Lehigh Valley, Pa. (May 9, 2023) Nurses make a difference as caregivers, advocates, mentors and leaders in our community. They possess unique values to provide high-quality, compassionate care to the people they serve. At the 2023 Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) Friends of Nursing awards program, held May 4 at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem, LVHN nurses and health care professionals were honored for the power of the exceptional patient care they provide.<\/p>\n
During the program, 38 award recipients were honored in front of a crowd of more than 600 people. Among the recipients\u2019 stories were:<\/p>\n
Joshua Ashmar, RN, Regional Burn Center, LVH\u2013Cedar Crest, recipient of The Robert Lurig Memorial Award for Excellence in Burn Care \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Patient care specialist\u00a0<\/strong>Joshua Ashmar, RN, serves as Captain of the Trexlertown Fire Department. Volunteer firefighting has been part of Ashmar\u2019s life for as long as he can remember. He followed in his father\u2019s footsteps and started running calls at his side from a young age. He participated in fire prevention activities in the community, which inspired his passion for burn care and education. \u201cI love teaching because I get to bring my knowledge \u2013 what I\u2019ve learned over the years \u2013 and teach it to future generations and to people, whether it be firefighters starting out or new graduate nurses starting on my unit,\u201d says Ashmar.<\/p>\n Video link:\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/akwDaIePeKk<\/a><\/p>\n Lauren Reightler, OTD, Rehabilitation Services Acute Care, LVH\u2013Cedar Crest recipient of The Bill and Nancy Mason Award for Excellence in the Delivery of Rehabilitation Services \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>As an occupational therapist Lauren Reightler, OTD, helps people return to what\u2019s most meaningful to them after they leave the hospital. Up to half of intensive care unit (ICU) survivors discharged to home struggle with physical, cognitive and psychological issues. Reightler saw an opportunity to help people transition from the ICU to home by connecting them with resources and ICU survivors who understand what they\u2019ve been through. \u201cWhy Lehigh Valley Health Network? Because they listen to me. They help support my occupational therapy dreams as crazy as they may sound at times,\u201d says Reightler. \u201cThey really support the ideas that I have and help to make it happen.\u201d Reightler\u2019s dream of starting a post-ICU clinic that connects patients in the hospital with ICU survivors became reality when she partnered with critical care pulmonologist Dorothea Watson, DO, two pharmacists, a physical therapist, nurse practitioner and social worker to start the SPIRIT clinic. LVHN\u2019s SPIRIT clinic, which stands for Successful Post-ICU Recovery Interprofessional Team, is designed to help post-ICU patients recover to their full potential. \u201cTo offer hope to patients who really have no one to relate to, and to connect them to one another is really incredible,\u201d says Reightler.<\/p>\n Video link:\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/iq4-GoXmUsw<\/a><\/p>\n Michael Prisaznik, Facilities Management, LVH\u2013Hecktown Oaks, recipient of the Award for Excellence in the Promotion of Patient Care \u2013\u00a0<\/strong>Patient care doesn\u2019t happen without functioning elevators, electricity, plumbing and HVAC systems. Michael Prisaznik is a facilities engineer and unsung hero at LVH\u2013Hecktown Oaks. He advocates for excellence in nursing care through his daily interactions, showing compassion to patients and treating colleagues like family. For Michael, that\u2019s because some really are his family. Prisaznik\u2019s wife, Pamela, is a certified registered nurse practitioner with LVPG Pediatric Pulmonology. She\u2019s also a past Friends of Nursing Award recipient. Their daughter, Hannah, is a radiology support tech at LVH\u2013Cedar Crest. His sister-in-law Paula, a registered nurse, and niece Sarah, a licensed practical nurse, work at LVH\u201317th Street and niece Kiona, a physical therapist, works alongside him at LVH\u2013Hecktown Oaks.<\/p>\n Video link:\u00a0https:\/\/youtu.be\/ZB7O2zWpNRU<\/a><\/p>\n For more than 35 years, LVHN has recognized outstanding professional nursing practice through the Friends of Nursing program. The following is a complete list of 2023 Friends of Nursing award recipients.<\/p>\n Danita Fenstermacher, Float Pool, LVH\u2013Cedar Crest Cheryl Holzer, Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit, LVH\u2013Cedar Crest Tanya Lentz, RN, LVH Rheumatology\u2013Hausman Road Nathan Wilkinson, RN, Intensive Care Unit, LVH\u2013Muhlenberg\/Regional Heart Center Medical Float Pool Joshua Ashmar, RN, Regional Burn Center, LVH\u2013Cedar Crest Julie Kaszuba, RN, Population Health Maura Kessler, RN, Intensive Care Unit, LVH\u2013Pocono Katherine Wozniak, RN, Breidegam Family Children\u2019s ER, LVH\u2013Cedar Crest Victoria Chestnut, RN, Payor Based Care Coordination Minalix Rodriguez, RN, Mother-Baby Unit, LVH\u2013Muhlenberg Allison Palmer, RN, 1B Medical-Surgical Unit, LVH\u2013Hecktown Oaks Andraya Rowan, RN, 4KS Medical-Surgical Unit, LVH\u2013Cedar Crest Ryan Fuller, RN, Neuroscience Intensive Care Unit, LVH\u2013Cedar Crest Kristen Kelly, RN, and Brian Chilcote, LCSW, Behavioral Health, LVH\u2013Muhlenberg Lauren Reightler, OTD, Rehabilitation Services Acute Care Shannon Miller, RN, 6KS\/7KS Inpatient Rehabilitation, LVH\u2013Cedar Crest Jessica Conlin, RN, Department of Education Jannah Solanoy, RN, 6CP, LVH\u2013Cedar Crest Jennifer Dargan, RN, Emergency Department, LVH\u2013Cedar Crest Michael Prisaznik, Facilities Management, LVH\u2013Hecktown Oaks Morgan Pollock, RN, Labor and Delivery, LVH\u2013Cedar Crest Abigail Dalling, RN, 7K Orthopedics, LVH\u2013Cedar Crest Jessica Barndt, 6K, LVH\u2013Cedar Crest Lorraine Dierolf, 6CP, LVH\u2013Cedar Crest MarySue Rother, RN, Integrated Care Transitions Amy Serfas, RN, 5J Inpatient Pediatrics, Lehigh Valley Reilly Children\u2019s Hospital Stacy Christman, RN, Operating Room, LVH\u2013Cedar Crest Sidney Wilson, PharmD, Pharmacy 340B Team, LVH\u2013Muhlenberg Jeanette M. Blauth, MD, Allentown Radiologic Associates Lisa Makhoul, Child-Life Department, LVH\u2013Cedar Crest Jeanne Florian, RN, 4KS Medical-Surgical Unit, LVH\u2013Cedar Crest Andrew Smith, DeSales University, Student Nurse 7A Neuroscience Unit, LVH\u2013Cedar Crest 5T, LVH\u2013Muhlenberg 7T, LVH\u2013Muhlenberg 2B Intensive Care Unit, LVH\u2013Hecktown Oaks Cardiac Catheterization Lab, LVH\u2013Cedar Crest Watch the full event:\u00a0<\/strong>https:\/\/youtu.be\/pa1K8OBsdZw<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong>Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) includes 13 hospital campuses, four in Allentown, two in Bethlehem, one in Easton, one in East Stroudsburg, one in Hazleton, two in Pottsville, one in Dickson City, and one in Lehighton, Pa.; 28 health centers; numerous primary and specialty care physician practices; 20 ExpressCARE locations including the area\u2019s only Children\u2019s ExpressCARE; pharmacy, imaging, home health, rehabilitation and lab services; and preferred provider services through Valley Preferred. Specialty care includes: trauma care for adults and children; burn care at the Regional Burn Center; kidney and pancreas transplants; perinatal\/neonatal, cardiac, cancer, orthopedics, neurology, complex neurosurgery capabilities including national certification as a Comprehensive Stroke Center; and robotic surgery in 10 specialties. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, Lehigh Valley Heart and Vascular Institute, Lehigh Valley Institute for Surgical Excellence, Lehigh Valley Orthopedic Institute and Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute physicians provide the most advanced treatments. Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute is a member of the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance (MSK Cancer Alliance), an initiative that helps community providers improve the quality of cancer care and offers access to MSK clinical trials. Lehigh Valley Reilly Children\u2019s Hospital, the third largest children\u2019s hospital in Pennsylvania, provides care in more than 30 specialties and general pediatrics. Lehigh Valley Hospital\u2013Cedar Crest is ranked as the region\u2019s No. 1 hospital for nine straight years and has been recognized among Pennsylvania\u2019s top 10 hospitals for nine consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report. Lehigh Valley Hospital (LVH)\u2013Cedar Crest, LVH\u201317th Street and LVH\u2013Muhlenberg are the Lehigh Valley\u2019s only Magnet\u00ae hospitals for nursing excellence. Additional information is available by visiting LVHN.org or following us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and Instagram.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Information provided to TVL by: <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Lehigh Valley, Pa. (May 9, 2023) Nurses make a difference as caregivers, advocates, mentors and leaders in our community. They possess unique values to provide high-quality, compassionate care to the … Continue reading Friends of Nursing Awards Honor the Power of Lehigh Valley Health Network Nurses and Health Care Professionals<\/span>
\nHometown: Topton
\n<\/strong>The Auxiliary of Lehigh Valley Hospital\u2013Muhlenberg Administrative Partner Award<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Emmaus
\n<\/strong>The Auxiliary of Lehigh Valley Hospital\u2013Muhlenberg Administrative Partner Award<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Northampton
\n<\/strong>Award for Excellence in the Delivery of Ambulatory Care<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Quakertown
\n<\/strong>The Fleming Nursing Caring Award<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Breinigsville
\n<\/strong>The Robert Lurig Memorial Award for Excellence in Burn Care<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Whitehall
\n<\/strong>Care Management Continuum Award<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Nazareth
\n<\/strong>Award for Excellence in Critical Care Nursing<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Stewartsville, NJ
\n<\/strong>Award for Excellence in Emergency Nursing<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Schnecksville
\n<\/strong>The Florence Nightingale Exemplary Professional Practice Award<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Walnutport
\n<\/strong>The Fleming Nursing Caring Award<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Nazareth
\n<\/strong>The Ardis Gaumer Award for Excellence in the Care of Geriatric Patients<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Nesquehoning
\n<\/strong>Medical-Surgical Nursing Award<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Bath
\n<\/strong>Award for Excellence in Neuroscience Nursing<\/p>\n
\nHometown (Kelly): Allentown
\nHometown (Chilcote): North Whitehall
\n<\/strong>The Fleming Award to Recognize New Knowledge, Innovations and Improvements<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Jim Thorpe
\n<\/strong>The Bill and Nancy Mason Award for Excellence in the Delivery of Rehabilitation Services<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Lehighton
\n<\/strong>Award for Excellence in Nursing Education<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Orwigsburg
\n<\/strong>Award for Excellence in Nursing Education<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Breinigsville
\n<\/strong>The Edward and Anne Davis Award for Excellence as a Nurse Preceptor<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Catasauqua
\n<\/strong>The Fleming Award for Exemplary Performance Associated with the Nurse Residency Program<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Allentown
\n<\/strong>Award for Excellence in the Promotion of Patient Care<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Green Lane
\n<\/strong>Award for Excellence in the Delivery of Obstetrical\/Gynecological Nursing Care<\/p>\n
\nHometown: East Stroudsburg
\n<\/strong>The Dr. Peter and Ruth Keblish Award for Excellence in Orthopaedic Surgical Nursing<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Macungie
\n<\/strong>The Auxiliary of Lehigh Valley Hospital Patient Care Partner Award<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Perkiomenville
\n<\/strong>The Auxiliary of Lehigh Valley Hospital Patient Care Partner Award<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Whitehall
\n<\/strong>The\u00a0<\/strong>Josephine Ritz, RN, Nursing Award for Excellence in Patient and Family Engagement<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Coplay
\n<\/strong>The M.G. Asnani, MD, Award for Excellence in Pediatric Nursing<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Pennsburg
\n<\/strong>Award for Excellence in Perioperative Nursing<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Northampton
\n<\/strong>Award for Excellence as a Pharmacist<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Hatfield
\n<\/strong>The Edward and Anne Davis Physician Friends of Nursing Award<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Allentown
\n<\/strong>Award for Excellence in the Promotion of Patient Care<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Sellersville
\n<\/strong>The Dr. Michael J. Moritz Award for Excellence in Transplant Nursing<\/p>\n
\nHometown: Schnecksville
\n<\/strong>The John M. Eisenberg, MD, Award for Excellence as a Student Nurse<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>The Fleming Award to Recognize a Unit\/Department Which Demonstrates a Commitment\u00a0<\/strong>to Structural Empowerment<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Award for Professional Nursing Certification \u2013 Department Greater than 15 Staff Members<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Award for Professional Nursing Certification \u2013 Department Less than 15 Staff Members<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Patient Satisfaction Award for Inpatient Care<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Patient Satisfaction Award for Ambulatory Services<\/p>\n
\nBrian Downs
\nPublic Information Officer
\nMarketing and Public Affairs
\nLehigh Valley Health Network
\nLVHN.org<\/p>\n
\n