Gretchen Marino
April 2013
Gretchen
Marino
,
RN,
Basking Ridge Ambulatory
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York
,
NY
United States
Submitted by colleague:
I have had the honor and pleasure of working with Gretchen Marino for almost 16 years. She is a very devoted RN and cares not only for the patients, but her co-workers. She has a strong work ethic and always does the right thing. I can always ask her for help and she would be right there to help me. Her patients love and trust her as much as her co- workers. She inspires us to be better people and nurses.
Every so often, no matter how good we are, as nurses, at fending off what comes our way, life throws a curve ball at us that we just weren't expecting. It can have long reaching and everlasting affects on a person and family. It can change us forever. Lucky for me when that occurred in my life, Gretchen was there to catch me and help guide me through. It was about 3 years ago that my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 esophagus cancer. Pretty much everyone who works here knows that it's a death sentence and the cancer itself can be very aggressive. I went from co-worker and nurse to caregiver and "the patient's family" in a millisecond. Everything I knew about this disease frightened me beyond belief. Gretchen was always there for me.... She held my hand when I cried, answered my questions (some I didn't realize I had!), and used her expert knowledge and experience to help me navigate the cancer web. Gretchen found me hope when I was hopeless. She knew how to turn a tear into a smile with her tender compassionate care and understanding. She would reach out to me during some of the most difficult times as my husband's disease progressed. She helped prepare us emotionally and support us through his transition into hospice care.
Throughout my husband's disease, Gretchen would encourage us to live for the day and be grateful for all the moments we had together. She always showed patience with us. She always made us feel as though we were her first and only priority. I never felt alone because of Gretchen. Losing my husband was the single most difficult journey in my life. It was Gretchen who lit the path, gave me the insight I needed to help my husband, built me up when I was crumbling and never let me falter right till the end. Gretchen epitomizes what this award symbolizes and as a coworker and "the patient's family" I will always be one of her biggest fans. Life may have thrown me a curve ball, but I was able to hit it out of the park because of Gretchen.
Submitted by colleague:
I have had the privilege of working with Gretchen Marino, RN at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Basking Ridge for more than four years. To me, she exemplifies the qualities that make her the perfect candidate to receive the DAISY Award for excellence in nursing. Gretchen immediately connects with her patients and their families upon their first meeting, inviting them to become an integral part of the treatment team, empowering them along the way as they begin their cancer journey together. It is evident that Gretchen instills a sense of trust in her patients and their families through her deep compassion and constant presence throughout the cancer continuum. Gretchen provides patient/families with emotional support by giving a part of her so effortlessly and graciously to all she meets. For me, an oncology social worker, having Gretchen Marino, RN on my team is an automatic homerun!
Submitted by colleague:
I met Gretchen Marino, RN over 6 years ago at the grand opening of MSKCC in Basking Ridg. At that time, I was a new hire to MSKCC and in a relatively new position, triage RN at MSKCC BR site. Since day one here, I noticed Gretchen with a smile on every morning and her melodic voice which brings peace to a busy day. I have also witnessed Gretchen treat every patient in her practice with respect, she provides her patients with her undivided attention, and as if they were the only patient during a busy clinic. Gretchen was one of my first mentors and helped me on a daily basis with symptom management in caring for our medical oncology population. It is because of her I have transformed from novice to expert. She exemplifies what an MSKCC RN "is" by her gentle interactions with patients, knowledge in head and neck cancer, and kindness to colleagues.
Submitted by colleague:
Gretchen Marino has an unflappable demeanor, warm smile and a readiness to help. I should know, as a nurse that recently transferred from Main Campus to Basking Ridge I had a lot of questions! Gretchen is a wealth of information and she brings that to work every day. Since she is one of the original nurses to open this regional location she brings the value of being here at the start. I have relied on her clinical advice and expertise since the day I got here. I have witnessed her ability to move quickly through a busy clinic as the OPN to the chief attending, without seeming to be in a rush with patients.
She gives the 1:1 care and listening that patients love her for. She never turns away an opportunity to help others which makes her the ideal nurse to have on your team. I recently had the opportunity to meet with her and plan our Certified Nurses Day Celebration...we needed a volunteer to pick up the balloons...so Gretchen said she would go to the dollar store in the morning before work. That's Gretchen!
Submitted by colleague:
Gretchen was one of my first preceptors in the office practice. She is always patient,calm, willing to answer questions and very helpful. She knows her practice inside and out and has exemplary relationships with her patients. I feel very grateful to work with her and hope to continue to learn from her extensive experience.
Submitted by colleague Jamie Mastrodomenico, RN:
Gretchen has been an inspiration to her peers in her role on the BSK RRR committee. She acted as co-chair of the committee and did an amazing job of organizing regular activities to show staff how appreciated they are. Nurses Week at BSK was awesome- Gretchen helped plan some sort of activity or event for each day to acknowledge her colleagues and the hard work they do each day. Gretchen has a positive attitude and does a great job of recognizing her colleagues and helping them feel appreciated in their jobs at BSK. She definitely deserves the DAISY Award!
Submitted by patient:
This is not just one situation- it is every visit and I have been seeing Gretchen for 5 years!!! She knows my entire family from visits (they accompany me periodically). She always asks for them & my grandchildren. She and the doctor work so well together, it is like they are one person. I have had 3 occurances and each time she has given me support like my own daughters. P.S. Each visit, I get a hug and a kiss.
Submitted by Nurse Leader:
I would like to take the chance to bring to your notice the dedication and the level of commitment that Gretchen demonstrates. She is a positive role model for her peers on her unit and throughout the facility. She is devoted to teaching her patients and extending her clinical expertise to her colleagues. She personifies patient-focused care, and practices customized care based on individuality and the expectations of each, individual patient.
As the NL at BR it is apparent that much of the staff looks up to Gretchen as a leader and a mentor. She creates a positive and inclusive work environment, and creates an atmosphere of mutual teamwork and support.
In the most challenging situations, she is always the person that can handle the most difficult task with a positive attitude and the utmost efficiency. The majority of Ms. Marino's patients are in the head and neck population. As most patients do, this patient population presents with additional challenges. Ms. Marino does an excellent job of coordinating care, providing compassion, and offering encouragement on their journey. Her level of commitment is evident in her everyday practice.
Gretchen Marino exemplifies professional practice, compassion and the highest level of excellent interpersonal skills.
Submitted by colleague:
I have worked with Gretchen Marino for the past 6 years. When I came to Memorial she oriented me to the medical oncology service at Denville and then at Basking Ridge. Gretchen truly was a role model for me to emulate as a nurse who had worked many years in administration and was now returning to patient care. On a daily basis she cares for her patients with compassion and understanding. She is there for them and their families through every step of their journey. Her knowledge base in oncology is immeasurable. She is an important resource not only to the patients but her co-workers as well. I watched her and the relationships she had with her patients. She brings joy to each and every one of them. I watch patients come in with emotional and physical pain and they leave clinic feeling better just for being with Gretchen. Very few people can help others with just a smile or touch.
As one of her peers I know that Gretchen is always available for me personally and professionally. No matter how busy she is she will stop and help other nurses if needed. She always has a positive attitude. She faces each day with enthusiasm and a love of nursing. She is an asset to Memorial, her co-workers and her patients and families.
As we continue on our path to Magnet, Gretchen should be seen as a role model for every nurse at Memorial. She demonstrates the attributes necessary to reach Magnet status through her commitment to co-workers and through the relationship based care she delivers.
I have had the honor and pleasure of working with Gretchen Marino for almost 16 years. She is a very devoted RN and cares not only for the patients, but her co-workers. She has a strong work ethic and always does the right thing. I can always ask her for help and she would be right there to help me. Her patients love and trust her as much as her co- workers. She inspires us to be better people and nurses.
Every so often, no matter how good we are, as nurses, at fending off what comes our way, life throws a curve ball at us that we just weren't expecting. It can have long reaching and everlasting affects on a person and family. It can change us forever. Lucky for me when that occurred in my life, Gretchen was there to catch me and help guide me through. It was about 3 years ago that my husband was diagnosed with stage 4 esophagus cancer. Pretty much everyone who works here knows that it's a death sentence and the cancer itself can be very aggressive. I went from co-worker and nurse to caregiver and "the patient's family" in a millisecond. Everything I knew about this disease frightened me beyond belief. Gretchen was always there for me.... She held my hand when I cried, answered my questions (some I didn't realize I had!), and used her expert knowledge and experience to help me navigate the cancer web. Gretchen found me hope when I was hopeless. She knew how to turn a tear into a smile with her tender compassionate care and understanding. She would reach out to me during some of the most difficult times as my husband's disease progressed. She helped prepare us emotionally and support us through his transition into hospice care.
Throughout my husband's disease, Gretchen would encourage us to live for the day and be grateful for all the moments we had together. She always showed patience with us. She always made us feel as though we were her first and only priority. I never felt alone because of Gretchen. Losing my husband was the single most difficult journey in my life. It was Gretchen who lit the path, gave me the insight I needed to help my husband, built me up when I was crumbling and never let me falter right till the end. Gretchen epitomizes what this award symbolizes and as a coworker and "the patient's family" I will always be one of her biggest fans. Life may have thrown me a curve ball, but I was able to hit it out of the park because of Gretchen.
Submitted by colleague:
I have had the privilege of working with Gretchen Marino, RN at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Basking Ridge for more than four years. To me, she exemplifies the qualities that make her the perfect candidate to receive the DAISY Award for excellence in nursing. Gretchen immediately connects with her patients and their families upon their first meeting, inviting them to become an integral part of the treatment team, empowering them along the way as they begin their cancer journey together. It is evident that Gretchen instills a sense of trust in her patients and their families through her deep compassion and constant presence throughout the cancer continuum. Gretchen provides patient/families with emotional support by giving a part of her so effortlessly and graciously to all she meets. For me, an oncology social worker, having Gretchen Marino, RN on my team is an automatic homerun!
Submitted by colleague:
I met Gretchen Marino, RN over 6 years ago at the grand opening of MSKCC in Basking Ridg. At that time, I was a new hire to MSKCC and in a relatively new position, triage RN at MSKCC BR site. Since day one here, I noticed Gretchen with a smile on every morning and her melodic voice which brings peace to a busy day. I have also witnessed Gretchen treat every patient in her practice with respect, she provides her patients with her undivided attention, and as if they were the only patient during a busy clinic. Gretchen was one of my first mentors and helped me on a daily basis with symptom management in caring for our medical oncology population. It is because of her I have transformed from novice to expert. She exemplifies what an MSKCC RN "is" by her gentle interactions with patients, knowledge in head and neck cancer, and kindness to colleagues.
Submitted by colleague:
Gretchen Marino has an unflappable demeanor, warm smile and a readiness to help. I should know, as a nurse that recently transferred from Main Campus to Basking Ridge I had a lot of questions! Gretchen is a wealth of information and she brings that to work every day. Since she is one of the original nurses to open this regional location she brings the value of being here at the start. I have relied on her clinical advice and expertise since the day I got here. I have witnessed her ability to move quickly through a busy clinic as the OPN to the chief attending, without seeming to be in a rush with patients.
She gives the 1:1 care and listening that patients love her for. She never turns away an opportunity to help others which makes her the ideal nurse to have on your team. I recently had the opportunity to meet with her and plan our Certified Nurses Day Celebration...we needed a volunteer to pick up the balloons...so Gretchen said she would go to the dollar store in the morning before work. That's Gretchen!
Submitted by colleague:
Gretchen was one of my first preceptors in the office practice. She is always patient,calm, willing to answer questions and very helpful. She knows her practice inside and out and has exemplary relationships with her patients. I feel very grateful to work with her and hope to continue to learn from her extensive experience.
Submitted by colleague Jamie Mastrodomenico, RN:
Gretchen has been an inspiration to her peers in her role on the BSK RRR committee. She acted as co-chair of the committee and did an amazing job of organizing regular activities to show staff how appreciated they are. Nurses Week at BSK was awesome- Gretchen helped plan some sort of activity or event for each day to acknowledge her colleagues and the hard work they do each day. Gretchen has a positive attitude and does a great job of recognizing her colleagues and helping them feel appreciated in their jobs at BSK. She definitely deserves the DAISY Award!
Submitted by patient:
This is not just one situation- it is every visit and I have been seeing Gretchen for 5 years!!! She knows my entire family from visits (they accompany me periodically). She always asks for them & my grandchildren. She and the doctor work so well together, it is like they are one person. I have had 3 occurances and each time she has given me support like my own daughters. P.S. Each visit, I get a hug and a kiss.
Submitted by Nurse Leader:
I would like to take the chance to bring to your notice the dedication and the level of commitment that Gretchen demonstrates. She is a positive role model for her peers on her unit and throughout the facility. She is devoted to teaching her patients and extending her clinical expertise to her colleagues. She personifies patient-focused care, and practices customized care based on individuality and the expectations of each, individual patient.
As the NL at BR it is apparent that much of the staff looks up to Gretchen as a leader and a mentor. She creates a positive and inclusive work environment, and creates an atmosphere of mutual teamwork and support.
In the most challenging situations, she is always the person that can handle the most difficult task with a positive attitude and the utmost efficiency. The majority of Ms. Marino's patients are in the head and neck population. As most patients do, this patient population presents with additional challenges. Ms. Marino does an excellent job of coordinating care, providing compassion, and offering encouragement on their journey. Her level of commitment is evident in her everyday practice.
Gretchen Marino exemplifies professional practice, compassion and the highest level of excellent interpersonal skills.
Submitted by colleague:
I have worked with Gretchen Marino for the past 6 years. When I came to Memorial she oriented me to the medical oncology service at Denville and then at Basking Ridge. Gretchen truly was a role model for me to emulate as a nurse who had worked many years in administration and was now returning to patient care. On a daily basis she cares for her patients with compassion and understanding. She is there for them and their families through every step of their journey. Her knowledge base in oncology is immeasurable. She is an important resource not only to the patients but her co-workers as well. I watched her and the relationships she had with her patients. She brings joy to each and every one of them. I watch patients come in with emotional and physical pain and they leave clinic feeling better just for being with Gretchen. Very few people can help others with just a smile or touch.
As one of her peers I know that Gretchen is always available for me personally and professionally. No matter how busy she is she will stop and help other nurses if needed. She always has a positive attitude. She faces each day with enthusiasm and a love of nursing. She is an asset to Memorial, her co-workers and her patients and families.
As we continue on our path to Magnet, Gretchen should be seen as a role model for every nurse at Memorial. She demonstrates the attributes necessary to reach Magnet status through her commitment to co-workers and through the relationship based care she delivers.