Excellence in Nursing Awards 2021
After the last year and a half, these dedicated caretakers earn their place in the spotlight.
Long Term Care Nurse of the Year
Donna Marketos, RN. Photography by Alex Gagne.
Donna Marketos, RN
Long Term Care Nurse at Alpine Nursing Home
How did you get into nursing?
A family member was ill, and I was taking computer classes when someone told me, “You shouldn’t be working in an office, you should be taking care of people.” So, I changed my major. I became a long term care nurse because the relationships that can be built among the staff and residents are more consistent than in acute care settings where staff frequently change positions.
What’s your favorite part of your role?
Giving my residents a sense of control and independence through whatever difficulty or challenges they are currently facing. Seeing the whole picture from psychosocial, spiritual, physical and emotional aspects of each person allows them to have a higher quality of life than just treating the diagnosis.
What impact has COVID-19 had on you as a nurse?
COVID equaled fear, uncertainty and isolation for many people, but particularly the elderly and those in nursing homes. We had to watch our residents struggle with memory loss, fear, loss of hugs and the precious time they had left to be with those they loved. Family members stood in tears at the windows while I came up with solutions to allow them to see one another and let their loved ones know they did not desert them. We became our patients’ families even more so than in normal times. The pandemic, if anything, demonstrated that the responsibilities of a great nurse always go beyond just the chart — we touch the lives of those we serve daily. It is in seeing the whole person that we can help our patients the most. I wish more people in the public realized isolation was not something we felt was beneficial to most of our patients in long term care. When a patient does not have long to live, their goals and the risks they are comfortable taking are much different from those of us who have not yet lived such long and experiential lives.
Nurse Leader of the Year
Carrie Kenyon, BSN. Photography by Alex Gagne.
Carrie Kenyon, BSN
Master of Science Healthcare Administration, candidate, Capella University, December 2021; Administrative Director at Westerly Hospital (Yale New Haven Health)
How did you get into nursing?
I began my career in a completely different field; I majored in culinary arts at Johnson and Wales University and worked for nine years as an executive chef at one of the area casinos. Although I will always love cooking, the role was not as fulfilling to me. I decided to do something more meaningful and where I could make a difference and began my nursing career.
What’s the most rewarding part of your role?
Leading a team of dedicated, highly engaged employees who are caring for their community hospital and watching them excel is the most rewarding aspect of my job. We have all witnessed many changes over the years. It is exciting for us to be a part of Westerly Hospital’s resurgence. Much of that is due to the quality of care that we provide. I am extremely proud of the entire team at Westerly for going above beyond to the greater benefit of our patients.
Tell us about a mentor who made an impact on your career.
From the day I was hired as a critical care staff nurse at Westerly Hospital, Kerin Da Cruz — Westerly Hospital and Lawrence and Memorial Hospital’s chief nursing officer — has been my mentor. She has encouraged me to continue my education and expand my knowledge base. This included opportunities to work in multiple inpatient and outpatient specialties, which have given me great insight into all aspects of hospital operations with a view to improving outcomes. I am currently a master’s degree candidate at Capella University and will graduate in December with a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration. With Kerin’s support, I have also been able to participate in the Yale School of Management as well as Yale’s Advanced Leadership Academy. This has allowed me to continuously grow as a health care professional while developing and fostering internal and external relationships.
Tell us about a standout patient memory.
I once received a call from a community member requesting to transfer her spouse from another facility to our hospital for hospice care. The patient kept stating he wanted to “go home” but his wife said he was not well enough to go home. I called the director of the nursing facility where the patient was and we put the transfer in place after much “negotiating” as the family had to pay out of pocket because it was a personal request. When the patient arrived, I greeted them in the room and he said, “Thank you so much for bringing me home.” He hadn’t meant his house; he wanted to come to Westerly Hospital, his home, his community. Within hours the patient passed peacefully away with his family at his bedside.
Honorable Mentions
Nurse Leader of the Year
Bonita “Bonnie” DeMello, RN
Former Director of Nurses at the Village at Waterman Lake Atrium
“It is an honor and privilege to care for elders and their families. Every patient has a different story and different needs. Finding a way to make a patient’s life a little better is at the heart of nursing. Sometimes it’s just listening and holding a hand, and sometimes it’s saving a life.”
Clinical Practice Nurse of the Year
Jamil R. Halaby III, BS, BSN, RN, CCRN
Registered Nurse at Rhode Island Hospital
“My favorite part is the trust my patients place in me and my role as their advocate. It is an honor to advocate for them, especially during the current pandemic.”
Nurse of the Year in a Non-Traditional Setting
Joan Prendergast, RN, BSN, ANP
Registered Nurse at the Groden Network – Cove Center
“My greatest memories are with the patients, clients, families and friends I have encountered in my fifty-five years of nursing. Nursing is a continuous learning experience. I can truly say that I’ve loved it all.”
Long Term Care Nurse of the Year
Sharon Galloway, DNP, RN, MEd, MSN
Associate Professor, Undergraduate Department Chair at Rhode Island College School of Nursing; per diem nurse at Riverview Healthcare Community
“The most rewarding part is the opportunity to serve in a variety of roles. My love for geriatrics continues to draw me to bedside nursing while my educator role affords me the opportunity to affect knowledge, skills and attitudes of nursing students.”
