Special Edition Featuring... 2004 Humanism in Healthcare Award Winners

Lisa Anderson, Recovery Room
Nominated by Rocio Montoya-Yusty, Volunteer Office
Lisa's exemplary kindness and sensitivity to anxious families is to be commended. Recently, a mother became very worried as she waited to receive word on the status of her autistic daughter who was undergoing surgery. Even the mother's husband was unable to console her. Lisa immediately reached out to the mother, reassuring her that as soon as the daughter's surgery was completed, she would be informed and could then visit her bedside. Because of Lisa's ability to comfort, the mother was able to calm down and return to the waiting area. Another concerned mother who had been reassured by Lisa put it this way, “God put an angel in front of me and her name is Lisa.”

Gary Sabino Benowitz, RN, BSN, Patient Care Services
Nominated by Doreen Monks, APN, Community Outreach (Marketing and Media Relations)
Gary exemplifies the very best of the nursing profession. His dedication to the community outreach programs and to the people he serves is unparalleled. He is continually called upon to participate in community outreach events and never refuses. Whether he is working at a health fair or a screening program, he offers his time and talent to provide extraordinary patient care. He doesn't just stop at taking blood pressure or glucose readings, but reaches out to each individual explaining the details of the tests and their results. Gary also encourages behavioral changes that promote good health, calms frayed nerves and always manages to bring a smile to the faces of his patients.

Laura Diaz-Morik, Hospital Administration, Finance
Nominated by Lois Hull, Patient Advocacy
Greeting card maker, banner designer, desk-top publisher, seamstress, cake cutter, party favor creator – that's our Laura! In addition to her many creative talents, Laura has also organized food and clothing collections for communities devastated by disasters. Recently, we received a very young and terribly sick patient, accompanied by her mother. Both child and mother spoke only Spanish. It was clear from the outset that this patient would require extensive care and that her mother would need considerable support. Laura responded. She provided language interpretation for the child's physicians on a daily basis and because Laura and the family share a cultural background, she was able to establish a bond that grew into a trusting relationship. Laura provided all the essentials for the family and even purchased a doll for the child. Laura served as the link between UH, the patient and her family in the Dominican Republic . She helped to make the unbearable bearable.

Jessie Pressley, Surgical Specialty Clinic
Nominated by Sharon Danquah, RN, Lattimore Clinic, Molly Varghese, RN and Teresa Sanders, RN, Occupational Medicine Services
Jessie is a hard-working, team-spirited and dedicated employee. As a medical health technician, she consistently goes above and beyond to ensure that her patients are comfortable and cared for appropriately. But her work doesn't stop there. Jessie is well known for helping our younger patients by providing them with guidance and advice on their education and future. She is also the first to step in and help her colleagues when things get busy. With employees like Jessie, our hospital continues to enjoy a top-notch reputation.

Vanessa Silva, Nursing, Critical Care Division
Nominated by Linda McGinnis, RN, BS, MA, Critical Care Division
Vanessa provides exceptional support to the Critical Care Division and is instrumental in keeping her team members connected and informed. Her professional demeanor and positive attitude contribute to keeping the department's morale high and complaints low. She is in constant communication with everyone reminding them of meetings that must be attended, reports that are due and schedules that must be kept. Vanessa is the backbone to the entire department and her high energy is wonderfully contagious!

Robert Smith, Pharmacy
Nominated by Linda McGinnis, RN, BS, MA, Critical Care Division,Esther Aligmayo, NM, SICU, Eloisa Laudato, RN, ANM, SICU, and the E-Blue and SICU Staff
Bob continually reaches above and beyond his duties as a pharmacist to ensure that quality patient care is rendered. He often works well beyond his regularly scheduled hours, running to fill STAT medication orders and assist the staff with their many requests. Bob never goes home until all the work is completed. He is reliable, dependable and always available to answer questions. It is with pride and joy that the E-Blue and SICU staff recognize the great Mr. Robert Smith!

Coville Tobias, Pharmacy
Nominated by Tynise C. Gordon, CNA, E-Yellow
Corville is an amazing asset to University Hospital . Courteous and efficient, Corville goes that extra mile to ensure that Five Star Service is always delivered. Corville is highly responsive to the high volume of pharmaceutical requests and will take the time to inform the staff the moment the order is completed. He is always willing to run back and forth to the units to ensure that orders are received as quickly as possible. The staff members often praise Corville for being prompt, caring and pleasant.

Joseph Tutt, EMS
Nominated by Emerald Tutt, Volunteer Department (and adoring daughter!)
Joe thought he was just motoring off with his family en route to a relaxing vacation, when fate suddenly stepped in. Stopped at a red light, he heard a horrible crash and suddenly saw a car flip over onto its roof. Immediately, he ran to the car and started to provide emergency medical assistance and words of comfort to the shocked and injured passengers. Because of Joe's quick thinking and smart actions, the passengers received high quality care well before the police or ambulance even arrived. Emerald, his daughter, could not have been prouder and because of this, was inspired to nominate her Dad for the Five Star Service Award!

The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey Winners of the 2004 Humanism in Healthcare Awards The Humanism in Healthcare Awards honors those who have consistently demonstrated compassion, kindness and a humanistic spirit in the delivery of care to patients and their families. We are most proud of our winners, Marie Dauphin and Doreen Monks. Thanks for giving from your hearts and providing exceptional care to our patients.

Marie Dauphin, Medical Health Technician, Infectious Disease Practice
Nominated by Kyra Sinkowsky, Infectious Disease Practice

Marie exceeds the highest standards of humanistic patient care. She greets the patients not in a scripted manner, but in one that recognizes the individuality of each patient - she recalls their last visit, asks specific questions about how they are feeling and makes sure they can fully understand the answers to their questions. In each of Marie's interactions, one can clearly attest to the degree to which she truly respects and values humanity. Marie is never harried. She remains calm even in the presence of turmoil or challenging patients.

Marie began at University Hospital in 1990, working in almost every unit of the hospital, including the medical, surgical and oncology units. In 1999, she joined the Infectious Disease Practice. Her ability to speak French and Creole is both an asset to the clinic as well as a critical link to the Newark community at large.

In her daily exchanges with patients she performs her assigned duties with competence, marked compassion and a genuine concern whereby no detail of the patient's comfort escapes her. If a patient mentions that they are thirsty, Marie makes the time to secure water. If a patient feels hungry, Marie will manage to get them something to eat. Patients sense that she truly cares and because of this, are able to developing a trusting relationship with her and the other providers. To our patients, Marie represents the best of what the medical field has to offer – dignity and hope for a better life. Marie has a sincere belief in the greatness of human beings and the dignity of each person. It is the translation of these beliefs into daily actions that make her an exceptional care taker in the truest sense of the word.

Doreen Monks, APN, Community Outreach (Marketing and Media Relations)
Nominated by Robin Preisler, Marketing and Media Relations

Whether it's a health fair in a church or an informational session at a large corporation, Doreen's concern, warmth, and dedication are immediately evident to everyone. Her ability to connect with people transcends race, language, ethnicity, or age and as a result, she is able to engage the most recalcitrant participants in healthful behaviors and choices.

Doreen began at University Hospital in 1995, working in the Department of Nursing Education and Professional Development. She then advanced to the Department of Neurosciences working for Stroke Services. In 2004, she joined the Marketing and Media Relations Department and became the hospital's first full-time community outreach nurse with a specialty in stroke education. She has since broadened her outreach responsibilities to include a host of disorders and diseases that plague the greater Newark community.

Doreen is single-handedly responsible for screening hundreds of local residents, most of them seniors, for stroke risk factors, education and follow-up. She helped launch and continues to staff the hospital's new ‘House Calls' program, which brings healthcare directly to the frail elderly in the Newark community. Working alongside a geriatrician, Doreen brings the services of an internal medicine practice directly into the apartments of residents who are too ill or frail to travel. Doreen is direct in her ability to reach out to a broad array of people. She cares deeply, but with good humor, about the people she meets. And she is a particularly talented and empathetic provider of medical treatment, easy to understand information, and old-fashioned compassion.
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