Health Care Heroes
Congratulations to The Daily Record’s 2011 Health Care Heroes. The LifeBridge Health winners are:
Tamika Gladney, R.N., Northwest Hospital
Rosa Griffith, volunteer, Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital
Gerami Seitzman, M.D., ophthalmologist, Krieger Eye Institute, Sinai Hospital
Michael Zollicoffer, M.D., pediatrician, Sinai Hospital
Seitzman, director of Cornea, External Disease and Uveitis at the Krieger Eye Institute at Sinai Hospital, was the top winner in the physician category.
“Just doing my job is an honor in itself,” Seitzman says. “And this honor adds icing to the cake.”
Dr. Seitzman comments on her award:
Here what Tamika Gladney, R.N. has to say about this recognition.
Rosa Griffith’s sons accepted this posthumous award on her behalf. Rosa began volunteering at the age of 77, and continued even after surviving a stroke. In the spring of 2010, at age 82, Rosa was diagnosed with cancer. She continued to volunteer, amassing 1,400 hours during her nearly five years as a Levindale volunteer.
The Daily Record received nearly 150 nominations for its annual Health Care Heroes awards, which recognizes individuals in eight categories including physician, volunteer, community outreach, nurse, midlevel practitioner, health care professional, advancements in health care, and animal care provider
About 400 people attended the award ceremony this week at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Baltimore.
The Daily Record, a daily newspaper published five times a week to provide legal and business news, created Health Care Heroes in 2003 "to honor those heroes in the health care industry who impact the lives of Marylanders." For a full list of the 2011 finalists, visit http://thedailyrecord.com/health-care-heroes/current-winners/
Showing posts with label Daily Record Health Care Heroes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Daily Record Health Care Heroes. Show all posts
Friday, March 25, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Health Care Hero: Tamika Gladney, Northwest
The Maryland Daily Record's Health Care Heroes awards ceremony honors special caregivers who exemplify extraordinary commitment to their profession. The breakfast to honor the 2011 finalists, which includes Northwest's Tamika Gladney, is on Wednesday, March 23.
Tamika Gladney, B.S.N., R.N., B.C., is an acute care clinical specialist and an energetic advocate for implementing evidence-based practices into the nursing care delivered at Northwest Hospital. Since May 2006, she has been instrumental in the hospital’s adoption and success of several evidence-based programs. Gladney has a forte for solving problems, and though they may not know it, patients have benefited because of her work to improve the safety conditions surrounding their hospital stays.
Those who know Gladney are quick to say that she possesses self-initiative and is passionate about improving the quality of patient care through applied research. She worked with Johns Hopkins Hospital to share best practices to prevent patient falls and developed a falls risk assessment protocol customized for Northwest Hospital. Thanks to her efforts, all LifeBridge Health hospitals now have implemented the STOP Falls Program, which has dramatically reduced the number of patient falls.
Through her work alongside endocrinologist Bruce Sindler, M.D., Gladney became aware of an issue affecting diabetic patients: while nurses were taking great care to make sure patients’ blood pressures were regulated, the same level of concern was not being applied to the blood sugar levels of diabetic patients. Tamika consulted American Diabetic Association research and assembled an interdisciplinary workgroup that performed a comprehensive literature review and lent their insights to determine the best practices for insulin management. She then helped instruct her fellow nurses about how to implement this protocol.
In 2009, Gladney spearheaded and became the chairwoman of a Practice Board that introduces and maintains evidence-based medicine practices throughout the hospital. She made sure that one of the board’s goals would be to give bedside nurses a greater opportunity to recognize and promote improved practices.
Gladney has been inspirational to her colleagues by being an excellent clinical resource and getting other nurses at Northwest similarly engaged about research and best practices. During the past five years, despite a challenging workload and becoming a mother, Tamika has earned her bachelor's degree in nursing and has nearly completed her Master’s degree in nursing, with an acute care emphasis. She teaches other registered nurses how to conduct literature reviews, and leads new groups on how to structure and execute evidence-based projects. Gladney's presence has made Northwest Hospital a catalyst for nursing innovations, ultimately improving the care and comfort of Northwest’s patients.
-Holly Hosler
Tamika Gladney, B.S.N., R.N., B.C., is an acute care clinical specialist and an energetic advocate for implementing evidence-based practices into the nursing care delivered at Northwest Hospital. Since May 2006, she has been instrumental in the hospital’s adoption and success of several evidence-based programs. Gladney has a forte for solving problems, and though they may not know it, patients have benefited because of her work to improve the safety conditions surrounding their hospital stays.
Those who know Gladney are quick to say that she possesses self-initiative and is passionate about improving the quality of patient care through applied research. She worked with Johns Hopkins Hospital to share best practices to prevent patient falls and developed a falls risk assessment protocol customized for Northwest Hospital. Thanks to her efforts, all LifeBridge Health hospitals now have implemented the STOP Falls Program, which has dramatically reduced the number of patient falls.
Through her work alongside endocrinologist Bruce Sindler, M.D., Gladney became aware of an issue affecting diabetic patients: while nurses were taking great care to make sure patients’ blood pressures were regulated, the same level of concern was not being applied to the blood sugar levels of diabetic patients. Tamika consulted American Diabetic Association research and assembled an interdisciplinary workgroup that performed a comprehensive literature review and lent their insights to determine the best practices for insulin management. She then helped instruct her fellow nurses about how to implement this protocol.
In 2009, Gladney spearheaded and became the chairwoman of a Practice Board that introduces and maintains evidence-based medicine practices throughout the hospital. She made sure that one of the board’s goals would be to give bedside nurses a greater opportunity to recognize and promote improved practices.
Gladney has been inspirational to her colleagues by being an excellent clinical resource and getting other nurses at Northwest similarly engaged about research and best practices. During the past five years, despite a challenging workload and becoming a mother, Tamika has earned her bachelor's degree in nursing and has nearly completed her Master’s degree in nursing, with an acute care emphasis. She teaches other registered nurses how to conduct literature reviews, and leads new groups on how to structure and execute evidence-based projects. Gladney's presence has made Northwest Hospital a catalyst for nursing innovations, ultimately improving the care and comfort of Northwest’s patients.
-Holly Hosler
Friday, March 18, 2011
Health Care Hero: Gerami Seitzman, Sinai Hospital
The Maryland Daily Record's Health Care Heroes awards ceremony honors special caregivers who exemplify extraordinary commitment to their profession. The breakfast to honor the 2011 finalists, which includes Sinai's Gerami Seitzman, is on Wednesday, March 23.
Gerami D. Seitzman, M.D.
Two words come to mind when anyone thinks, or speaks, of Gerami D. Seitzman, M.D., excellence and compassion.
Dr. Seitzman is director of Cornea, External Disease and Uveitis at Sinai Hospital’s Krieger Eye Institute. She is an ophthalmologist skilled in caring for patients with very complicated and various inflammatory eye diseases.
Dr. Seitzman was the first Maryland doctor who implanted an artificial lens and iris into a patient who sustained a terrible screwdriver accident to an eye. She had to secure special FDA approval to implant the device. The outcome is that the patient has regained his pilot's license.
And when it comes to compassion, Dr. Seitzman is unparalleled in her selfless service to those in need. She has volunteered with the Maryland Society for Sight Vision Van for nearly ten years. She began volunteering in 2000 as a resident at the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins Hospital and continues to this date.
In that role, she provides vision screenings for those some may think of as “the least among us.” The homeless and the indigent people Dr. Seitzman sees at the Vision Van probably are unaware they are being examined by a top-notched medical specialist. If one of these patients needs follow-up care, Dr. Seitzman will make certain they know of the services available at the Krieger Eye Institute.
When she began work as an attending ophthalmologist, Dr. Seitzman learned about the Chase Brexton Organization, a community health care center. She learned that this organization had no medical providers who could evaluate their patients for eye diseases. Dr, Seitzman did not hesitate to step up where she saw a void. Since 2005, every three to four months Dr. Seitzman has been examining Chase Brexton patients at the Vision Van, some with HIV or other illnesses.
Dr. Seitzman, who is described by her peers as “a brilliant resident teacher” and “outstanding surgeon” saw that too may Baltimore residents are going blind from preventable diseases. She decided that as part of Sinai’s ophthalmology residency, residents would have regularly rotations on the Vision Van. She believes it is crucial that doctors know of the barriers some people face in getting decent medical care.
. If looking for a ophthalmologist who is successful with patient outcomes and who also believes in treating every person with respect and dignity, one can do no better than Dr. Gerami Seitzman.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Health Care Hero Winners Announced
Congratulations to our finalists and winners of the 2010 Maryland Daily Record's Health Care Hero Awards. Click on their name below to read their full nomination.
Volunteers
Ruth Leibowitz, Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital
Jerome Fineblum, Sinai and Northwest Hospitals
Physician
Harpal Khanuja, M.D., Sinai Hospital
Advancements in Health Care
Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital
Nurse
Linda Covert, R.N.
Volunteers
Ruth Leibowitz, Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital
Jerome Fineblum, Sinai and Northwest Hospitals
Physician
Harpal Khanuja, M.D., Sinai Hospital
Advancements in Health Care
Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital
Nurse
Linda Covert, R.N.
Health Care Hero Finalist: Jerome Fineblum
The Maryland Daily Record's Health Care Heroes awards ceremony honors special caregivers who exemplify extraordinary commitment to their profession. Stay tuned to the blog to hear details about our winners.
Jerome Fineblum is a champion of volunteer service. In the past five years, he has contributed more than 5,000 hours of service to Sinai Hospital. Jerry also volunteers at Northwest Hospital, giving 2,600 hours since 1993.
In addition to his work at Sinai and Northwest, Jerry has worked for 13 years with the Visiting Nurses Association doing home hospice visits. This work with hospice patients fills a need and offers perspective on what's important, he says.
The past-president of Beth El Seniors' Organization, Jerry's other volunteer commitments include the Jewish War Veterans Post #493, the Pikesville Senior Center Council, and the local AARP chapter. He is a Baltimore native.
He was named Veteran of the Year in 1988 by the Jewish War Veterans.
LifeBridge Health congratulates Jerry and the other Health Care Hero finalists!
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Health Care Hero Finalist: Harpal Khanuja, M.D.
The Maryland Daily Record's Health Care Heroes awards ceremony honors special caregivers who exemplify extraordinary commitment to their profession. The breakfast to honor the 2010 finalists is on Wednesday, March 24, but before the big day we wanted to use this space to profile the nominees.
Arthritis and other bone and joint conditions can often be debilitating, even with proper medical attention. Now imagine if you had no access to proper medical or surgical care. These conditions can quickly develop into a situation where common tasks become impossible.
Harpal Khanuja, M.D., orthopedic surgeon at the Rubin Institute for Advanced Orthopedics at Sinai Hospital, gives patients in the developing world hope. Since 2006, Dr. Khanuja and his Operation Walk Maryland teams have been traveling to developing countries to provide free surgical and orthopedic care.
A national organization, Operation Walk was founded in 1994 by Lawrence D. Dorr, M.D. Operation Walk surgeons, nurses and health professionals have operated on more than 3,000 patients in Russia, Cuba, Nepal, China, the Philippines, Nicaragua, Mexico, El Salvador and the United States.
Operation Walk Maryland was founded by Dr. Khanuja and his wife Maria to improve the quality of life for disadvantaged patients across the globe who suffer from joint disease. Operation Walk Maryland provides free joint replacement surgery and care to impoverished individuals in need; all the care is free to the country and the individual.
Operation Walk Maryland raises over $100,000 a year. It has arranged donations and provided free care and supplies. In addition, Operation Walk Maryland educates local orthopedic surgeons and their health care teams about the current treatment and technologies available to treat individuals with debilitating joint disease.
Dr. Khanuja views Operation Walk as the most rewarding aspect of his career. He points out that not only is the team composed of the best trained providers in the United States, but the team members are also true ambassadors from Maryland to many parts of the world.
Dr. Khanuja's daily work as a surgeon at the Center for Joint Preservation and Replacement at Sinai Hospital is also a source of great pride. The center is composed of health care professionals with specialized training and expertise in all aspects of orthopedics and joint reconstruction surgery. Dr. Khanuja is a part of an interdisciplinary treatment team that includes orthopedic surgeons, physiatrists, anesthesiologists and pain management specialists, physician assistants, nurses, nurse practitioners, physical and occupational therapists, social workers, case managers, surgical and orthopedic technologists, radiology technologists, administrators, secretaries, referral and financial coordinators, and other support staff.
Dr. Khanuja also is a researcher, developing and improving methods of joint preservation and replacement. Through the Center for Joint Preservation and Replacement and the internationally attended Hip Joint course, Dr. Khanuja provides education to orthopedic surgeons and health care professionals to observe and study hip resurfacing and reconstruction methods.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Health Care Hero Finalist: Ruth Leibowitz
The Maryland Daily Record's Health Care Heroes awards ceremony honors special caregivers who exemplify extraordinary commitment to their profession. The breakfast to honor the 2010 finalists is on Wednesday, March 24, but before the big day we wanted to use this space to profile the nominees.
Eighty-year-old Ruth Leibowitz has been volunteering at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital since 2006. During that time, she has completed over 3,100 hours of service. In addition to her work at Levindale, Ruth is also a volunteer for both the Greater Chesapeake & Potomac Blood Region of the American Red Cross and the state chapter of the Red Cross.
At Levindale, Ruth provides all the administrative support for the volunteer department, often running the department when the coordinator is away. She tracks all the hours for approximately 150 volunteers.
Although the administrative work is very detailed and time consuming, the majority of Ruth’s time is spent organizing the volunteers who knit and crochet lap robes and blankets for the residents, as well as those who sew walker bags for our residents/patients and clients. She also knits and crochets herself.
Ruth started a one-woman campaign to have all the yarn and material donated so the volunteers could be given all the necessary supplies to make the much-needed items for the residents. She has written letters to area businesses so that there is a constant supply of material and yarn, which is donated. She will drive to the upholsterers to pick up large donated bolts of material.
Now every patient, resident, or client who needs a blanket or walker bag can have one. The volunteer department distributes between 10-20 blankets per month. In 2006 the knitters completed 392 hours, and in 2009 they completed an amazing 5,134 hours.
When it was brought to her attention that the women did not have proper head coverings to wear in the synagogue at Levindale, Ruth purchased the material and spent hours making head coverings so that all the women could have them for the high holidays.
These items that Ruth makes sure are always available really do make a difference to our residents, patients and clients. It’s the personal touch that makes Levindale seem a little more like home. It’s these unique gifts that brighten the day for the people when they receive them.
When Ruth isn’t busy getting materials making blankets or keeping the volunteer office running smoothly, she still finds time to visit with residents or help out with special functions when needed.
Eighty-year-old Ruth Leibowitz has been volunteering at Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital since 2006. During that time, she has completed over 3,100 hours of service. In addition to her work at Levindale, Ruth is also a volunteer for both the Greater Chesapeake & Potomac Blood Region of the American Red Cross and the state chapter of the Red Cross.
At Levindale, Ruth provides all the administrative support for the volunteer department, often running the department when the coordinator is away. She tracks all the hours for approximately 150 volunteers.
Although the administrative work is very detailed and time consuming, the majority of Ruth’s time is spent organizing the volunteers who knit and crochet lap robes and blankets for the residents, as well as those who sew walker bags for our residents/patients and clients. She also knits and crochets herself.
Ruth started a one-woman campaign to have all the yarn and material donated so the volunteers could be given all the necessary supplies to make the much-needed items for the residents. She has written letters to area businesses so that there is a constant supply of material and yarn, which is donated. She will drive to the upholsterers to pick up large donated bolts of material.
Now every patient, resident, or client who needs a blanket or walker bag can have one. The volunteer department distributes between 10-20 blankets per month. In 2006 the knitters completed 392 hours, and in 2009 they completed an amazing 5,134 hours.
When it was brought to her attention that the women did not have proper head coverings to wear in the synagogue at Levindale, Ruth purchased the material and spent hours making head coverings so that all the women could have them for the high holidays.
These items that Ruth makes sure are always available really do make a difference to our residents, patients and clients. It’s the personal touch that makes Levindale seem a little more like home. It’s these unique gifts that brighten the day for the people when they receive them.
When Ruth isn’t busy getting materials making blankets or keeping the volunteer office running smoothly, she still finds time to visit with residents or help out with special functions when needed.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Health Care Hero Finalist: Linda Covert, R.N.
The Maryland Daily Record's Health Care Heroes awards ceremony honors special caregivers who exemplify extraordinary commitment to their profession. The breakfast to honor the 2010 finalists is on Wednesday, March 24, but before the big day we wanted to use this space to profile the nominees.
Linda Covert is a nursing clinical leader in the orthopedic and trauma unit at Sinai Hospital. She has been a Sinai nurse for 21 years.
Linda exemplifies the characteristics of a health care hero based on her knowledge in the field of nursing, advocacy for patients, and the community and leadership within the hospital.
As the only certified orthopedic nurse at Sinai Hospital, Linda is always willing to lend a helping hand to all staff members, regardless of the task. She is a mentor to the staff and a shining example of how to provide the best care to our patients.
“Linda is “my go to nurse” on the unit,” said Sue Pugh, R.N., Advanced Practice Nurse for the orthopedic, neuroscience and rehabilitation units. “Whenever I need to know what’s going on, and happening at the bedside of our critically ill patients, I ask Linda. She has excellent assessment skills and quickly identifies when a patient’s condition is deteriorating and needs immediate assistance.”
For the past two years, Linda has organized and ran the Orthopedic Nurse’s Day at Sinai, which includes hands-on education and “show and tell” events about orthopedics and orthopedic health care concerns. Linda also participates in the annual community education event related to orthopedic concerns at Pimlico Elementary/Middle School.
Linda is an exceptionally strong nurse leader and is well respected by her orthopedic surgeon colleagues. In addition to all of her leadership and patient care roles at Sinai, in 2008 Linda was the president of the Baltimore chapter of the National Association of Orthopedic Nurses.
“As a clinical leader, Linda never hesitates to get involved in situations that arise with patients and is able to quickly fix a problem when she see’s it,” said Sue. “She’s not afraid to speak up and advocate for the staff or patient when she knows it is in the best interest of either or both. Sue is an invaluable leader in our Sinai nurse community.”
Linda Covert is a nursing clinical leader in the orthopedic and trauma unit at Sinai Hospital. She has been a Sinai nurse for 21 years.
Linda exemplifies the characteristics of a health care hero based on her knowledge in the field of nursing, advocacy for patients, and the community and leadership within the hospital.
As the only certified orthopedic nurse at Sinai Hospital, Linda is always willing to lend a helping hand to all staff members, regardless of the task. She is a mentor to the staff and a shining example of how to provide the best care to our patients.
“Linda is “my go to nurse” on the unit,” said Sue Pugh, R.N., Advanced Practice Nurse for the orthopedic, neuroscience and rehabilitation units. “Whenever I need to know what’s going on, and happening at the bedside of our critically ill patients, I ask Linda. She has excellent assessment skills and quickly identifies when a patient’s condition is deteriorating and needs immediate assistance.”
For the past two years, Linda has organized and ran the Orthopedic Nurse’s Day at Sinai, which includes hands-on education and “show and tell” events about orthopedics and orthopedic health care concerns. Linda also participates in the annual community education event related to orthopedic concerns at Pimlico Elementary/Middle School.
Linda is an exceptionally strong nurse leader and is well respected by her orthopedic surgeon colleagues. In addition to all of her leadership and patient care roles at Sinai, in 2008 Linda was the president of the Baltimore chapter of the National Association of Orthopedic Nurses.
“As a clinical leader, Linda never hesitates to get involved in situations that arise with patients and is able to quickly fix a problem when she see’s it,” said Sue. “She’s not afraid to speak up and advocate for the staff or patient when she knows it is in the best interest of either or both. Sue is an invaluable leader in our Sinai nurse community.”
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Four LifeBridge Health employees named Health Care Heroes winners
Once a year, the Maryland Daily Record sponsors a day to recognize those heroes that walk among us – Health Care Heroes.
LifeBridge Health is proud of all its finalists: Donald Abrams, M.D., Lee David Chiat, R.T., Susan Golden, Lynn Harris R.N., Shawn Standard, M.D., Garrick Williams, Harry Zemel and Project LIGHT. The winners were Dr. Abrams, Harris, Williams and Zemel.
Dr. Abrams, the chief of Sinai Hospital’s Department of Ophthalmology, was recognized for his work with glaucoma patients and the free screenings held regularly at Krieger Eye Institute through a partnership with the Polakoff Foundation.
Harris, a nurse who is the manager of the Mother-Baby Unit at Sinai Hospital was recognized for her work with new mothers experiencing postpartum depression.
Zemel was a top winner in the Volunteer category for his 20-plus years of service at Sinai, from the Post Anesthesia Care Unit to the Volunteer Advisory Council.
Williams won for his work as a youth outreach worker, running support groups for young men as
well as the 8-year-old Park Heights Saints football league.Congratulations to all!
Winners (from left) Dr. Abrams, Zemel, Harris and Williams
following a breakfast ceremony this morning.
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