Robertson B. Sheehy, LPN, VA Connecticut Healthcare System; Eva Smith, RN, BSN, Arden House Care and Rehab; Kimberly L. Wagner, LPN, Genesis HealthCare/Glendale Center; Lisa Waterbury, RN, MSN, Yale New Haven Hospital; Joan Wedge, RN, Genesis HealthCare/Glendale Center; Marlette Weiglein, RN, Milford Hospital; Margaret Welch, RN, Apple Rehab Corporate; Deena Williamson, RN, MSN, MBA, Masonicare Health Center; and Mary Wilson, RN, II, Hospital of Saint Raphael.
