MNA Award for Clinical Excellence and Nursing Practice

Ten RNs honored for upholding highest principles of nursing

Ten registered nurses, all members of the MNA, have been selected as the 1999 recipients of the MNA Award for Clinical Excellence in Nursing Practice. The award recognizes the outstanding performance of nurses as providers of direct patient care; nurses, whose work consistently reflects the high standards of practice, foster a positive image of nursing and are essential for the advancement of nursing practice. The recipients of this year’s awards were honored at a special Nurses Week Awards Luncheon on May 6, held in historic Nurses Hall in the Massachusetts State House.

Catherine Bateman

Catherine Bateman is a head nurse at Chelsea Soldiers Home, where she has worked for 18 years. During her tenure, she has implemented and directed a diabetic weight clinic which has helped the residents adjust and live with diabetes. She is always learning new and innovative ways to practice nursing in a supervised dormitory setting. Because she is so efficient and organized, she is a role model to all of the nursing staff.

As one of her nominees stated, "Ms. Bateman has a unique way of effortlessly implementing standards of nursing practice that make her stand out among the best: through her demonstration of caring, sharing, teaching, listening and practicing high standards, which she does not compromise in this age of turmoil and compromise in healthcare." Congratulations Catherine!

Debra Caruso

Debra Caruso, RN, BSN is a community health nurse case manager for the Home Health Care Visiting Nurses Association of Cape Cod. Debra has worked at her agency for 14 years. Her contributions have been extraordinary: Her practice ranges from clinical nursing expertise in pediatrics, cardiovascular and geriatrics to a deep working knowledge of community health resources, group work, data collection and interagency quality improvement and committee work.

At present, Debbie manages a very large practice group on the Cape where she demonstrates outstanding case management skills. Her nominator writes, "She astounds her peers with her excellent organizational skills and her willingness to assist her coworkers."

Ann Castle

Ann Castle, RN, BS is community mental health nurse for the Visiting Nurses Association of Boston, where she has worked as a mental health nurse for 4 years. She has delivered care to patients with a diagnosis range from schizophrenia, to diabetes, to families with complex issues. One nominee stated that "Ann exemplifies the role of the community health nurse at the VNA of Boston. She has helped her medical nursing peers, agencywide, learn to identify the strengths and understand the vulnerabilities of patients struggling to find their place in the community."

She is a valued employee, well respected by her peers and colleagues for clinical expertise, attentiveness to difficult issues, and willingness to help or offer support when needed.

Christine Devine

Christine, RN, MS is pediatric nurse at the University of Massachusetts Memorial Health Care in Worcester, where she provides nursing care to young patients and to their parents as well. She works diligently for her patients and serves as a role model for her peers through her organizational skills. She serves as a preceptor to students and new graduate nurses, sharing with them her organizational skills and pleasant disposition.

Her nominator writes "Christine not only functions as an expert in the delivery of quality pediatric nursing care, she also demonstrates excellence in leadership. She facilitates the complexity of multiple admissions and transfers with ease, always with a focus on the patient and family."

Lorraine Fraser

Lorraine Fraser, RN, BS, MA is a community health nurse at the Visiting Nurses Association of Cape Cod. In her position, utilizes her extensive nursing knowledge to carry out the nursing process and develop clear plans of care for her patients. Because of her highly developed computer skills and her intellectual curiosity, she has been an invaluable resource to her peers, especially during the agency’s recent transition to laptop computers.

To paraphrase words of one nominator, "Lorraine shows her commitment to professional nursing on a daily basis as she carries out her large nursing practice in the communities of Dennis and Yarmouth." She is highly respected in her work environment and an invaluable source of knowledge for her peers and supervisor.

Anne Perez

Anne Perez, RN,C is a staff nurses at Tewskbury Hospital, where she has worked since 1985. In 1991, Anne suffered a serious illness and after an arduous lengthy process of rehabilitation she worked tirelessly and successfully to reclaim her role as a nurse.

Certified as a psychiatric/mental health nurse, Ann coordinates and facilitates weekly mental health rounds for the multidisciplinary team on her patient’s unit.

In the words of her nominator – "Anne is a superb role model who skillfully supervises, teaches and directs her assigned team in the delivery of patient care. Highly respected by her colleagues, supervisors, patients, families and other disciplines, she truly fosters a positive image of nursing with the clinical excellence and professionalism."

Sharleen Potvin

Sharleen Potvin, RN has been a staff nurse at University of Massachusetts Memorial Health Care for nine years. She is a clinical nurse on an acute care cardiovascular surgical unit where she carries out the nursing process with excellence.

She often functions as a resource nurse on her assigned shift and precepts new graduate nurses. Her nominator states, "she is an excellent role model and advocate for quality nursing care for the patients and her peers."

Pam Quirk

Pam Quirk, RN, BS has been the head nurse on the acute unit at the Holyoke Soldiers Home for six years. During that period she developed acuity tool for the staffing pattern. She recently transferred to a long term care unit and has made many changes leading to an improved quality of life for the veterans she serves. She developed a veteran and family education program that is successful on all units.

In her nominator’s words: "she is a well-rounded versatile nurse who makes a positive impact on everyone who has contact with her." Congratulations!

Karobi Sacks

Karobi Sacks, RN, BSN has been a nurse at the Pine Street Inn Women’s Clinic for five years. She works with 110 women ranging in age 18 to 86 years. She introduced a complementary modality (aromatherapy) into the clinical setting via a research-based project. She teaches CPR and stress reduction to the staff and has served as a valuable resource to the clinic staff at Pine Street Inn.

Her nominator writes: "She shines like a beacon with selfless dedication and modesty. She is the example of nursing at its best."

Joyce Shanley

Joyce Shanley, RN has worked as a staff nurse at Tewksbury Hospital for 13 years. In that role she executes individualized care plans and teaches and directs staff in their role. She has excellent rapport with patients, families and colleagues.

She shows true commitment to her own professional development by participating in academic and self-directed learning activities. Her nominator says this of Joyce. "Joyce is particularly adept at caring for hospice patients and their families. Exceptional sensitivity is reflected in her approach to patient care and in her response to patient clinical events. She is a highly motivated professional who serves as a role model to her colleagues."