Carl Bolstad, RN; Sharon Kavanaugh, RN; Robin Merante, RN; Raymundo Mingua, RN, BSN, CEN; Susan Sparacino, RN, MSN, Arlene Walch, RN, MSN; and Leitha Pierro, RN, BSN, MS, CPHQ, NEA-BC and Vice President for Patient and Clinical Operations, will be cited by Hudson Valley Magazine for excellence in nursing.
The awards will be given May 12 at the Grandview in Poughkeepsie, NY.
"They have been called guardian angels, miracle workers, friendly faces, and lifelines in time of crisis," read the award citation.
"They have pursued higher degrees to stay in the forefront of their profession. They have set the bar higher for themselves and those with whom they work," read the citation.
Pierro is called the "nurse's nurse" at Columbia Memorial and will be cited as one of the top twenty
nurses at the awards ceremony.
"Throughout her 32-year career from candy striper to Vice President of Patient and Clinical Operations, Pierro has always made sure the patient comes first. That concern is what motivates her to encourage all staff to advance their degrees," read the citation.
Committed to making her nurses' lives a little easier Pierro has driven the nurse-to-patient ratio to 5:1. An equally strong leader in the community, Pierro chaperones ski school, serves on the Board of the Columbia County Healthcare Consortium, as a voice at the Community Hospice, and on the advisory board and as a nurse advocate at Columbia-Greene Community College.
"Needless to say, we are very excited about these awards of excellence for these outstanding nurses," said Jane Ehrlich, CEO of Columbia Memorial.
"Their commitment to safety and dignified care are what make Columbia Memorial one of the top healthcare institutions in the Hudson Valley."
"They have long been recognized as outstanding nurses at Columbia Memorial Hospital, but it is truly gratifying to see them recognized in the greater region.," said Ehrlich.
