Five St. Peter’s Health Partners nurses were honored for nursing excellence in the Capital Region through the Times Union’s “Salute to Nurses.”
Presented by St. Peter’s Health Partners and sponsored by Excelsior College as part of the 2105 National Nurses Week (May 6-12), “Salute to Nurses” was created to honor the profession of nursing and the outstanding men and women who represent nursing excellence in the Capital Region. A ceremony was held on Friday, May 8, 2015 to recognize the winning nurses.
Three SPHP nurses were named a “2015 Nurse of the Year,” an honor reserved for just 10 Capital Region nurses: Christine Martin, MS, RN, CNS, of Albany Memorial and Samaritan hospitals; Gay-Star McFarland, RN, of Eddy Senior Care; and Lisa Van Wormer, RN, OCN, CWCN, of St. Peter’s Hospital. They were selected from more than 560 nominations submitted to the Times Union by the public.
Also honored as “2015 Nurse of the Year Finalists” were George Horn, RN, of St. Peter’s Hospital, and Kayla Bidwell, RN, of Samaritan Hospital. Only 25 finalists were chosen from all nominations.
“Lisa and George embody the extraordinary compassion and dedication that characterize so many nurses,” said Dr. Ann Errichetti, CEO of St. Peter’s and Albany Memorial hospitals and vice president for Acute Care Albany at SPHP. “Congratulations to them both and the other nominees, and to all the nurses at St. Peter’s Health Partners. Thank you for all you do each day for our patients and for St. Peter’s.”
“Congratulations to all the nurses nominated for the Salute to Nurses awards,” said Norman E. Dascher Jr., CEO of Samaritan and St. Mary’s hospitals and vice president for Acute Care Troy at SPHP. “Kayla and Chris are superb examples of the caring, compassionate and professional nurses we are fortunate to have at Samaritan Hospital and St. Peter’s Health Partners.”
“Congratulations, Gay-Star! A well-deserved recognition for Eddy SeniorCare’s ‘stealth’ nurse who is always there quietly taking care of and supporting the interdisciplinary team, nursing peers and most importantly our participants and their families. Kudos!” said Bernadette Hallam, executive director of Eddy Senior Care/PACE.
“Salute to Nurses” honors nurses for their extraordinarily selfless contributions, impact on quality of life for their patients and their passion for the nursing profession. Nurses were nominated by their peers, colleagues, supervisors, patients, and the families of patients.
