2024 Excellence in Nursing Awards

Illustration: Getty Images/Irfan Khan Alvi.

What makes a good nurse? Ask anyone in the health care world and they’ll tell you the following: Compassion. An inquiring mind. Perseverance. An unrelenting desire to help people. But what makes an excellent nurse? They’re the ones who hold your hand through the good and bad, who stay by your side well past their shift’s end, who advocate for your best interests and inspire others to follow in their footsteps. The remarkable nurses featured in the following pages go above and beyond to make our state’s residents healthier and happier.

Rhode Island Monthly partnered with the Rhode Island State Nurses Association, which solicited nominations for the best in the field from fifteen categories of nurses. Read on to discover the winners of our tenth annual Excellence in Nursing awards and what sparks their passion, their advice for new nurses and the reasons they chose this dedicated occupation.

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Community/Home/Public Health Nurse 

Veronica Brimpong, MSN, RN

Charge RN, Providence Community Health Centers  

Photography by Chad Weeden

Tell us about your specialty and why you chose it.

I am a community health nurse who works in a primary care office called Providence Community Health Centers. When I worked in a hospital, I felt so out of place — I almost gave up on the profession completely. I took a chance and applied to a whole different type of nursing and felt right at home. I learned that community health outcomes were important to me and I wanted to make a difference holistically in my patients’ lives. Increasing health literacy, addressing various health inequalities and training new nurses became my goal. I recently received my master’s in nursing for population health leadership from Rhode Island College. I decided to go back due to an interaction that I had within an urgent care center as a patient. I knew that I wanted to protect others from the experience I encountered and gain the trust of those who looked like me. 

Was nursing always your career path?

When I entered college, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted it to involve the sciences but couldn’t put a finger on it. It was my brother who planted the seed — he said I had a caring side that always wanted to help others. I decided to give it a try and applied for pre-nursing at Rhode Island College. He saw so early what I learned about myself later in life. Unfortunately, my brother passed away in 2014 in a car accident. I almost didn’t finish school, but I thought of him and pushed through. I will be forever grateful to him.

What makes a successful nursing team?

Trust and communication. Trusting every member of the team is going to do their part to the best of their ability. Also, facilitating open and respectful communication between members assures that everything will run smoothly. A successful team is open to criticism and feedback. With feedback from staff and patients, health outcomes and work procedures can only improve. Also, a successful nursing team encourages accountability without being punitive in order to improve processes and ensure patient safety. My current management team has been a great example of leadership and teamwork. Through this experience, I’ve learned how to be prudent in my professional future and personal goals.

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Clinical Nurse Educator

Dale Monnier, MS, RNC-OB, C-EFM, IBCLC

Professional Practice Clinical Educator, Women & Infants Hospital

Photography by Chad Weeden

Tell us about your specialty and why you chose it.

I grew up in the 1970s when the women’s liberation movement was evolving and Our Bodies, Ourselves was published. I attended an all-women’s university for undergraduate nursing and the one nursing instructor who mentored and made a positive impact on me was
very active in women’s health. My grandmother, mother, aunts, cousins and sisters also afforded strong female support. I continue to be passionate about advocating for women who take care of and are raising our next generation along with all their other loved ones.

What is the most rewarding part of the job?

I strive to make a difference one person at a time. I am a proponent of the humanism learning theory and caring defines my role as a person and a nurse. Being profoundly hearing impaired, it is important to me, as a teacher, that I develop alternate ways for new nurses to learn and be successful. I work to foster an environment that is safe and non-intimidating so that students can learn, trust and confide in me. The most rewarding aspect of my job is watching these nurses gain confidence and comfort in their roles as they evolve into phenomenal nurses growing their own levels of expertise and then step up to support, mentor and teach their newer colleagues.

What are you most proud of in your career?

I am most proud that I persevered in the nursing field and that I have, in some way, made a difference for many nurses who have entered perinatal nursing. I encountered many barriers striding into the nursing field due to my hearing loss. I was the first hearing-impaired student accepted into the nursing program at my undergraduate university. Accommodations had to be made for me. I had to utilize assistive devices to hear blood pressure readings and answer phones, along with other acoustic equipment. Masks are my enemy. I attended a national conference one year where a CEO of a large hospital organization shared his barriers to becoming a nurse when males entering nursing was not common. The one thing that kept him going was a former coach mentor who said that nothing is impossible. All one needs is an apostrophe and “impossible” becomes “I’m possible.” His words inspired me. Helping nurses achieve success in their dream job is pure fulfillment to me.

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Clinical Nurse Specialist 

Jean Salera, DNP, APRN-CNS, FCNS

Associate Chief Nursing Officer of Professional Development, Women & Infants Hospital 

Photography by Chad Weeden

Was nursing always your career path?

No, my first degree was in social work. I worked as a medical social worker, but nursing called to me. More specifically, working in the labor room setting called to me. I left social work, became a childbirth educator, then did labor support and was a postpartum doula before returning to school to become a nurse, and then a clinical nurse specialist.

What are you most proud of in your career?

There are many things I’m proud of, from my academic accomplishments to my research on intended parents and the postnatal period, to publications (including one book chapter). I am most proud of being the first licensed women’s health/gender-related clinical nurse specialist in the state, where my training provides me with a lens to manage and lead change. A women’s health CNS is an advanced practice registered nurse who, with collaboration of the health care team, works with the perinatal and women’s health populations and the nurses who care for these populations to improve outcomes through clinical and change leadership. No matter what professional role I’m in, the approach I take to my work is that of a CNS.

Tell us about a positive experience with a patient.

I will never forget a teenager whom I cared for early in my career when I was working nights in labor and delivery. She was very nervous as she was giving her baby up for adoption. By being present for her and her family, she felt safe, protected and well cared for. I was not with her when she delivered. However, after the baby was born, she took the time to send me a handwritten thank-you note on Winnie the Pooh stationery. It was that patient experience that taught me the impact of presence as a nurse, one of the most important approaches when caring for patients and their families. I still have that note today. I share this story with newer nurses as a way to help them understand the impact of the nurse’s presence.

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Nurse Entrepreneur

Kelly Baxter, DNP, APRN, ACHPN

Founder, Baxter Palliative Care 

Photography by Chad Weeden

What drew you to the nursing field?

I come from a family of nurses. I felt drawn to this work very early on, listening to the stories my mother and aunts would share about their varied experiences in nursing from a variety of settings. Nursing is a profession of the humanities. It’s built upon human connection, trust, empathy and caring. It provides meaningful opportunities to connect with individuals in times of vulnerability, fear, uncertainty and joy. Most people just want to be heard, validated and genuinely cared for — what better way to serve the community? In addition to the emotional aspect, I’ve always enjoyed the science behind the profession, which involves critical thinking, knowledge and continuous learning. 

Tell us about your specialty and why you chose it. 

In my years of practice in critical care, palliative care and hospice, I’ve had the privilege to connect with individuals who are at very fragile moments in life. In these moments, patients are often reflective, thoughtful and prioritize things in a much different manner. It’s a gift to sit in this space with people and share true human connection that knows no color, gender, culture or religion. There is growth and love in times of illness, even humor. I have learned that being present is often the best “treatment.” It is a true honor to care for the sick and dying. 

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

The best part of my job is the patient story — we have two ears and one mouth for a reason. Listening to our patients’ stories is such an important part of providing compassionate care. To experience this journey alongside a patient and their family is the true essence of nursing. You can celebrate joys and accomplishments, grieve difficult changes and losses, and laugh in reflection of good times and simple pleasures. I have an abundance of patient stories that will stay with me forever. Each one as important as the next. I am privileged to be part of their journey. 

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Academic Setting

Joanne Costello, PH.D., MPH, PHCNS-BC

Professor of Nursing, Rhode Island College

Photography by Chad Weeden

What drew you to the nursing field?

I am from a big family of nurses. My mom and two aunts and my grandmother and two sisters are nurses. I was always really curious about science and preventing illness and injury. I was also interested in politics and promoting the well-being of everyone, not just those who could advocate for themselves. Nursing, especially community/public health nursing, puts the emphasis on equity and meeting people where they are, which was a great fit for my temperament and interests.

Tell us about your specialty and why you chose it.

My specialty area is community/public health nursing. When I was a nursing student in my BSN program, I had a clinical course working with teen parents and found that to be extremely interesting. While I loved working in the hospital setting, I found my real home in community/public health nursing, working in home care, hospice, HIV and AIDS care, childhood lead poisoning prevention and as a diabetes educator. I continue to enjoy introducing students to community/public health as coordinator of the Rhode Island College MSN program in population/public health nursing.

What is unique about your job?

My job is unique because I am in a role where I can be all three things I wanted to be when I grew up: a writer, a teacher and a nurse. I get to work as an adviser for graduate students and collaborate with them when writing and to publish my own work. I get to teach students about epidemiology, health policy, health disparities and infectious disease control. I get to use my clinical background as a nurse to teach students about community/public health practice.

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Nontraditional Setting 

Janice Lee, RN, BS, CCM, CCDS

Lead Clinical Documentation Improvement Specialist, Lifespan Corporate Services

Photography by Chad Weeden

What drew you to the nursing field? 

As a little girl, I recall visiting the hospital and being fascinated by the environment and all the activity. I knew early on that I would be a nurse — it was a perfect fit for me as I love helping people. Prior to obtaining my nursing degree, I enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a hospital corpsman. When the active-duty portion of my service was completed, I returned home and worked as a CNA during my four years at Rhode Island College. I graduated with my BS in nursing in 1989.

What are you most proud of in your career?  

I am proud of not being afraid to try something new. I never wanted to get too comfortable. I began my career in med-surg followed by home care, sub-acute rehab, emergency department, case management and finally clinical documentation integrity, where I have been since 2014. My role as an emergency department nurse helped me develop my critical thinking skills and assist people through incredibly challenging and frightening experiences. Case management allowed me to continue using my skills and prepared me for my current role.

What is unique about your job?

It’s unique in that you can do this job for five to ten years and never feel comfortable or at the top of your game. The rules are always changing. One of the most rewarding things is helping providers understand why their documentation matters and that we are on the same team. A unique challenge is trying to explain that although they could document a certain way in the past, the requirements change, and we need to be sure that our documentation truly reflects the care we give and supports the diagnoses we capture on the patient’s record. This role allows me to be a liaison between providers and coders. It includes detective work, critical thinking, knowledge of coding rules and regulations and knowledge of disease processes and treatments. I enjoy collaborating with other departments to work toward better outcomes for patients and improving our data to reflect the severity of illness of our patient population. 

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Long-Term Care

Pamela Bibeault, RNC, BSN, MS, NHA, CLNC, CPHQ, CHC, DNS-CT

President of Triad Health Care LLC, Long-Term Care Consultant

Photography by Chad Weeden

Tell us about your specialty and why you chose it.

My grandmother was the cutest and sweetest elderly lady I have ever known. My love for her had everything to do with my innate love and respect for the elderly. I always knew that helping older people and working in nursing homes was my career path. In my high school yearbook, I said one of my life’s ambitions was to “teach old people how to walk on their hands” (I was a gymnast in those days). My first job when in high school was as a nursing assistant in a small nursing home in Warwick. Knowing I needed to get some hospital clinical experience, I worked in hospitals after graduating from Rhode Island College, but there was never any doubt that long-term care was
going to be my preferred area of expertise.  

What is unique about your job?

I’ve had the pleasure of working with local nursing homes for the past twenty-one years. I am a consultant that not only gets to know the staff, I also know many of the residents in each facility and have a fond relationship with so many of them. These relationships make my job that much more enjoyable and fulfilling. Administrators have told me they work harder because they know how happy it makes me when they achieve positive outcomes and good survey results. They know how much I care about them as people and as caregivers in this field.

What are the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of your job?

My primary function is to help facilities achieve optimal outcomes for their residents and overall facility operation. It’s a business of people taking care of people — the most fragile of our population — and it’s my pleasure to help them be the best they can be. The nursing home industry is highly regulated, making it challenging for teams to consistently perform at a high level. I am constantly reviewing and revising policies to ensure optimal resident outcomes and staff competence. The challenges of this work are many, and it’s ever-changing. The pandemic shattered the nursing home world, and we are forever changed as an industry and as health care workers because of it. We learned a lot, not just about COVID and infection control, but about resilience, teamwork and commitment to our elders and to one another.

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Clinical Practice Nurse

Elizabeth LePage, RN, BSN, PMH-BC 

Behavioral Health Patient Navigator, the Miriam Hospital 

Photography by Chad Weeden

What is unique about your job?

Our emergency department does not have a designated behavioral health treatment area. I oversee the treatment course and assist with providing nursing care to behavioral health/substance use patients. Nurses and clinicians approach me to seek guidance on treatment and to express concerns for this population. I bring these concerns to the leadership’s attention and provide possible solutions to improve processes and safety. I support these patients and staff in any way to provide safety and enrich their experience.

What are the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of your role?

One of the scariest and potentially life-threatening events is violent restraints. My verbal de-escalation techniques have enhanced and avoided some violent restraints. The challenge is allowing an inconvenient amount of time for the verbal de-escalation process to work — emergency room nurses are managing medically unstable patients where time is of the essence. I help alleviate this challenge for staff and de-escalate the situation with the least-restrictive approach.

What are you most proud of in your career?

Honestly, winning this award. I was shocked when my boss told me she nominated me. It was such an honor to receive this level of recognition from a credible professional nurse leader. She’s always encouraging me to keep striving. When I read her nomination, I started crying. Sometimes you do not realize how much people see in you and what you’ve accomplished. Being selected to receive this award is something I never thought I would experience and I’m extremely grateful.

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Nurse Leader 

Zachary Rega-Oliveira, DNP, MHA, PMHNP-BC, NEA-BC

Director of Psychiatric Nursing Services, Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children’s Hospital

Photography by Chad Weeden

Tell us about your specialty and why you chose it.

Human behavior fascinates me and working in psychiatry offers a unique chance to help vulnerable individuals. The profound reward of making a tangible difference in someone’s life — whether through alleviating pain, guiding them toward health or offering hope — drives my passion. Knowing that my work can save lives and shape futures fuels my commitment to this field. I am dedicated to making a lasting, positive impact on mental health care.

What are the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of your role?

One of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects is advocating for and supporting patients to achieve their goals within a fragmented and challenged behavioral health system. It’s challenging because navigating through various bureaucratic hurdles and systemic barriers can be daunting. However, the rewards come from witnessing the positive impact on patients’ lives when they receive the care and support they need despite these obstacles. Being able to make a difference in such a complex environment is incredibly fulfilling.

What is the most interesting thing you’ve learned in this role?

The profound impact of holistic care on patients’ well-being. Integrating mental health, physical health and social support is crucial in achieving better outcomes for patients with behavioral health issues. It’s fascinating to see how comprehensive care plans, tailored to individual needs, can lead to significant improvements in both mental and physical health over time. The journey of advocating for and witnessing these transformations has been incredibly fulfilling and insightful.

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Nurse Practitioner 

Laurie Anderson, MSN, APRN-C, CDOE

Family Nurse Practitioner, Block Island Health Services and South County Hospital 

Photography by Chad Weeden

What drew you to the nursing field?

My grandmother was a licensed practical nurse. I admired her later-life career, which began after raising her family, and enjoyed her stories about the people she cared for. When I was fifteen and looking for summer employment, I found work at a nursing home as a nursing assistant and came to love caring for elderly individuals. They had such great stories to share, and many were happy to have someone just listen. Surprisingly, although I was still working as a certified nursing assistant in college, I struggled to make a career decision. My grandmother suggested that my career was right in front of me, and that was a lightbulb moment!

What is unique about your job?

I work for Block Island Health Services, the only designated rural health center in the state. The rural health designation is given to facilities that serve remote communities where access to equitable health care is limited. We are the only medical facility on the island, so we manage the primary care of about 1,000 year-round residents as well as the urgent and emergency care of residents and visitors. The island receives about 15,000 to 20,000 seasonal visitors per day, especially in the summer months, according to the Block Island Tourism Council. This environment requires providers to be experts in the management of a wide range of medical problems.

Tell us about a positive experience with a patient.

Recently, an elderly woman came to the office with a complaint that was chronic. After we discussed her symptoms and I examined her, I was able to reassure her that it was not a new concern. Our appointment led up to the time of the office lunch break, so I sat with her for a long while, enjoying hearing her talk about her island life. Afterward she said our chat was more therapeutic than anything else I could have done for her that day. Often my best experiences come from really listening.

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Recent Nurse Graduate

Owen Kiernan, BSN, RN

Registered Nurse, the Miriam Hospital

Photography by Chad Weeden

Tell us about your specialty and why you chose it.

I have always found the heart and cardiovascular system fascinating. Starting my career on a cardiac/telemetry unit, learning rhythms and medications came quickly and naturally to me. As I shift my career into critical care, I look forward to expanding my knowledge further.

What is the best part of the job?

The best part of the job is, of course, helping others. Providing clarity, education and peace of mind for patients and families during stessful times is quite rewarding. When appropriate, I try to incorporate a sense of humor into my bedside manner. I always enjoy making a patient laugh or smile when I can. 

What do you hope to achieve in the future with your degree?

My goal is to continue my education and become an advanced practice provider, which I have already started to pursue. Primary care was initially appealing to me. However, with my recent start in intensive care, I look forward to diversifying my bedside experience to help guide me in the future.

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Team of Nurses 

Miriam Hospital Center for Professional Practice and Innovation 

Interviewee: Jean Mellott, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, NE-BC, Director of the Center for Professional Practice and Innovation, the Miriam Hospital

TOP ROW, Left to RIght: Jon Medeiros, BSN, RN, CEN – Emergency Department Advanced Practice Manager; Nicole Hebert, MSN, RN, CNL – Clinical Development Specialist; Allison Dean, MSN, MBA, RN, OCN, NPD-BC – 4E/W Advanced Practice Manager; Jean Mellott, MSN, RN, NPD-BC, NE-BC – Director; Cheryl Jollie – Program Coordinator. MIDDLE ROW, Left to RIght: Nancy Bushy, MSN, RN, ACCNS-BC, CCRN – Critical Care Advanced Practice Manager; Leigh Hubbard, MSN, RN, ONC – Magnet Program Manager; Melanie Marco, MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, NPD-BC – Newly Licensed Nurse Residency Program Manager; Jennifer Coyne, MSN, RN, GERO-BC – 3N/3B Advanced Practice Manager; Melissa Sabella, BSN, RN, OCN – 4B/Float Pool/VAT Advanced Practice Manager. BOTTOM ROW, Left to RIght: Christie Bowser, MSN, APRN, ACCNS-AG, NPD-BC – Clinical Development Specialist; Heather Laplume, BSN, RN, CDOE – Clinical Informatics; Dawn Packer, MSN, RN, CV-BC – 3E/W Advanced Practice Manager; Cynthia Hughes, MSN, RN, NPD-BC – Clinical Development Specialist; Cassandra Algier, BSN, RN, CEN – Emergency Department Advanced Practice Manager. MISSING FROM PHOTOGRAPH: Cathy Insana, MSN, APRN, CCNS, CNOR – Advanced Practice Manager for Surgical Services; Karen Jennings-Mathis, Ph.D., APRN, PMHNP-BC, FAED – Research Scientist; Jill Lukin, MSN, RN, NPD-BC – Clinical Development Specialist. Photography by Chad Weeden

Explain the role of the Center for Professional Practice and Innovation.

This department supports orientation and the ongoing learning and professional development needs of nursing staff. CPPI facilitates the nurse residency program, American Nurses Credentialing Center Magnet designation and professional governance, clinical advancement, staff recognition, academic partnerships, nursing research and evidence-based practice.

What are some team achievements you’re proud of?

When I arrived at the Miriam in 2021, we were still in the throes of the pandemic and the CPPI team had been without a direct leader for about six months. I was pleasantly surprised to find a creative, engaging and highly functioning team working cohesively to get things done. Their strong work ethic and level of respect for colleagues was noticeable. Despite the ongoing challenges in health care at the time, the team greeted each day with a smile and can-do attitude, demonstrating genuine support for new initiatives. The CPPI team eventually grew by fifty percent and became a team of eighteen by the end of 2022. Advanced practice managers, whose primary role is to monitor patient care quality and provide decentralized education on clinical units, merged with their centralized education colleagues.

The team’s shared vision for excellence through the lens of patient quality and safety is best reflected in their accomplishments. In their endless pursuit of zero harm, the team developed a new process in 2023 to educate staff in real time to help reduce falls. Three months later, data analysis revealed they had achieved over 1,000 staff encounters and a greater than 50 percent reduction in patient falls. This year, the team rolled out a tiered skills acquisition model to improve efficiencies in nursing orientation. Within the first six months after implementation, the organization saw a cost avoidance of nearly $100,000. These examples nicely illustrate the power of teams working together and directly align with Lifespan’s success factors.

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Nurse Executive 

Karen Gustafson Mazzola, RN, MSN, NEA-BC

Chief of Clinical Operations, Thundermist Health Center

Photograph courtesy of Karen Gustafson Mazzola

What are you most proud of in your career?

I am immensely proud of the workforce development programs I have implemented, which support employees aspiring to become medical assistants, those advancing to nursing roles and nurses pursuing their nurse practitioner degrees. Witnessing their growth and success has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m honored to have played a role in helping them achieve their career goals.

What makes a successful nursing team?

Our team’s dedication to serving our patients and the community with passion is a source of immense pride for me. I’m particularly proud of the strides the nursing leadership team has made in recent years to accommodate the rapid growth of Thundermist. The establishment of a clinical education department is a testament to our commitment to continuous learning and support for our registered nurses and medical assistants. This initiative ensures the clinical teams are well-equipped to deliver outstanding patient care. The introduction of medical assistant leaders has also been instrumental in providing our staff with guidance from individuals who understand and advocate for the critical role medical assistants play in our health care delivery system. 

What is the most rewarding part of the job?

The work of a nurse in a federally qualified community health center profoundly impacts the communities we serve. As a leader, I’m proud to see this impact extend not just to our patients but also to our employees and the surrounding communities. I’m deeply passionate about ensuring that the leaders on my team have the tools they need to provide exceptional care to our patients. Developing leaders and supporting their growth is something I’m truly enthusiastic about. In my experience, nurse leaders consistently work hard to enhance the lives of their teams and the patients and families they serve. 

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Registered Nurse 

Crystal Lovett, RN

Labor and Delivery Nurse, Women & Infants Hospital

Photograph courtesy of Crystal Lovett

What is unique about your job?

I work in a high-risk and very specialized department. In our labor room, we try our best to have single assignments with our labor and delivery nurses to ensure optimal care is provided to each patient. When looking at each patient, we need to assess both the mother as well as the baby/babies at all times, providing focused, continuous care. My department is fast-paced and filled with action, something I was looking for as a nurse. Working as a labor and delivery nurse for two years now, I’m always learning because every pregnancy and birth is different in its own way.

What is the most rewarding part of the job?

As a labor and delivery nurse, it’s a privilege to share those extremely special moments with my patients. It’s incredibly rewarding to welcome new babies into this world. Every shift I work, I coach my patients through labor, provide adequate pain management for laboring women, and see couples become first-time parents. When my patient is able to have the experience they were hoping for in the labor room, I’m able to go home knowing I contributed positively to their care. Working twelve-hour shifts can quickly burn you out as a bedside nurse, but experiencing these happy and incredibly personal moments with my patients makes it worth it.

What makes a successful nursing team?

A successful nursing team makes a world of difference in a workplace environment. At Women & Infants, I’m happy to say I work with the best team of nurses and wouldn’t be the nurse I am today without them. A successful nursing team shares the same goal, and our team’s goal is to deliver high-quality care and advocacy to our patients and do everything in our power for a healthy mom and baby. I’m able to call out for help at any time and have labor and delivery nurses bedside with me, help me in emergencies, provide care and answer questions for my patient as if they were assigned to them as well. 

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Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist

Jerry Felix, MS, CRNA

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, Northeast Anesthesia Partners and University Gastroenterology

Photograph courtesy of Jerry Felix

What drew you to the nursing field?

Coming from a blue-collar family from the Azores, my parents always taught me the importance of hard work, dedication and job security. It wasn’t until my health careers vocational class at Cranston West High School that I was exposed to the nursing profession, which requires hard work, dedication and has a track record of job security. As I learned more about the profession, the idea of caring for individuals and safely getting them through vulnerable times turned into an honorable calling. I can say without hesitation that I made the right choice. The essential qualities needed to become a successful nurse include being compassionate, adaptive, attentive to detail, and having patience, critical thinking skills and a sense of humor — qualities that have taken me nearly twenty years to polish.

Tell us about your specialty and why you chose it.

The profession of nurse anesthesiology is extremely unique and challenging, but very rewarding. What drew me to the profession were encounters where I saw CRNAs in action. They were always professional, poised and skilled. As I learned more about the profession, I was drawn to the idea of both advancing my career and having an opportunity to make a bigger impact on health care. What I love most about my profession is the autonomy, the diverse workplace settings, high job satisfaction, respect and the opportunity to make an impact. The group of CRNAs I work with at Northeast Anesthesia Partners and University Gastroenterology reinforce why I chose this profession. They provide me with the tools to work to my full potential while sharing the same enthusiasm, vision and values when it comes to providing safe and high-quality anesthesia care. Not to mention an amazing work-life balance. Besides working full-time, I do missionary work in the Dominican Republic every year, an amazing privilege that strengthens my passion and love for patient care.

What is the most rewarding part of the job?

I always refer to CRNAs as health care ninjas. We provide impeccable anesthesia care and most of our patients never know we were there or remember us, which is how we know we did a good job. While my profession is very humbling, there is nothing more rewarding than safely transferring a patient — stable and free of any pain or discomfort — to the recovery room after a surgical procedure. This is the best part of my job and I sleep well at night knowing that my dedication to my profession, patients and colleagues are absolute and unwavering.