NEW YORK NURSE: September 2009
NYSNA members at Montefiore Medical Center recently celebrated the 15th anniversary of the Montefiore School Health Program – the largest hospital-sponsored school health program in the country. The program provides comprehensive medical, dental, mental, and community-based services to students and their families in elementary, middle, and high schools throughout the Bronx. Since 1983, the program has grown to include 16 full-service centers in 38 schools. The day of celebration at Public School 28 included music, gardening demonstrations, and testimony from students and parents alike who have benefited from the center’s services. NYSNA RNs Robert Burke and Jacqueline Kelderhouse were on hand to help with the day’s festivities.
NYSNA RNs were featured in the “Speak Out!” column of Advance for Nurses describing the best aspects of living and working in Queens. Jacqueline Wade, a child and maternity staff nurse at Flushing Hospital Medical Center; Richard Engesser, a psychiatric staff nurse at Queens Hospital Center; and Sandra Aldana-Arango, a pediatric staff nurse in Elmhurst Hospital Center’s emergency department; all had upbeat thoughts about their borough. Wade revealed Queen’s best-kept secret is Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the site of the 1964 World Fair. Essenger said Queens is the “very essence of community,” possessing one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the five boroughs. He touted its endless array of world cuisines, unbeatable public transportation, schools, shopping and park-like setting as reasons he’s “proud to be a part of it.” Aldana-Arango echoed his sentiments, “…you can walk a few blocks and find Columbia. In another few blocks you may run into a Hindu population. This is good for practice because patients at the hospital are also culturally diverse. I can find everything I need in Queens – I can get involved in the community around the hospital.”
Erie County Medical Center RNs Sherryl Hortman and Julie Serdin were recently nominated ECMC Nurses of the Month. Hortman, who works in the Patient Safety Department, received commendation for her excellent communication and time management skills, a willingness to take on new responsibilities with a positive attitude, and demonstrable flexibility in meeting the changing daily needs of the department. Serdin was congratulated for being an outstanding preceptor for both students and orientees, “…always taking them under her wing.” Serdin also was described as an excellent patient advocate who consistently finds ways to improve patient outcomes.