April 2013: Rick Heim

April 2013: Rick Heim

March 2013: Richard Skelcher, Sharp Memorial

March 2013: Richard Skelcher, Sharp Memorial

March 2013: Richard Skelcher, Sharp Memorial

February 2013: Jaime Schuster, UCSD Cardiovascular Center

February 2013: Jaime Schuster, UCSD Cardiovascular Center

February 2013: Jaime Schuster, UCSD Cardiovascular Center

January 2013: Brenda Arvizu

January 2013: Brenda Arvizu

December 2012: Tamara Coca

December 2012: Tamara Coca

November 2012: Gina Zarella

November 2012: Gina Zarella

October 2012: Felicidad Vicencio

October 2012: Felicidad Vicencio

September 2012: Stephanie Huddleston, Camp Pendleton

September 2012: Stephanie Huddleston, Camp Pendleton

February 2012: Debbie Lozano, Sharp Mary Birch Hospital

Nomination: During the recent San Diego County power outage Debbie was working in the Women's Recovery Room. Right before the outage occurred we had a patient who's newborn had to go downstairs to our NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit).We were just about to transfer the Mom to her postpartum room with a quick trip to the NICU for her to spend a few minutes with her new baby boy and then the power went out. Needless to say this Mom was very upset, she wanted to go down and see her baby. Her husband was down there but she was not able to contact him because of the power outage. She even tried to get up and walk downstairs but since she just had surgery her legs would not support her. She was very frustrated and angry. When she realized that she would not be able to go down to the NICU and therefore would not be able to breastfeed him she decided to manually express the breast milk and give it to him later. As she was doing this Debbie Lozano happened to be walking past her bed and heard the patient crying. Even though Debbie was not her nurse she stopped and talked with the patient. When she found out what was happening she told the patient that she would take the breast milk down to the NICU and make sure the patient's son got the milk. Debbie did this but she also did something else. She took a short video of the nurses giving the milk to the baby and then came back up to the recovery room and showed the patient the video. This was the first time the patient got to see her son since he was born. By seeing the video she could tell that her son was doing okay and that her family and the staff were taking excellent care of him. This allowed her to relax and focus on her own recovery. Debbie also sent her the video by email shortly after this event so it is something that this patient will always have.
-Karen Stratton

May 2012: Renee Pitts, RN, Palomar Pomerado Home Care

Nomination: Renee works hard, balancing her family life with her duties as a dedicated RN, providing home nursing care with a caseload of over 35 patients, some of whom, like me have to be seen on a daily basis including weekends and holidays. Renee always managed to assure my comfort and kept me informed of my progress throughout my ordeal. She is the leader of a staff of 3, her dedication to detail and TLC reflected in that leadership and she more then deserves a treat at The Del!
-Peter Palumbo

April 2012: Toni Bingham, Sharp Hospice Care

Nomination: Toni is truly an exceptional nurse and colleague.  I have had the opportunity to witness her as she delivers the BEST comfort care possible to our patients who have a terminal diagnosis with less than six months to live.  She does this by combining compassion, integrity, and skill to honor a patient's wishes at the end of life.  Toni ensures that patients and families are heard, valued, and nurtured.  She recognizes that the dying process is a natural phase in life and is open to both the joy and fear that this may bring to others.  Toni meets them in the middle and helps them to discover the possibilities that are part of the journey at the end of life.  She is a gifted nurse and colleague.   
 
-Suzanne Degner

March 2012: Melissa White, Sharp Coronado Hospital

Nomination: Melissa has demonstrated that she is truly a nurse for all the right reasons. Patients, family members, and team members report kind and caring interactions with Melissa. She readily assists and thanks other members of the healthcare team. She facilitates teamwork professionally and serves as a role model for the Sharp Experience, which is to make this the best place to work, practice medicine, and receive care. She often receives "thank you's," from those she cares for. She communicates to ease wait times and listens to others to understand their needs. Melissa embraces the diversity of those she interacts with. She serves as a caring nurse advocate for her patients' well-being and removes obstacles to give the very best in therapeutic care. She knows the characteristics of great service and delivers results.

January 2012: Mary Ann Cacho, Scripps Mercy Hospital

Nomination: Mary Ann should be recognized because of her dedication and passion for her patients.  Whenever a patient comes out of surgery, she is there to comfort them when they are hurting, worried or uncomfortable.  She does whatever she can to make sure their pain is managed and they have everything they need while they are recovering from surgery.  She is very friendly and kind to her patients and it is easy to see the relief that her patients feel when she comes to their aid.  She is knowledgeable and very skilled at her job and far exceeds the abilities of many of her coworkers.  She always makes sure to come to the aid of her coworkers when they need her or when a new patient comes through the doors.  She is a self-starter and doesn't need to be asked to do something, but takes the initiative to do things that others might wait to do.  Her passion for nursing and the passion she has to see her patients receive the best care possible is very obvious.  I have worked with many nurses and Mary Ann is one of the best nurses I have worked with and would be honored to work alongside her one day.  She works hard each day she comes in and throughout the entire shift and she also works hard to be dedicated to her husband and 1 year old son.  She deserves to be pampered!  
-Lindsey Wiggins

December 2011: Martha Garcia, RN, PHN Supervisor, County of San Diego

Nomination: Martha has worked as a Public Health Nurse for the County for 10 plus years. She has served the residents of San Diego in the East, South and Central regions. In her time with the county she has worn many hats. As a Maternal Child Health field nurse working in the Healthy Infant Program, her job was to ensure that drug exposed infants and children received the resources and care they needed to become thriving healthy individuals. She worked with substance abusing pregnant and parenting women, helping to ensure a better life for the client and her baby. As the Epidemiology/Bioterrorism Public Health Nurse, she became an expert in disaster preparedness providing valuable training to frontline workers who were tasked with meeting the needs of the residents of San Diego in the event of a disaster. Ms. Garcia also served as a HealthLink Public Health Nurse, coordinating efforts between the community partners of South Bay to ensure school-aged children received health related services to meet their needs. Currently Ms. Garcia serves as a Public Health Nurse Supervisor in the Central Region of San Diego. She is a mentor to her staff and she continues to lead her peers as she works to develop protocols and standards for future public health nurses as they provide services to pregnant and parenting families all over San Diego.

November 2011: Corinne Hollings, RN, Sharp Hospital

Nomination: I would like to nominate: Corinne Hollings, RN. Why Corinne? Corinne Hollings, RN, a Sharp Employee of more than 20 years does many small acts of kindness that go unnoticed. For example: On a recent flight from DFW to SAN Corinne was upgraded to First Class, and then heard a young man talking about how excited he was about returning to his family after serving for one year in Iraq as a combat marine. Corinne approached this young guy, thanked him for his service, and then spoke to American Airlines, who agreed that she could give her First Class seat to him. He was thrilled and tearful... and she was so happy that she could do some small act of kindness to thank him for his sacrifice. That's the America that I love! Being a nurse, and being a SHARP nurse isn't just a JOB, it's a lifestyle and a calling... Corinne spent most of her career as the ER Charge Nurse at Chula Vista medical Center... she was amazing then too! Corinne Hollings, RN meets these objectives every day, all day! THANK YOU FOR HONORING NURSES. THANKS FOR CONSIDERING MRS. HOLLINGS.

October 2011: Susan Kennedy, Sharp Memorial Hospital

Nomination: My name is Marsha S. Meehleib, RN. I work throughout San Diego Sharp Hospitals, mainly at Sharp Memorial Hospital. I have worked for Sharp since 2006 and during this time, I met some of the greatest nurses. But one RN stands out from the rest!
I'd like to nominate Susan Kennedy, RN, CMSRN, advanced clinician. She works at Sharp Memorial Hospital in a unit called S.P.A. -which stands for surgical procedure area. Patients come in to us and they are scared because they know they're going to surgery right after we finish interviewing and assessing them.

Susan stands out because she has been a nurse for almost as long as I have been alive & her compassion & empathy are still as strong as ever. She is an RN who was meant to be an RN. Defines the term "REGISTERED NURSE"..her endless patience and kindness are often remembered by her patients as well. Many have spoken to me about how much calmer they feel just having met her for 5 minutes when she started an IV. She has a beautiful heart. She's a team player. Quite honestly, she is an example to me of what a real nurse is!

She's actively involved in the community as well. She volunteers at local animal shelters and is a strong animal rights activist.
Please consider her for a CARE award. I don't know of another nurse who deserves recognition more than Susan!
 
Sincerely,
Marsha S. Meehleib, RN

September 2011: Gillian Kirkpatrick, Rady Children's Hospital

Nomination: Gillian is a coworker of mine. She is for the most part on our ALS transport team, which goes to hospitals in San Diego County, Imperial County, and the border, to bring the sickest infants when there is nowhere else to go. But she does more than that. When she is not on transport she is in the unit always happy to help the nursing staff. She is ALWAYS of particular help to me on shifts when I am in charge. She is never hesitant to bring a patient to another department for a procedure, help start an IV, move patients around for various accommodation reasons, even just for advice. And she always helps with a smile on her face.

On nights when she is the 24 hour transport nurse, she is never hesitant to wake up and help. She never complains about having to go out on a transport. She is always so helpful in answering questions on to facilitate the transport.
And all of these things are even greater on the few days when she actually does bedside care in the unit and we get to work with her the entire shift.

I've never been out on a transport, but I imagine she represents not only our unit, but our entire hospital, very VERY well.  

-Laura Maxie

May 2011: Laura Carter, RN,PHN, County of San Diego Health and Human Services

Nomination: Laura has worked as a Public Health Nurse for the County for 10 plus years. She has served the residents of San Diego in the East region in various roles. As a Maternal Child Health field nurse, her job was to ensure that families received quality services to meet their needs. She made visits to pregnant women and families with young children ensuring that each member was connected to a provider, had health insurance and was receiving recommended health screenings and vaccinations. As the Public Health Nurse/Child Welfare Services Liaison, she coordinated efforts with her county partners to ensure at-risk children were being assessed appropriately and receiving medical care if warranted. In her role as HealthLInk Public Health Nurse, she continually works with her community partners to create and increase services for the underserved, specially focusing on victims of Domestic Violence. Her role in helping to establish a Family Justice Center in East Region was invaluable. She is well known in all regions of San Diego as her efforts to serve the public stretch far and wide.

April 2011: Cheryl Holsworth, Sharp Memorial Hospital

Nomination: Cheryl is the Senior Nursing Specialist for the Bariatric Surgery Program at Sharp Memorial Hospital. When Cheryl started in the program she knew very little about bariatrics or bariatric surgery. In the last three years, Cheryl has not only educated herself in the field, but she has also educated the entire clinical staff about weight sensitivity, bariatric equipment needs, how to identify a bariatric patient using their Body Mass Index (BMI), and many other aspects in relation to treating a bariatric patient. Although her position is really only directly related to the patients that have chosen weight-loss surgery as their weight-loss option, Cheryl has become the "expert" when any patient of larger size comes into the hospital for any condition. In addition, Cheryl has been a speaker for webinars regarding bariatrics and on March 18, 2011 will be speaking at the Sharp HealthCare Obesity Crisis Conference. I believe Cheryl is the epitome of the best nursing care a patient can receive.

March 2011: Charlene Anderson, Sharp Memorial Hospital

Nomination: Due to caring for aging parents and in-laws, I have had more emergency department visits than I can count during the past decade, probably more than two dozen visits. Charley Anderson, R.N. was by far the best nurse I have encountered in the ED. She was very kind and attentive to my mother who is 84-years-old and has Alzheimer's Disease. Charley communicated with me regularly and was so concerned about my mother's frail health, and wanted her to continue to receive the best care that she advocated for her to be admitted to the hospital where she spent two days. Our time with Charley was towards the end of a long shift, but she was always very professional, patient and pleasant. She definitely deserves this recognition.

February 2011: Cheryl Burton, Greater Tri-Cities IPA

Nomination: Imagine having a heart transplant. It fails. What would you do next? You are lucky to have one heart transplant. Most are not given a second chance. What if you are only 33 years old? Cheryl Burton, RV understands health is more than care, its quality of life. In January, with the help of Dr. Barr (Cardiologist), Ms. Burton appealed this case to the hospital board of USC. Her patient is getting her second heart! Ms. Burton takes everyday as an opportunity to create a better health experience. Patients are not defined by their disease and shouldn't be treated as such. Ms. Burton overcomes the stress and hurdles to create the best experiences possible. She treats patients as family and works as their advocates. It is obvious her work ethic includes compassion, empathy, and heartfelt diligence. While handling the stress of life, including raising three children, one getting ready for college, remodeling her kitchen herself, and being Team Mom for her 5-year-old's T-Ball team, Ms. Burton manages to coordinate the care of the patients for the Greater Tri Cities IPA, a medical group of Independent Physicians in the Tri-City area of North County (Oceanside, Carlsbad and Vista).
Ms. Burton humbly claims success comes from a hardworking team. We would like to take the time to truly thank her for her hard work, dedication, leadership and heart! We couldn't do it without her, and out patients deserve nothing less. Thank you Cheryl!

January 2011: Katherine Shaffer, Rady Children's Hospital

Nomination: I'd like to nominate my co-worker Katherine Shaffer, RN, BSN. She is a 31 year employee at Rady Children's hospital. She works in the NICU as a bedside nurse at the main campus in Kearny Mesa. have known and worked with Katherine for almost 30 years as I am also a nurse in the NICU at RCHSD. Katherine is an excellent clinician and has several extended roles including cardiac specialist, ECMO specialist and Clinical Nurse III. She is seen as an expert at the bedside and teaches all staff both informally and formally. Katherine has seemingly endless energy and enthusiasm for her job even after so many years. She has selflessly come in during her time off to participate in projects, classes and meetings for both the NICU and the hospital. The babies and their families benefit from her extensive knowledge and experience and her empathetic and caring manner. She is one of the key point people assisting with the NICU's and the hospital's transition to electronic data entry. Katherine strives to be an excellent nurse and seeks out opportunities for continued learning while updating her skills.

December 2010: Rafael Carrillo, Sharp Chula Vista

Nomination: Rafael is our Angel and was there to help us though a very difficult and hard time in our lives. His kindness, compassion and caring meant so much to us and how lucky we were to have him as our nurse at a time when we most needed someone who really cared.
My Mom got very sick with serious illness and wound up in the Medical ICU at Sharp Chula Vista Hospital. After a gallant fight she passed away from this illness. I know that God put Rafael there with us for that special reason to help us and and be with us at a very sad and hard time. I am so grateful for that!! I will never forget what he did for my mom and will always remember what a very special person he is and I know God has big plans for him to help others just like us. I am so glad he was our nurse! He happened to be my Dad's nurse when he was in the ICU in 2007 and we were so fortunate to have him again in a time when it was most critical to have such a caring and compassionate person to help us. As I thanked him for all he did for my Mom he mentioned to me that his personal goal with each and every patient was to have made his patients a bit more comfortable than when he received them he strives to accomplish this with every patient. I truly believe that he does succeed every time! Thank you Rafael for all you do! We are so grateful that you were there for us!

November 2010: Linda Wolfgram, Palomar Pomerado Hospital

Nomination: This is the final opportunity I have to nominate nurse Linda Wolfgram. She is retiring from the Radiation Therapy department here at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido. She has been my mentor and my very dear friend. She epitomizes compassion, professionalism and gives 1000 percent every day. She inspires our patients and those who have the pleasure to work with her. She will be a tremendous loss to our dept after almost twenty years of service. My name is Jeannine Schattner, I am a member of our nursing team. I have learned so much from this incredible woman. Thank you for considering her for this award that she embodies.

October 2010: Tina Kress, UC San Diego Medical Center

Nomination: I would like to nominate Tina Kress, RN, BSN, CCTC the Transplant
Coordinator from UCSD Medical Center. I donated a kidney to my son in
September 2009. He is from New York and things were not working out for me to go back there, their transplant doctors would not accept me as a
donor. Tina worked with me and the doctors at UCSD Medical Center to
arrange for the surgery to be done out here. She made everything transpire so smoothly and really helped me to understand the process and feel
comfortable about it.

September 2010: Priscilla Penkert RN, CCRN, Rady Children's Hospital

Nomination: I wish to nominate Priscilla Penkert for the CARE Award. Priscilla has worked diligently over the past year to raise the standard of nursing in our unit. Priscilla took on the challenge of obtaining the Pediatric Critical Care Registered Nurse certification and has worked to encourage others to become certifies as well. She coordinated 10 nurses to submit applications to join the American Association of Critical Care Nurses and sign up to take the test. Priscilla then arranged study groups and materials on her own time and to date nine of the original 10 nurses have taken and passed the exam. She has continues to encourage the PICU nurses with their professional development and has begun to lay the ground work for the PICU to apply for the Beacon Award. Priscilla put together a bulletin board promoting certification and also encouraging nurses to attend the National Teaching Institute Critical Care conference. Priscilla does most of this on her own time and with much of her own money, because it's something she truly believes in. Priscilla works to improve patient outcomes, by seeing the big picture of the PICU. She is also a leader in out unit's Healthy Work Environment Committee and has obtained staff feedback on improvements needed in the unit. As part of the committee, Priscilla has worked toward making those improvements.

Priscilla is a great team player, she always has a smile on her face and helps her co-workers with anything they need; from turning a patient or hanging a drip. She is strong advocate for her patients, whether that is to obtain a necessary order from a doctor, or consulting with the ethics committee to ensure the patient's voice is heard. Priscilla also advocated for her co-workers, as shown by obtaining approval for five nurses at to have time off to attend this year's NTI conference and changing the time period that he unit begins summer vacation scheduling to begin the week after the conference ends. She has also been seeking ways to assist nurses with the financial challenge of obtaining certification and attending conferences.

I feel Priscilla is deserving of the CARE Award because she is always a bright star in our unit: encouraging, striving for excellence, advocating whether it is for her patient's or her co-worker's.

May 2010: Barbara Pfeffer, Palomar Pomerado Hospital

Nomination: Barbara has been working two jobs for our unit and has been the glue that has held us all together for almost a year now. She has devoted 30 years to NICU/Pediatrics at Palomar. She truly cares about the patients and staff nurses. At present she is also in school pursuing her BSN degree. Words cannot describe the amount of admiration and respect I have for Barbara as a nurse and professional. She is truly the definition of caring and deserves special recognition for all that she has done and continues to do for our unit.

April 2010: Patti Gregory, Kaiser Permanente San Diego Medical Center

Nomination: Patti represents a true health care professional who puts the patients needs above her own during her work shift. I know from a fact when observing her she is always kind with her patients and tries her best to make her assigned patients comfortable and will even assist coworkers with solving problems
on the nurse's unit. I am also a nurse and have worked with Patti in the past. Patti knows the qualities of a great caring nurse.

March 2010: Midori Schedble, Sharp Memorial Hospital

Nomination: We work in a very fast paced pre-operative/procedural unit. Midori is one of the most compassionate and intelligent nurses I know. Her patients all love her and she is quick to put them and their families/friends at ease during a very stressful time.Midori always places her patients first. They are her top priority no matter what. I have been a nurse for 36 years and in this day and age it is so refreshing to see values maintained by a younger RN...Midori exemplifies the nursing profession in all she does.

February 2010: Cynthia Dullano, Alvarado Hospital

Nomination: Cynthia has graciously stepped into the charge role on a very busy surgical unit. She has excelled in performance to lead and provide guidance to the staff. Cynthia's growth as a professional in the past year has not only benefitted herself but the patients staff and management as well.

January 2010: Cathy Manikan, Pomerado Hospital

Nomination: Cathy is an incredible labor and delivery nurse. She is a wonderful example of how to care for and treat the women who come to the birth center. All with facing the challenges of being a single mom, Cathy handles it all with grace and professionalism!! I love it when Cathy is at work. thanks Cathy!!

December 2009: Martha Love, Veteran's Administrative Hospital San Diego

Nomination: Martha Love, the name says it all. Martha delivers her nursing care with just that: love. She truly enjoys her work and is very kind to our veterans. She always gives 130% of herself and never asks for anything in return. She teaches classes to the staff so that we may become better nurses. She teaches us with kindness and patience, never judging us if we do not know the answer. There are so many things that I can say about Martha Love but it would never be enough. I can say without a doubt that if you are ever in the hospital, you want her as your nurse because if Martha can't do it, then it just simply can't be done. Please pick Martha to win this aware because her selflessness and dedication go far above and beyond the call of duty. I have never met such a giving person with such a kind soul. Thank you for your time.

November 2009: Scharlene Fry, Sharp Grossmont Hospital

Nomination: Scharlene is a very caring person. She is dedicated to her job, nurtures her nursing students, is very supportive to her fellow co-workers, and never fails to take the time to make you feel like you're making a difference in someone's life and that you're appreciated. During her off time, she also devotes energy to making a difference in other people's lives. She was responsible for allocating the funds to give several families in San Diego and in Africa a great Christmas. Scharlene is truly a wonderful nurse, mentor,and friend to work with.

October 2009: Coralie Blasy

Nomination: Coralie Blasy has worked tirelessly as a school nurse for over 20 years. Daily she makes sure every student in her 5 schools has every advantage in having a healthy school career. She ensures that students with complex medical needs have access to community medical resources. She has worked many hours on getting funds and resources to provide students who need glasses, with new glasses, hearing aids, and doctors. Coralie not only provides the extra TLC for the students but also to the staff she works with. Many times she has provided funds from her own pocket to help meet the needs of others. Her quiet, peaceful way has been a strength during difficult times to many of her coworkers. It has been a joy and an honor to work with this wonderful, giving woman. It would make my heart glad to see this fabulous gift be given to her. Please consider her for this wonderful recognition.

September 2009: Joelle Mousa RN

Nomination: I have a son with special needs. He has a feeding tube. He has to get blood drawn regularly and shots monthly. Joelle is always providing us with excellent service. She is always so happy and talks with my son. She gave me her direct number so if I need anything or have questions I can call her directly. My son just loves her. We are so lucky to have Joelle in our lives. It makes going to the doctors more pleasant. Thank you Joelle.