Upstate's nurses are honored for exceptional commitment to profession

SYRACUSE, N.Y.-- More than 60 nurses at Upstate University Hospital’s Community and Downtown Campuses can now add award winners to their resumes as they were recognized by coworkers for exceptional commitment to their profession and to patient and family-centered care during Upstate’s 27th annual Nursing Excellence Celebration.

The event, held last month, offers special thanks to Upstate’s nurses and serves to remind them of “how proud we are of their efforts and of their many accomplishments, said Kim Babcock, a nursing retention specialist at Upstate.

“Nurses at Upstate University Hospital care for patients at the highest acuity level and all of our nurses are outstanding in providing this level of care,” said Babcock. “Our honorees go above and beyond these expectations through their professionalism and leadership skills, excellence in practice, community involvement, collaborations or by serving as a resource to newcomers to the profession and to their peers.”

Forty-five nurses who were nominated by their peers received nursing excellence awards. Upstate’s 3RPN committee based its selections on: excellence in customer service/patient and family centered care; committee work and quality and safety improvement; teamwork/work ethic/leadership; and professional growth and volunteerism.

Anne Willer, a nurse on unit 6B, received two awards at this year’s event: the Nursing Excellence Award and the Food & Nutrition Service Support Service Award. Willer precepts new registered nurses, and stands out as an exceptional team player who strongly advocates for her patients, especially those who require comfort and end-of-life care.

Receiving William Painter Clinical and Managerial Awards are Elaine Barnard, R.N., B.S.N., of the Hematology/Oncology unit, and Jane Bennett, M.S.N., N.P., of the Employee/Student Health Office.

Barnard is especially noted for her skill in understanding cultural differences in the delivery of health care and for working closely with community resources, such as the Refugee Center and Catholic Charities, in understanding and meeting the needs of patients who are new refugees and facing cancer treatment and/or end of life care.

Bennett has been instrumental in providing leadership and fostering a collaborative effort in her work, as evidenced through her initiatives to establish an Employee/Student Health collaboration with Infection Control staff to promote and provide a safe work environment. She is also commended for being a catalyst for change that results in positive outcomes. The awards honor the memory of Painter, an Upstate nurse manager who was a well known and respected clinical expert.

The Nursing Excellence and William Painter awards are among many awards presented at the event.

The Nursing Excellence Celebration included a reception and dinner. Proceeds from the event will benefit Upstate University Health System: Nursing Recruitment, Recognition and Retention Professional Nursing.

Caption: Jane Bennett, M.S.N., N.P, left, of the Employee/Student Health Office, was among those honored for outstanding service at Upstate’s Nursing Excellence Celebration. With Bennett is Nancy Marley-O’Mara of Employee/Student Health.