Health System presents “President’s Awards” for exceptional patient care, teamwork and innovation

GREAT NECK, NY – A nurse at the Monter Cancer Center, members of Schneider Children’s Hospital’s Critical Care Unit and the coordinator of Staten Island University Hospital’s Limited English Proficiency program were recently honored as winners of the North Shore-LIJ Health System’s President’s Awards.

In support of this initiative to recognize and reward top performers in its workforce of more than 38,000, North Shore-LIJ invested about $246,000 in this year’s President’s Award program, including awards banquets at the Garden City Hotel, bonuses and prizes – all funded by long-time health system supporters Donald and Barbara Zucker.

North Shore-LIJ Health President and Chief Executive Officer Michael J. Dowling created the President’s Awards in 2007 to honor individuals and teams who demonstrate extraordinary leadership, compassionate care and dedicated service. “So many of our employees, regardless of their job function, go the extra mile when interacting with patients and their families,” he said. “In a people business like healthcare, it’s important to formally acknowledge and reward superior performers. While carrying out their daily responsibilities, our President’s Award winners and nominees inspire everyone to be their best and make a real difference in the lives of our patients, family members and visitors.”

President’s Awards were presented to employees in three categories: exceptional patient experience, teamwork and innovation. Winners were selected by a committee consisting of several North Shore-LIJ senior leaders, as well as representatives from three organizations recognized for service excellence: Frank Castagna, general partner of Fifth Avenue of Long Island Realty Associates, Americana Manhasset; Rebecca Hollander, marketing director, Americana Manhasset; Robert Catell of National Grid; and Cathy Nelkin-Miller and Patrick Smalley of the Garden City Hotel.

Suzanne Ludlum, NP, of Centereach, a nurse practitioner at the Monter Cancer Center in Lake Success who has been associated with North Shore University Hospital for 15 years, was the recipient of the President’s Award for Exceptional Patient Experience, North Shore-LIJ’s highest employee honor.  Ms. Ludlum was among a group of 18 finalists representing each of North Shore-LIJ’s hospitals and other facilities. In recognition of the exemplary care and service she provides to patients and families, Ms. Ludlum received a crystal award, a $10,000 bonus and a seven-day luxury vacation cruise for two to the destination of her choice. The following 17 other finalists also each received a crystal award, a $5,000 bonus, two tickets to a Broadway show and dinner for two:

• Betty Adamson of Valley Stream, a field nurse at Home Care Network, Westbury;
• Jean “Marc” Beaubrun of Queens Village, a nutrition ambassador at Franklin Hospital, Valley Stream;
• Linda Bokor of Forest Hills, a pediatric nurse practitioner at Schneider Children’s Hospital, New Hyde Park;
• Joanna Buchalski of East Setauket, a clerk at Southside Hospital, Bay Shore;
• Daniel Carragino of Port Reading, NJ, a senior occupational therapist at Staten Island University Hospital North – he was named “honorable mention;”
• Cherlita Eton of Elmhurst, a registered nurse at Forest Hills Hospital;
• Ethel Galea of Northport, a lactation coordinator at Huntington Hospital;
• Annette Geiss of Glen Cove, an administrative coordinator at The Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, Manhasset;
• Laura Haladay of Smithtown, a physical therapist at Glen Cove Hospital;
• Milton Jackson of Queens, a hospice aide with the Hospice Care Network, Woodbury;
• Carol Panick of Seaford, a unit receptionist at LIJ Medical Center, New Hyde Park;
• Marisol Salcedo of New City, a quality management and safety coordinator at the Orzac Center for Extended Care and Rehabilitation, Valley Stream;
• Winifred Scaduto of Red Bank, NJ, a dietary worker at Staten Island University Hospital South;
• Linda Sisco of Farmingdale, a registered nurse at Syosset Hospital;
• Gracy Thomas of New Hyde Park, a social worker at The Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks;
• Joanne Turnier of Hicksville, a clinical nurse specialist at North Shore University Hospital, Manhasset; and
• Corinne Wyllins of Plainview, a registered nurse at Plainview Hospital.

North Shore-LIJ’s President’s Award for Innovation was given to Celina Ramsey of Staten Island, coordinator of the Limited English Proficiency program at Staten Island University Hospital North, who developed a model program for communicating with non-English speaking individuals. In honor of her achievements, Ms. Ramsey received a crystal award, a $10,000 bonus and dinner for two.

The President’s Award for Teamwork was presented to a team in Schneider Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Led by Peter Silver, MD, of Laurel Hollow, the team implemented new processes and procedures to significantly reduce the risk of infections. In recognition of its work, the team received a crystal award, a $10,000 bonus was divided equally among them, and each received dinner for two. Besides Dr. Silver, team members included: Nancy Abbene of Centerport, Jessica Berrios of Woodhaven, Ann McGrath and Susan Nullet, both of Massapequa Park, Kathleen Schmidt of Levittown, and Ann Shea of Whitestone.

Media Contact: Terry Lynam

516-465-2600
tlynam@nshs.edu