December 2021
Inpatient Geriatric Nursing Team
at Zucker Hillside Hospital
ML 5 and 2 South
Northwell Health - Zucker Hillside Hospital
Glen Oaks
,
NY
United States
Barbara, RN, Director of Geriatric Inpatient Services; Elise Bailey, RN; Laren Lamonaca, RN, Nurse Manager (Leaders)
ML5:
Michael Tartaro, RN, Asst. Nurse Manager; Rosemarie Ferrante, RN; Elizabeth Checola, RN; Donna Dwyer, RN; Rodney Morel, RN; Jocelyne, RN; Mariamma Abraham, RN; Dana Maida, RN;
Suja Madhu, RN, Asst. Nurse Manager; Iwona Kwiecinska, RN; Christian Hill, RN; Jolley Philip, RN; Lizzy Shaji, RN; Stefani, RN;
2 South:
Jennifer Diettro, RN, Asst. Nurse Manager; Steven Ventura, RN; Natashsa Egan, RN; Patrick Ryan, RN; Nicholas Whelan, RN; Ludmila Kisheyev, RN; Monica Melville, RN; Monica Shin, RN.
ML5:
Michael Tartaro, RN, Asst. Nurse Manager; Rosemarie Ferrante, RN; Elizabeth Checola, RN; Donna Dwyer, RN; Rodney Morel, RN; Jocelyne, RN; Mariamma Abraham, RN; Dana Maida, RN;
Suja Madhu, RN, Asst. Nurse Manager; Iwona Kwiecinska, RN; Christian Hill, RN; Jolley Philip, RN; Lizzy Shaji, RN; Stefani, RN;
2 South:
Jennifer Diettro, RN, Asst. Nurse Manager; Steven Ventura, RN; Natashsa Egan, RN; Patrick Ryan, RN; Nicholas Whelan, RN; Ludmila Kisheyev, RN; Monica Melville, RN; Monica Shin, RN.
The Inpatient Geriatric Nursing Team provides outstanding, empathic care to a very special group, older adults with mental illness. The work of the ML5 and 2 South geriatric teams extends far beyond the walls of Zucker Hillside Hospital. Barbara Russo, RN, Director of Inpatient Geriatric Patient Care Services, Elise Bailey, RN clinical nurse, and Laren Lamonaca, 2 South Nurse Manager - provide education in the community in a variety of settings including nursing homes, assisted living facilities, libraries, and senior centers. They create individualized presentations based on the particular audience. Topics covered include depression, dementia, delirium, how to manage anxiety, and depression in the elderly. In most cases, these presentations are done on the staff member's own time. In addition to these community presentations, their consistent active participation in both Northwell events, as well as other community events, such as the Alzheimer's Walk, even during COVID, has been exceptional.
On ML5, the nurses are conducting research on the use of the Therapeutic Activity Box in engaging patients to avoid the use of PRN medications and other support to a healing therapeutic environment. The Geriatric Nursing Service has obtained (NICHE) certification, (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders) which imparts principles and tools to stimulate changes in clinical practice to achieve patient-centered nursing care for older adults in healthcare facilities. Over the past 4 years, Barbara and Elise have presented their work at both the NICHA and APNA conferences. Compassionate care of patients and families, often facing the devastating diagnosis of dementia, is at the heat of the team's nursing care each and every day.
The wife of a patient treated on our Geriatric Service was so grateful and inspired by the care provided to her husband, that she became a volunteer so that she would be able to support other families dealing with the diagnosis of dementia.
The following is a letter from the family of a patient cared for by our geriatric nursing team; "We wanted to thank you all very much for the exceptional care our grandmother received during her stay at Zucker. You were all very kind and helpful to her and as a family, we were able to sleep at night knowing she was well cared for. Because of your care, she is doing very well in the assisted living she is now in. She is even participating in the daily events and has a very nice group of friends. She is as happy as we have seen her in years. Thank you all for helping her get back on her feet and mentally stable. We are all so very grateful."
We are thrilled to award the nursing team of ML5 and 2 South, the Inpatient Geriatric Service the DAISY Team Award for the unwavering compassionate care they provide and the difference they make every day in the lives of their patients and families.
On ML5, the nurses are conducting research on the use of the Therapeutic Activity Box in engaging patients to avoid the use of PRN medications and other support to a healing therapeutic environment. The Geriatric Nursing Service has obtained (NICHE) certification, (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders) which imparts principles and tools to stimulate changes in clinical practice to achieve patient-centered nursing care for older adults in healthcare facilities. Over the past 4 years, Barbara and Elise have presented their work at both the NICHA and APNA conferences. Compassionate care of patients and families, often facing the devastating diagnosis of dementia, is at the heat of the team's nursing care each and every day.
The wife of a patient treated on our Geriatric Service was so grateful and inspired by the care provided to her husband, that she became a volunteer so that she would be able to support other families dealing with the diagnosis of dementia.
The following is a letter from the family of a patient cared for by our geriatric nursing team; "We wanted to thank you all very much for the exceptional care our grandmother received during her stay at Zucker. You were all very kind and helpful to her and as a family, we were able to sleep at night knowing she was well cared for. Because of your care, she is doing very well in the assisted living she is now in. She is even participating in the daily events and has a very nice group of friends. She is as happy as we have seen her in years. Thank you all for helping her get back on her feet and mentally stable. We are all so very grateful."
We are thrilled to award the nursing team of ML5 and 2 South, the Inpatient Geriatric Service the DAISY Team Award for the unwavering compassionate care they provide and the difference they make every day in the lives of their patients and families.