1. Celebrating Our Ethical
Practice and Quality Care
Welcome to the Nurses Week edition of Momentum! Each year during
National Nurses Week, Momentum focuses on positive stories about
nursing at Kennedy and is filled with photos of members of our nursing
team. Nurses Week is another opportunity for us to celebrate nursing
excellence, to thank you, and to recognize the value you bring to our
patients, families and our communities.
This year,the American Nurses Association’s theme for National Nurses Week
speaks to ethical practice and quality care. Ethical practice is about
demonstrating values in the care of your patients – Kennedy’s values center
around innovation, respect, integrity, service, pride and excellence. These
values radiate from the Kennedy Nursing Professional Practice Model. The
foundation of nursing care at Kennedy Health is deeply seeded in quality and
evidence-based practice standards. Clearly, nursing at Kennedy has both the
threads of ethical and quality practice weaved into patient care.
This Spring, classes about the framework used to provide nursing care at
Kennedy, Relationship-Based Care Model, will begin. Relationship-based
care is built upon principles that encourage engagement of healthcare
providers and leaders throughout the organization, and promote exemplary
performance.Relationships are patient-centered,grounded in mutual respect
and encompass patients, families, the healthcare team, and one’s self.
Nightingale’s and Watson’s theories are aligned with Relationship-Based
Care concepts and also with Kennedy’s Philosophy of Nursing and the
organization’s mission, vision, and values. Through this model, Kennedy
nurses serve as patient advocates, putting the patient and family at the
center of our work.We strive to make a difference in the lives of those we
touch each day.
During National Nurses Week, we celebrate each and every one of you
for the hard work and dedication you show year-round. Enjoy the
festivities at all our Kennedy facilities! Thank you.
Helene M. Burns, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
Chief Nurse Executive
Kennedy Health
N E W S F O R A N D A B O U T
K E N N E D Y H E A LT H S Y S T E M N U R S E S
S P R I N G
2015
2. 2 Interested in contributing to Nursing Momentum? Have a comment or question about
Teamwork by Alice Farrell, MSN, RN
Corporate Director of Nursing for
Critical and Emergency Services
The Power of
Washington Township resident Paul Bechtelheimer
wasn’t sure what was happening with his health
when the flu-like symptoms he was experiencing
in March 2014 didn’t improve after a week. In good
overall health, he went to an area urgent care center,
where he was transferred by ambulance to Kennedy
– Washington Township’s ED.
There, he was met by Dr. Neelesh Parikh, Dr.Themy
Ngo and RNs Stephanie Hazleton, who recognized
the seriousness of his illness – which met sepsis
criteria. Sepsis bundle was immediately initiated
by RNs Rob Knab, and Jaclyn Salera, and Paul
received several liters of IVF & IV antibiotics, as
doctors aggressively attempted to locate the
source of infection. (It was later determined to
have resulted from a kidney stone).
Paul was subsequently transferred to WT - ICU,
where he ultimately required mechanical ventilation
and blood pressure support. Although he has
minimal recollection of his hospital stay, Paul’s
wife, Chris, was at his bedside nearly non-stop and
was aware of his potentially poor prognosis. While
Paul was in Critical Care, the following RNs helped
care for him, and offered support to his family:
Stephanie Marrucci, Lisa Ingling, Christina
Goehringer, Joy Pezzato, Regina Siegfried,
Renee Stephens, Marie James, Rob Levin,
Diana OHaus, and Rich Wetzel, RN, along with
Techs Karen Scimeca and Guiteau Badio.
During his week in the ICU, Paul and his family
members formed a bond with Kennedy staff, who
celebrated his birthday on March 3rd by singing
“Happy Birthday.” One year later – March 3, 2015,
Paul – who has made a full recovery – returned to
the hospital to show his appreciation and gratitude
for the excellent care he received. While he doesn’t
remember much of his stay, he’s learned a great deal
about those teneous days by way of a journal his
wife kept during his illness.
Addressing the hospital staff on his 61st birthday
during an informal celebration that brought equal
measures of smiles and tears, Paul said,“People
don’t realize what it’s like to go through something
like this and how it changes your perspective.
You just want to give back in some small way to
these heroes.”
Shown at Paul’s birthday celebration on March 3,2015
are,from left: Linda Jatzke,WT-ICU Nurse Manager;
Paul Bechtelheimer; Alice Farrell; Dean Auer,WT Guest
Services Manager; and Jim Mullen,Chief Nursing
Officer and Chief Administrative Officer at Kennedy –
Washington Township.
3. 3a story? Contact Helene Burns at 346-7802 or via email: h.burns@kennedyhealth.org
ach May, during Nurses Week, we celebrate
nurses here at Kennedy.While the organization
recognizes all of its nurses, I wanted to develop
a unit-based recognition award for a Medical
Surgical nurse on my units. Nurses are some of
the most exceptionable people you will encounter.They have
qualities many of us aspire to: they are compassionate, ethical,
honest, and committed to their patients. Nursing is one of the
most honorable professions I can think of.
In February 2013, we lost Beth Petrakis, RN, who succumbed
after a courageous five-year battle with cancer. From the time
of her diagnosis, Beth never failed to provide her patients with
outstanding care – night in and
night out. On many nights, I’m sure
she felt physically worse that many
of the people she cared for – but
not once did Beth complain or
share her burden with them. Just a
remarkable nurse!
This award gave us a tremendous
opportunity to recognize a staff
member in Beth’s honor, and during
Nurses week 2014, the RNs on our
units selected Pat McConaghy, RN, CMSRN; (night shift) and
Jaime Wisniewski, RN, CMSRN; (day shift) as the inaugural
winners of the annual Beth Petrakis Award.
by Bill Quick, RN, BSN
Nurse Manager
M/S Units - Stratford
THE BETH PETRAKIS AWARD
E AWARD CRITERIA
• Has a genuine passion for nursing
as witnessed as: serving his/ her
patients in tireless manner.
• Displays a real care and concern
for others as witnessed by: finds
time to sit with a patient to allay
fears and concerns, talks with
family/ significant other to lessen
anxiety/ worry over loved one’s
illness.
• A friend in deed: always willing
to assist colleague with their
assignment, or listen if they are
having personal issues.
• Professional Giant: someone who
cherishes being a registered nurse
as much as Beth did.
Recognition
4. 4
EXEMPLIFY PROFESSIONALISM,CARING AND
COMPASSION. NURSES WEEK IS A TIME TO
PAUSE AND REFLECT ON THE TREMENDOUS
DEDICATION, CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AND
SPIRIT OF TEAMWORK THEY BRING TO THEIR
WORKPLACES...DAY IN AND DAY OUT!
THANK YOU AND HAPPY NURSES WEEK!
KENNEDY
NURSES
Photography by Donna Connor
6. To: Joe Devine
President & CEO
I am writing about my recent stay at Kennedy -
Cherry Hill. From my entry in the Emergency
Department,the Registration staff was very prompt;
the triage the nurse was also prompt and caring.
Although there were no immediately available
beds in the ED, she did offer a stretcher in the
triage room, as I was too uncomfortable to return
to the waiting room.
On the inpatient side, Alicia Francis, BSN, RN
deserves high praises for her compassionate and
professional nursing care. At the beginning of every
shift,she performed a thorough nursing assessment
and gave me a briefing on the plan for my care.
I presume that, with her skills and personality, she
would be an outstanding mentor to new staff and
students. Chris Reardon, BSN, RN, also deserves
recognition and praise. I needed multiple doses of
medications for breakthrough pain, and he was
amazingly efficient at making that happen. I also
received excellent care from Eileen Uzosike-Sunday,
RN, CNORN; Aubrey Chase, BSN, RN; and Judy
Aulisio,RN,as well as from OR Tech Ruth Greenlee.
One of the first things I learned in the medical
profession was that it is an honor and privilege to
be asked to care for a colleague.The trust in the
medical and nursing staff of Kennedy Health was
forged during a long Residency, and for this reason,
we have bypassed other facilities to come to
Kennedy for our care.
Rudolph D. Bescherer, Jr., DO, FACOEP
To: WT Chief Administrative Officer Jim Mullen, MS,
RN, NEA-BC, FACHE, and Chief Nurse Executive
Helene Burns, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
I want to relay a tremendous act of kindness
displayed by the nursing staff that I was fortunate
enough to witness. I was rounding on MS3 during
the night shift, when Kelsey O’Neil, BSN, RN, asked
me if I knew of a way to contact a priest. Her patient,
who was on comfort care, had taken a sudden turn
for the worse and the patient’s family had asked for
pastoral care to perform last rites. After Kelsey had
paged the on-call priest twice without success,
she contacted the nursing supervisor for support.
While the nursing supervisor and fellow nursing
staff (who showed great teamwork during this
shift) did attempt to assist in the matter, Kelsey
took matters into her own hands. She contacted
her own pastor, who fortunately, lives close to the
Washington Township campus, and was able to
come and perform last rites for this dying patient.
This family was facing one of the most trying times
in their life and she went ‘above and beyond’for
them. Kelsey displayed her caring nature, intellect
and critical thinking skills in order to provide the
best patient care and help to make an important
transition a bit more peaceful.
Regards,
Maria T. Pauciello, RN, BSN, CMSRN
Clinical Quality Manager
To: Marilyn Goodman, RN, CNORN
Executive Director - Kennedy Surgical Center
I recently had surgery with Dr. Dan Becker at
the Kennedy Surgical Center. I was thoroughly
impressed with the facilities and services provided.
The staff was comprised of the friendliest, most
qualified individuals I have ever encountered in
any profession. Everyone knew what needed to
be done, and did it with compassion and a smile.
I would like to personally thank two nurses who
really had a positive impact on my experience:
Elizabeth Liquori, BSN, RN, and Maria Gagliardi,
BSN, RN. I am very thankful to everyone at the
Kennedy Surgical Center.
Regards,
Craig Mullen
atientsARE GRATEFUL!
OUR
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7. To: Helene Burns, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
Chief Nurse Executive
Twelve days ago we welcomed our baby girl into the
world at another hospital. But last night, our world
was turned upside down when my wife awoke with
severe vaginal bleeding. We called 911 and she
was quickly transferred to Kennedy-Washington
Township. From the moment we walked in the ED
door, the nursing staff was prepared and worked
quickly to calm my wife. The generosity and
outstanding clinical care was apparent in such a
hectic environment. My wife was stabilized and
immediately taken into surgery.
The care on the second floor was outstanding. The
Mother/Baby Unit nursing staff went out of their
way to teach me the mechanics of a breast pump
while my wife was in surgery. Since my wife is a
Pediatric Critical Care nurse, it is always a challenge
with her knowledge base. Your team was excellent!
Sincerely,
Anthony Canora
To: Alice Farrell, MSN, RN, CEN
A visitor in PCU with a headache and vomiting was
taken to the ED for what turned into an amazing
Neuro OR case. The patient complained to her
husband’s nurse, who then called the charge nurse.
Becky Berry, RN, CMSRN, called to tell me she was
taking the visitor to the ED. A stroke alert was called
and this visitor-turned-patient was in the OR within
the hour. It was beautifully done. Guest Services
Manager Dean Auer and I took care of the family
so that everyone’s needs were met. I am happy
to say when I visited her, she was sitting up in bed
awake and alert. She and her family couldn’t be
happier with the entire experience. The PCU, ED
and MICU, as well as our on-call team, were
instrumental in this amazing outcome.
Michele Wolf, RN
Nursing Supervisor
To: Marianne Kraemer, Ed.M, MPA, BSN, RN, CCRN
Chief Nurse Officer,Stratford
As the Nurse Practitioner assigned to ST for the
Transitions of Care program, I have nothing but
wonderful things to say about Kennedy -
Stratford’s nurses and clinical staff. I have only
been here since January 2015, but already see
Kennedy’s nurses and clinical staff as kind, caring
and highly professional. I have worked in other
organizations and truly can see the difference here!
Rosemary Serock, MSN, RN, CRNP
To: Colleen Casper, MBA, MSN, RN
Nurse Manager – WT ED
I was recently admitted to Kennedy-Washington
Township’s Emergency Department. I was lucky to
be cared for by Mike Nosal, RN. He was the most
professional, caring and attentive person! No
request bothered him. I have severe hearing loss,
and he took time to make sure I understood
everything he was doing. I cannot say enough
good things about Nurse Mike. He was a bright
spot in an otherwise dreary situation.Thank you!
Sincerely,
A Grateful Patient
To: Steve D’Ambra, RN
CH ED Nurse Manager
My husband was brought into the ED today. From
the time he arrived, he was treated with respect
and care. Kristy Meglino, RN, was wonderful and a
pleasure to be around. She did not judge him, or in
any way make him feel uncomfortable. My husband
was able to relax and admit he had a problem and
needed help. We want to thank her and everyone in
the ED – they turned a bad experience into a good
one. Kristy takes pride in her job and truly cares
about her patients – she is an asset to your hospital!
Sincerely,
A Grateful Couple
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RECOGNIZING OUR PROFESSIONALISM, CARING AND COMPASSION
8. Published by the Kennedy
Marketing Department
Executive Editor
Helene M. Burns, MSN, RN, NEA-BC
Chief Nursing Executive
Kennedy Health
Editor
Nicole Pensiero
Corporate Director, Communications
Editorial Advisory Board
Dana Earley
Corporate Manager, Communications
Marianne Kraemer, RN, EdM,
MPA, CCRN
Chief Nursing Officer, Stratford
Jacqueline Maddison, BSN, NE-BC
Chief Nursing Officer, Cherry Hill
Martin Manno, MSN, RN,
APN-BC, CEN
Corporate Director, Clinical Education
& Professional Development
Jim Mullen, MS, RN, FACHE,
NEA-BC
Chief Administrative & Chief Nursing
Officer, Washington Township
1099 White Horse Road
Voorhees, NJ 08043
8
National Nurses Week 2015
Ethical Practice & Quality Care
Kennedy Celebrates National Nurses Week from May 4 – May 8th.
This National Nurses Week logo has been developed by the
American Nurses Association (ANA) to celebrate nurses and all that they do.
We are proud to call ourselves“Kennedy Nurses”and to celebrate
National Nurses Week with you.
Thank you for all you do for patient care!
Sincerely,
The Nurse Executive Committee
