Reading Hospital announced the annual nursing award winners Thursday at its 8th Annual Nursing Awards Gala at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel in Reading.
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 Mary Agnew, Senior Vice President, and Chief Nursing Officer, Tower Health.
"The awards are a chance to celebrate the accomplishments and share the stories of nurses at Tower Health," said Agnew. "Individual nurses, support staff, and teams were nominated by colleagues who submitted stories, cards, letters, unit outcomes, and other evidence to provide examples of how the nominee exemplifies the award."
The Hemodialysis Unit in Critical Care was honored as the winner of the new 2018 Reading Experience Award, recognizing an individual or group exemplifying the mission, vision, and values of Reading Hospital. The Hemodialysis Unit and Trudy Demko, MD, were recognized for their work ethic when they unexpectedly lost a colleague and were able to rally together to continue providing excellent, compassionate care to their patients.
Fourteen additional honors recognizing excellence in clinical practice, quality, safety, community outreach, service, leadership, and innovation were awarded to individuals, groups, and departments including:
Innovation Award: COACH Nurses, Critical Care, Medical Intensive Care Unit
Innovation and creativity by an individual, unit/department, or team resulting in improved outcomes related to patient quality/safety, patient/family satisfaction, operational efficiency, workplace/staff satisfaction, or professional development; innovation supports and/or advances Reading Hospital mission, vision, and standards.
Transformational Leadership – Advance Practice Nurse Award: Rachel Bott, MSN, CRNP, CNOR - Pre-Admission Testing
Nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, nurse anesthetist, or clinical nurse specialist who consistently demonstrates clinical and professional excellence and whose practice exemplifies the nursing professional practice model and mission, vision, and values of Reading Hospital.
Excellence in Quality and Safety Award: Heather Kleinginna, RN, CMSRN - T3 Nursing Unit
Quality and safety in nursing practice and in support of Reading Hospital's mission, vision, and priority quality initiatives.
Transformational Leadership – Nurse Administrator Award: Thea Burke, MSN, RN - T1 Nursing Unit
Administrative nurse leader in transformational leadership that engages others around a shared vision, achievement of optimal outcomes, and contribution to Reading Hospital's mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
Excellence in Professional Development Award: Melissa Armstrong, MS, RN, GCNS-BC, CMSRN - Professional Development
Nurse exhibiting excellence in the role of teacher and/or mentor of patients and families, healthcare professionals, and/or students.
Transformational Leadership – Clinical RN Award: Ashly Nolt, BSN, RN, CAPA - The Reading Hospital SurgiCenter at Spring Ridge
Administrative nurse leader in recognition of transformational leadership that engages others around a shared vision, achievement of optimal outcomes, and contribution to Reading Hospital's mission, vision, and strategic priorities.
Excellence in Evidence-Based Practice and Research Award: Emergency Division EBP Research Council - Emergency Department
Registered nurse or nursing group demonstrating a strong sense of inquiry, and who actively seeks and uses evidence to improve nursing practice, nursing education, or patient outcomes. The award recognizes an individual (or group) who has contributed to the advancement of nursing science and professional practice through the use of Evidence-Based Practice and/or Nursing Research.
RBC Spirit of Caring Award: Heather Melley, PCA II - T2 Nursing Unit
Exhibits exemplary caring practice and commitment to applying the principles of Relationship-Based Care (RBC) in the care of patients and families, community, and colleagues.
Excellence in Clinical Support Award: Briel Raifsnider, PCA II - N2S Nursing Unit
Provides outstanding patient care and support of Reading Hospital's mission, vision, and standards.
Interprofessional Colleague Collaboration Award: Anne Sam and Nancy Miranda - Environmental Services
Non-nursing individual, department, or team demonstrating excellence in support of clinical nursing staff to provide outstanding care to patients, families, and visitors, and achievement of Reading Hospital's mission, vision, and standards.
Interprofessional Team Collaboration Award: Tower Health Medical Group Street Medicine: Eugene York, MD; Sarah Luber, DO; Anthony Donato, MD; William Finneran, MD; Julian Diaz-Fraga, MD; Tracey Davidheiser (core nurse); and volunteers Roseann Mucci, Nursing; Jim Helms, Pharmacy; Lois Wade, Nursing Administration; Lisa Lakeman, CDE, RN; Dana Allen, CDE, RN; Tom Smith, Patient Access; Kevin Naugle, DPM
Non-nursing individual, department, or team demonstrating excellence in support of clinical nursing staff to provide outstanding care to patients, families, and visitors, and achievement of Reading Hospital's mission, vision, and standards.
Rising Star Award: Elizabeth Burkey, PCA II - C3 Nursing Unit
Nursing student who commits to academic, clinical, and professional excellence with the potential to make significant contributions to nursing in the delivery of patient care.
Physician Collaboration Award: Matthew Nolan, MD - Cardiovascular Interventional Radiology Services
A physician who collaborates with nurses toward the goal of achieving excellence in patient care outcomes and other health system strategic priorities.
Unit Professional Excellence Award: Cardiovascular Interventional Radiology Services
Nursing unit or department with 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.
Nominees for the different awards were chosen by experts, teams, and councils in the given area of expertise. More than 150 individuals took part in the selection process.
Reading Hospital
Reading Hospital is the flagship, Magnet Recognized, acute care hospital of Tower Health. Located in West Reading, Pa., Reading Hospital is a 714-bed hospital that is home to many top-tier specialty care centers, including Reading HealthPlex, McGlinn Cancer Institute, Miller Regional Heart Center, Emergency Department, Level I Trauma Center and Beginnings Maternity Center, which houses the region's only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). With more than 1,000 physicians, specialists, and advanced practice providers across 49 locations, Reading Hospital has been recognized for its quality outcomes and clinical expertise across services lines. It is listed as one of America's 100 Best Hospitals for four consecutive years and received a 5-Star Rating from CMS two years in a row. For more information, visit towerhealth.org.