At Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Nurses Week honored the invaluable work of the hospital’s 850 compassionate clinical nurses who advocate for patients, support caregivers, mentor colleagues, and play an essential role in creating healthier communities. In addition to reflecting on their achievements and the contributions of their peers, PPMC’s nursing staff had the chance to take a break, relax, and enjoy a jam-packed schedule of celebratory activities.
The week opened with a breakfast with Nursing leaders, including Jim Ballinghoff, MSN, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, chief nursing officer and associate executive director. Each day, the nursing staff had a chance to check out the traveling “fun carts,” reenergize with yoga sessions and therapeutic massages, and hang out with the visiting Presby Pooches. Professional development opportunities including resume and publication writing workshops were also available, and The American Nurse Project was screened throughout the week, culminating in a Nursing Grand Rounds presentation led by documentary filmmaker Carolyn Jones.
The highlight of the week was the 19th Annual UPHS Nursing Clinical Excellence Awards. Each year, the ceremony honors the accomplishments of professional nurses across the health system, and this year, five exceptional PPMC nurses received special awards recognizing their high-quality, evidence-based, patient-centered care.
LeighAnn Mazzone, MSN, RN, CEN, nurse manager of the Emergency Department, was awarded the Victoria L. Rich Award for Transformational Leadership. Mazzone’s colleagues noted that she “excels at recognizing potential in others and works tirelessly to cultivate this talent,” as evidenced by her research on nurse-led interventions to prevent ED violence and her creative problem-solving meetings with charge nurses. Mazzone has played an instrumental role in creating a safe and secure hospital environment, making it no surprise that the ED’s most recent patient satisfaction scores were the highest on record.
The Presby Pooches and service-dogs-in-training from the Penn Vet Working Dog Center spread smiles throughout Nurses Week.
PPMC’s ED nurses also picked up three other awards, including the Lillian Brunner Award for Exemplary Practice, which was presented to Tricia Abel-Baker, BSN, RN. A teacher for peers, a champion for patients, and a leader for the department, Abel-Baker has been described as “essential to the success of the Emergency Department and trauma bay.” Whether she’s ensuring security personnel are dressed in proper protection gear, creating process improvement simulations for colleagues, or showing compassion and conviction as advocates for patients and families, Abel-Baker always keeps the “big picture” in mind.
ED nurse Rhonda Browning, MSN, RN, CEN, TCRN, received the Dianne Lanham Award for Leadership in recognition of her dedication to going above and beyond. As the coordinator for Injury Prevention, Browning has spearheaded a variety of grant-funded projects focused on bike safety, preventing falls among older patients, controlling traumatic bleeding, and even distributing gun locks to promote gun safety. Her willingness to help in any and every capacity has established her as a beloved mentor who “drives the practice of the unit” and a fierce defender of community health.
Presby’s hardworking nurses also took some time to relax and re-energize with yoga sessions and massages.
ED nurse and chair of the Evidence-Based Practice Committee James Glatts, BSN, RN, CEN, earned the Helen McClelland Award for Research and Innovation for “bringing a new eye and innovative research to ED nursing.” After recognizing the need for an organized process to transport patients from police or private vehicles to the Trauma Bay, Glatts directed an interdisciplinary exercise walking through scenarios to find the best workflow. His continuing research will not only provide staff with a standardized protocol for challenging cases, but it will improve patient outcomes and experiences.
Finally, the Rosalyn J. Watts Award for Community/Patient/Family Relationships went to Francoise Eberhardt, BSN, RN, a Cupp 3 East nurse who “continually identifies community needs and makes every attempt to make resources available.” Over the last year, Eberhardt organized numerous events as chair of the Community Outreach Council, shared her expertise at the United Community Clinic, and taught hands-on CPR to community members. No matter the project she’s dedicating her time to, Eberhardt is committed to empowering community members, promoting preventative care, and linking individuals to much-needed resources.
“Celebrating our nurses is the highlight of the year for me and our leadership team!” Ballinghoff said. “The extraordinary work that they do in the face of daily challenges is remarkable. I’m so grateful to work with such an extraordinary team. I also congratulate those exceptional individuals who were recognized this year for their clinical excellence. You inspire us, and we thank you for all that you do for our patients, their families, and the community we serve.”