Pottstown Hospital announced the annual Nursing Excellence Award winners during the recent annual Nursing Week.
“The nursing excellence awards program recognizes nurses, nursing support staff, and colleagues for their contribution to achieving excellence in clinical practice, quality, safety, community outreach, service, leadership, and innovation,” said Ann Blankenhorn, DNP, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, vice president and chief nursing officer, Pottstown Hospital.
"The awards are a chance to celebrate the accomplishments and share the stories of nurses at Pottstown Hospital," said Blankenhorn. "Individual nurses, support staff, and teams were nominated by colleagues who submitted stories, cards, letters, unit outcomes, and other evidence to provide examples of the how the nominee exemplifies the award."
Seven honors recognizing excellence in clinical practice, education, quality, safety, collaboration, leadership, and compassion were awarded to individuals and teams, including:
- Excellence in Clinical Support Award - Kathy Buehler, CNA, 6th Floor
- Excellence in Nursing Practice Award - Julie Rexrode, MSN, RN, RN-BC, Orthopedics
- Excellence in Education Award - Christian Walsh, RN, 5th Floor
- Relationship Based Care - Spirit of Caring Award - Rita Rhoads, CNA, Orthopedics
- Excellence in Interdisciplinary/Interdepartmental Collaboration - Individual/Team - Monica Kwan-Consigli, PA-C, and Fran Salkowski, RN, Employee Health
- Physician/APP Collaboration Award - Elijah Chumo, CRNP, Hospitalist
- Transformational Leadership - Clinical Nurse Leader - Judd Strauss, MSN, RN, CNL, 5th Floor/Orthopedics
Pottstown Hospital called for Nursing Award Nominations earlier this year for the different awards. These nursing individuals or teams exemplify a commitment to professionalism, professional development, achievement of organizational outcomes, advancement of nursing clinical and professional practice excellence, and contributions that support health system mission, vision, standards, and strategic priorities. Award winners were chosen by a committee of their peers.
About Pottstown Hospital
Located in Pottstown, Pa., and a member of Tower Health, Pottstown Hospital is a 219-bed hospital that offers a full range of health services, including inpatient and outpatient, medical and surgical, and diagnostic and emergency care. Accredited by The Joint Commission, Pottstown Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across many service lines. The hospital is Joint Commission-certified for hip and knee replacement and is also an accredited Chest Pain Center. Recently, Pottstown Hospital was recognized as a recipient of the 2020 Get With The Guidelines®-Stroke Gold Plus & Target: Stroke Honor Roll Elite Award by the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. For more information, visit Pottstown Hospital.