National Nurses Week generally is observed May 6 through May 12, timed to end on the birthday of Florence Nightingale, the British nurse largely credited as the founder of modern nursing, May 12, 1820.
Congratulations to our 2022 Nightingale Nurses!
Julia A. Burke, BSN, RN
Staff nurse CN2, Radiation Oncology
From her nomination: "Julie consistently goes above and beyond for every patient she interacts with to ensure all patients receive the best care possible. Julie coordinates and provides holistic direct care to all patients seen in radiation oncology. Julie is calm, rational, and a problem-solver. She always looks for a solution to barriers in care. Julie advocates for her patient’s needs to ensure any special considerations are taken into account when treating patients with radiation therapy."
Elaine M. Cournean, APRN, MSN, ACHPN
Movement disorders, Neurology
From her nomination: "She has created, and she is the director of, the Supportive Care and Planning (SCP) clinic. The SCP clinic is a unique clinic that helps patients, families and providers identify areas of need, and that allows access to appropriate resources, which can improve their quality of life and satisfaction. The SCP clinic now serves as a model of care for other programs here at UConn that want to implement a multidisciplinary approach that goes beyond diagnosis and treatment."
Rachel A. Crosby, MSN, RN, CIC
Infection prevention specialist, Epidemiology
From her nomination: "Specifically during the COVID-19 pandemic these past two years, Rachel was asked to assist in the monoclonal antibody therapy program we offer patients here and she did not hesitate to say yes. She has expressed her gratitude at being able to help this patient population through arranging the treatment for COVID-19 and just simply talking to these patients. She also led our Epidemiology team in efforts to offer the COVID-19 vaccine to our inpatient population. Her attitude is so positive and she has a can-do and will-do approach to all matters."
Ryan M. Massicotte, BSN, RN
Staff nurse CN2, Medicine 3
From his nomination: "Ryan acknowledges the apprehension of new and soon-to-be nurses, but believes that these first experiences will help determine the types of nurses they will be for the rest of their careers. To ensure their success, Ryan teaches them to not only become proficient in the day-to-day tasks of med-surg, but challenges them to explore the “why” behind every medical intervention. He also goes as far as to thoroughly review the protocols with his colleagues, and explores best practice through both clinical resources and relevant literature. Ryan’s goal is to provide the best care to the patients of UConn Health, and ensures that his fellow nurses join him in his cause."
Kara Parker, MSN, RN
Clinical nurse specialist, Intermediate Unit
From her nomination: "Kara is a leading example of compassion and dedication. She takes her profession as a nurse seriously and is always looking for ways to improve not only herself but the organization in which she works… Kara is the nurse that patients and families request when they are having the worst days of their lives… She is a committed health care professional determined to provide clinical excellence with the best possible knowledge and resources in hopes to lead by example and be a role model for those quietly watching. "
Wilfreda A. Tilley, MSN, RN, PCCN
Assistant nurse manager, Intermediate Unit
From her nomination: "This individual is the 'heartbeat' of her unit. She is able to care for complex patients, insightful to early signs of changes in patient’s conditions. She serves in an array of additional positions, for example as a charge nurse and a preceptor. She is often sought out by her colleagues as a resource. I have personally had the pleasure of working side-by-side with her on many nights, feeling comforted and reassured when she is on knowing that those entrusted into her care will receive the best care possible. Additionally, comforted that those working alongside her will have an exceptional resource should the need arise."