Thirteen Nurses Honored with Awards at 23rd Annual Nurses Network Dinner

This fall, nurses from all over Bassett Healthcare Network gathered at the Otesaga in Cooperstown for the 23rd Annual Nurses Network Dinner. The event included remarks from keynote speaker Angela Belmont, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Senior Vice President, Chief Nursing Executive at Bassett Healthcare Network.

Remarks were also delivered by Dr. Tommy Ibrahim, President & CEO of Bassett Healthcare Network; Joan MacDonald, DNP, MSN, RN, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services at A.O. Fox Hospital; Susan Oakes Ferrucci, DNP, MSN, RN, CNS, Chief Hospital Executive of Bassett’s Critical Access Hospitals; Irene Yarusso, ANP-C, Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Ambulatory Patient Care Services; and Mary Beth Dowling, BSN, RN. There was also a presentation by Bassett’s newly formed Nursing Honor Guard.

A significant highlight of the night was the presentation of the annual nursing awards. Thirteen nurses were honored with awards for their excellent care, teamwork, and fortitude, and many others received honorable mentions as award nominees. These remarkable nurses are listed below. Thanks to all who made this a wonderful night—especially those who served on the event committee!

Photos of the event are available on the Bassett Healthcare Network Flickr page.

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Nursing Excellence Award in Honor of Barbara Strickland, LPN

Winner:
Janelle Knapp, LPN, A.O. Fox Nursing Home
 
Other Nominees:
Tiffany Collison, Fox Pediatrics
Jessica Walker, Stamford Family Practice
 Teresa Johnson, FoxCare Women's Health

Nursing Excellence Award in Honor of Lisa Hunter, RN

Winner:
Karen Mowers, RN, Oneonta Family Practice (Fox)
 
Other Nominees:
Matthew Johnson, RN, Fox Ambulatory Surgery
Christine Simonds, RN, Fox Emergency Department
Nancy Swantak, RN, Fox Operating Room

Nursing Excellence Award in Honor of Mary Helland, RN

Winner:
Danielle Clements, RN, Bassett Health Center Stamford - Main Street

Other Nominees:
Julie Olcott, RN, A.O. Fox – Tri-Town Campus Emergency Department
Mackenzie Ranc, RN, Fox 2 North 
Katherine Redouane, RN, A.O. Fox – Tri-Town Campus Emergency Department

Martha Twichell Award

Winner:

Julie Falcone, RN, Nursing Education

Other Nominees:
Susan Menendez, RN, ICU
Areanna Shedd, RN, ICU
Kimberly Hughes-Dibble, RN, Oneonta Specialty Services ASU
Brian Hoyer, RN, Oneonta Specialty Services ASU
Robin Young, RN, BMC/Primary Care 
Christine Utegg, RN, Nursing Education
Morgan Benson, RN, Bassett Medical Center Emergency Department
Gertrude Strain, RN, O'Connor Hospital Medical Inpatient Unit

Maureen Fitzgerald Murray Award

Winner:
Keri Johnson, RN, Nursing Education

Other Nominees:​
Linda Beers, RN, BMC Nursing Supervisor
Laira Divina Taruc, RN, Bassett ICU
Maritza Emerich, RN, Special Care Unit
Leland Fowler, RN, Nursing Education 
Jennifer Hojohn, RN, Special Care Unit/SWAT
Ian Sebastian, RN, ICU
Nicholas Souza, RN, ICU

Pearl F. Day Award

Winner:

Jennifer Garlock-Stringer, RN, Birthing Center

Other Nominees:​
Melissa Atwell, RN, 3Med
Amanda Clark, RN, SWOT
Leicha Collins, RN, SCU
Benvinda Crescenzi, RN, SCU
Kim Miller, RN, BMC Surgical Clinic 
Brianna Sebastian, RN, ICU
Areanna Shedd, RN, ICU
Jocelyn Waite, RN, ICU
Robin Young, RN, BMC Prime Care Clinic

Renee Henson Award

Winner:

Jocelyn Waite, ANM, ICU

Other Nominees:​
Ian Sebastian, RN, ICU
Laira Taruc, RN, ICU 
Thomas Zegarelli, RN, ICU

Preceptors of the Year

Winners:

Pamela Clark, RN
Bassett Health Center Sherburne

Merry Grace Burgin, RN
A.O. Fox Hospital

Raven Brown, RN
Bassett Medical Center

Kimberly Zielinski, RN
Cobleskill Regional Hospital

Tammy Johnston, RN
Little Falls Hospital

Gertrude Strain, RN
O'Connor Hospital

Other Nominees: ​
Cedric Occasion, RN, ICU
Yvonne Hrobuchak, RN, ICU
Amy Koch, RN, ICU
Jason Burns, RN, Special Care Unit 
Dannielle Therrien, RN, Birthing Center Gaffney Armistead, RN, BMC PACU
David Miller, RN, LFH OR
Laurie Burns, RN, ED