ELMER
BRIDGETON
VINELAND
MANNINGTON
MULLICA HILL
WOODBURY
Mission and Vision
Our mission, vision and values are the foundation of what we do every day. They are designed to center every Inspira team member around a common purpose and inspire us to continually raise the bar for ourselves, our patients and our community.
Mission
To provide a safe and compassionate experience that improves the health and well-being of our community by placing the safety of our patients and support of our employees at the center of all we do.
Vision
Inspira Health inspires and empowers healthier communities by creating the highest quality and most desirable patient experience in the region.
Values
Values - I.C.R.E.A.T.E.
Innovation
We strive to employ ingenuity and new standards of care to improve our work every day.
Compassion
We treat everyone equally with kindness and respect.
Reliability
We put the safety of our patients, compliance and best practice at the forefront of all we do.
Empathy
We listen and genuinely relate to others in order to make them feel seen and appreciated.
Access
We provide a high-quality patient experience to all people.
Teamwork
We collaborate and utilize the full breadth of the Inspira network to improve the experience of our patients.
Empowerment
We educate and inspire positive change and healthier long-term outcomes.
Looking Toward the Future of Inspira Nursing
I was honored and humbled to be named Inspira Health’s Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) in 2024. As we reflect on all that 2023 has taught us, I am proud to lead our team in creating Inspira Health’s future of nursing.
In 2024 and beyond, our team will focus on the strategic imperatives of workforce development, academic partnerships, clinical patient outcomes, healthy practice environments and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging (DEIB), all under the framework of empowerment.
One of our goals is to create and improve programs for professional development—such as hybrid education and mentoring—to meet the needs of our nurses at every career stage, which leads to greater autonomy at the bedside. In addition, Inspira Nursing Leaders will work closely with our academic partners to offer opportunities for advanced degrees and career advancement. We will also build upon Inspira’s evidence-based practice framework to continue to improve clinical patient outcomes and meet the needs of diverse patient populations.
As we continue our Magnet journey, we will work to achieve Magnet with Distinction. This recognition honors top-tier organizations that have achieved the highest level of nursing excellence while addressing emerging challenges and changes in health care moving forward.
I look forward to the exciting new ventures to come.
Terri Veneziano, M.S.N., R.N., C.E.N.P., Chief Nursing Officer, Inspira Health
A Reflection on 2023
As we close another year and embrace the growth and excitement 2024 has to offer, it is our honor and privilege to share this snapshot of the work the nursing department undertook in 2023.
Nursing embodied the organization’s values (innovation, compassion, reliability, empathy, access, teamwork and empowerment) in a way that made our mission of providing safe and compassionate experiences possible for the community. Performance improvement projects, the implementation of evidence-based practices and ongoing innovative nursing research have aided the process by which Inspira’s nurses have provided high-quality care and desirable patient experiences.
Nursing continued to experience growth through educational opportunities, new technology and support from the organization. The team has remained committed to their patient population by providing patientand family-centered care.
We are proud of our continued commitment to excellence in nursing. As Inspira Medical Center Mannington has formalized their role within the Inspira network, we are excited to take an active part in Inspira’s nurse-driven shared governance councils and inter-professional quality teams. We have been redesignated by the Commission on Magnet® at Inspira Medical Centers Vineland and Elmer and Inspira Health Center Bridgeton. We also maintain our Pathway to Excellence® designation at Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill and Inspira Health Center Woodbury (the written document accepted by the Commission on Pathway to Excellence and the validation survey is to be completed in February 2024).
Terri Spoltore, D.N.P., M.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N., VP of Patient Care Services, Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill and Inspira Health Center Woodbury (Pathway to Excellence CNO)
Julie Arsenault, D.N.P., R.N., N.E.-B.C., VP of Patient Care Services, Inspira Medical Center
Mannington
Kimberly Talley, M.S.N., R.N., C.R.N.P., C.N.M.L.B.C., F.A.B.C., VP of Patient Care Services, Inspira Medical Centers Vineland and Elmer, Inspira Health Center Bridgeton (Magnet CNO)
Nursing Excellence
Nurse Ethnicities
Longest Tenured Nurses By Location
Magnet-Designated Locations
Inspira Health Center Bridgeton and Inspira Medical Centers Elmer and Vineland have enculturated the Magnet model for nursing excellence. The Magnet Recognition Program aims to elevate patient outcomes and care in an environment where nurses set a standard for excellence through leadership, scientific discovery and implementation of new knowledge.
The Magnet site appraisers visited our campuses in September and we received notice of successful redesignation in November. In 2008, Inspira became one of the first three-hospital systems in New Jersey to be designated. Currently, fewer than 500 organizations out of more than 6,300 hospitals in the United States have achieved this recognition.
Pathway to ExcellenceDesignated Locations
Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill and Inspira Health Center Woodbury have enculturated the Pathway to Excellence model for nursing excellence. The Pathway to Excellence Program recognizes a health care organization’s commitment to creating a positive practice environment that empowers and engages staff, demonstrating a culture of sustained excellence.
Our campuses submitted our Pathway to Excellence redesignation document in November and we expect to receive notice of successful redesignation in 2024. Inspira was the first hospital system in South Jersey and the only acute care hospital system in the Philadelphia metropolitan area to achieve the Pathway to Excellence designation. Fewer than 250 U.S. health care organizations have achieved this recognition.
Antoinette Vitale, B.S.N., R.N.: 31 years of service
Sharon Heath, B.S.N., R.N., C.P.H.N.: 44 years of service
Chris Sharkey, B.S.N., R.N.: 46 years of service
Andrea Fontenot, B.S.N., R.N.: 32 years of service
Sally Molter, R.N.: 46 years of service
Rosia Rivera, R.N.: 49 years of service
Innovation
Betty Neuman Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) and Janet Davies Research Awards
Vineland Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and pediatric nurses Ashley Krimmel, M.S.N., R.N., and Erin Cooper, B.S.N., R.N., C.P.N., C.P.E.N., were honored with the 13th Annual Betty Neuman EBP Award for their units’ project, “Eat, Sleep, Console.” Their project focused on the non-pharmacologic management of neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). This evidence-based practice implementation has reduced the length of stay, NICU admissions and medication exposure for infants born with in-utero exposure to opiates.
Vineland Cardiac Progressive Care Unit (CPCU) nurse Donna Weaver, B.S.N., R.N.-B.C., was honored with the 13th Annual Betty Neuman Research Council Award for the unit project, “When Two Becomes One.” This project piloted the first progressive care unit (PCU) at Inspira as an evidence-based response to the demand for higher acuity beds.
Elmer Labor, Delivery, Recovery, Postpartum (LDRP) nurses Maria Jefferson, B.S.N., R.N.C.; Megan Barcelo, B.S.N., R.N.C.; Rhonda Atkinson, B.S.N., R.N.C.; Annette Guy, B.S.N., R.N.C.; and Michaela Johnson, B.S.N., R.N.C., were honored with the Third Annual Janet Davies Research Award for their study, “Nitrous Oxide for Labor Analgesia.” Their project studied the influence of nitrous oxide on laboring mothers’ pain levels.
Strongline Staff Safety System
In 2023, we introduced the Strongline Staff Safety System to our hospital network. This system provides staff with a panic button to discreetly and instantly summon help if they feel threatened in an event of workplace violence. Staff can simply press the button on the wearable Strongline badge, which sends a silent distress alert with their name and realtime location to security personnel, nearby colleagues and designated responders. This notification provides new technology improvements for employee safety, allowing for an immediate response to the person in need.
Sponge Detection for Operating Rooms
Mullica Hill, Vineland and Elmer acquired new technology to assist in eliminating retained sponges, which is a patient safety concern in surgical areas. This technology allows patients to be scanned before closing the surgical site to confirm that all sponges have been removed.
Joeybands to Support the “Eat, Sleep, Console” Method
With the help of the Inspira Foundation, Maternal Child Health staff provided Joeybands to parents using the “Eat, Sleep, Console” method, an evidence-based practice that provides comfort to treat infants exposed to opioids. Joeybands help provide correct positioning and support for skinto-skin contact, which has been shown to help with newborn withdrawal symptoms.
Infection Prevention Escape Room
Each year, Inspira’s Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) and Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI) Prevention Committees host an innovative special educational event. In 2023, Mullica Hill presented an escape room to educate staff on CLABSI and CAUTI prevention.
Colcom Pad Alarms
During COVID, patient doors had to remain closed and staff nurses shared that they were having trouble hearing pad alarms because they only sounded inside patient rooms. As a result, the Practice Council discussed the issue, trialed new pad alarms and implemented the Colcom Pad Alarm network-wide. The pad alarm directly links to the nurse call light system, alerts the staff on their SpectraLink phones, sounds at the nurse’s station through the nurse responder system and flashes indicator lights outside the patient’s room. The Colcom monitors also have a silent alarm feature.
Essential Clinical Dataset (ECD) Implementation
In April, Inspira implemented an ECD, a tool that combines evidence-based nursing practices with predefined guiding principles to help reduce the burden of nursing documentation during inpatient admission assessments.
Virtual Nursing Pilot Program
In August, Vineland 2 East launched a 12-week virtual nursing pilot program. This program disrupts the traditional patient care model by alleviating the workload of bedside nurses. During the pilot program, virtual nurses practicing from an in-house remote location took on the primary responsibility of collecting admission information and providing discharge instructions to patients.
Updated Bowel Regimen Protocol
In July, the Mullica Hill Observation Unit (OBS) launched a nurse-driven bowel regimen protocol. This protocol empowers nurses to provide care for patients receiving opioids who have not had a bowel movement in 48 hours.
UKG Dimensions Transition
In November, Inspira transitioned from Kronos to UKG Dimensions, a workforce management software that streamlines operational functions like scheduling, general workforce planning and more.
Research Council Day
In May, the Research Council hosted its first Research Day activity—a virtual game of “Deal or No Deal”—since becoming a network council in 2022. Inspira’s Research Council discusses and assists with current and proposed research studies and the Institutional Review Board (IRB) process.
World Clinical Trials Day
On May 20, the Inspira Clinical Research Office celebrated World Clinical Trials Day by offering a thank you to past and present clinical trial patients who have helped advance science and health care. The team also hosted an informational event with games and prizes in each campus cafeteria to improve awareness of the importance of clinical trials and the cutting-edge care we offer in our rural community. The Clinical Research Office also shares education on the importance of diversity and representation in clinical trials.
Nursing Research Projects
Implementation of Specially Trained Behavioral Health Techs to Care for Behavioral Health Patients in a Community Hospital Emergency Department
Becoming a Baby-Friendly Hospital: A Descriptive Single Case Study
Steps for Success:
An Implementation Science Study for Improving Inpatient Voiding Trials
Expedited 1/3/2023 Open
PI: Matthew Tisa, M.S., B.S.N., R.N.
Expedited Ph.D. Project 2/28/2023 Closed
PI: Margaret (Peggy) White, D.N.P., R.N., N.E.A.-B.C.
PI: Gail D’Amico, B.S.N, R.N., C.I.C. Sub-I:
Expedited 11/2/2023 Open
Monica Dominic, M.S.N., R.N., C.M.S.R.N.
Katharine Pfleger, M.S.N., R.N., A.G.C.N.S.B.C., C.W.O.C.N.
PI: Lynne M. Giglio, M.S.N., M.B.A., R.N.
Sub-I:
Barriers for Patients with Cancer to Participate in Complementary Integrative Therapies and Support Groups Exempt 12/7/2023 Open
Barriers to Shared Governance Participation Expedited 12/19/2023 Open
Sami Abate, Ph.D., M.S.H.S., M.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N., C.N.M.L.
Mylene Go, M.D.
Lena Lanning, M.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N.
Jennifer Hart, B.S.N., R.N., O.C.N.
Colette Goranson, M.S.N., R.N., O.C.N.
Barbara Garrett, B.S.N., R.N., O.C.N.
PI: Heather Williams, B.A., P.A.C.E, L.S.S.G.Y.
Sub-I:
Beth Henderson, B.S.N., R.N., C.N.M.L.
Beth Sweet, A.A.S., P.A.C.E.
Lisa Blystone, M.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N.
Jennifer Hart, B.S.N., R.N., O.C.N.
Colette Goranson, M.S.N., R.N., O.C.N.
Sami Abate, Ph.D., M.S.H.S., M.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N., C.N.M.L. (Inspira Mentor)
PI: Robin Davis, B.S.N., R.N.
Stress Management SelfEfficacy Among Acute Care Hospital Nurses
Exempt 12/19/2023 Open
The Application of Weighted Blanket Therapy to Adult Patient Population for the Improvement of Sleep and Sense of Well-being
Expedited 12/20/2023 Open
Sub-I:
Veronica Perez, B.S.N., R.N.-C.
Ideana Hunter, M.S.N., R.N., C.M.S.R.N.
PI: Maureen Love, M.S.N., RN, F.N.-C.S.A., M.B.S.C.R.
Sub-I:
Kimberly DeRoxtra, B.S.N., R.N.-C.
Concetta Pasquarello, M.S.N., M.B.A., R.N., P.H.R.N.
Dana Bell, B.S.N., R.N.
Compassion and Empathy
CuraLinc Resources for Employees
In November, Inspira employees gained access to CuraLinc—a free service that offers well-being and work-life balance resources to help address and resolve everyday stressors. This employee assistance program (EAP) offers several resources and components to guide and support employees and their families, including counseling services, work-life balance tools and referrals for childcare, housing needs, education and more.
Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI) Data Collection
In accordance with New Jersey law, Inspira provides each patient with a questionnaire that asks for information related to their sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) during registration. This information appears in our Cerner applications, including Soarian Financials, Revenue Cycle and PowerChart, allowing for compassion and empathy in our everyday work.
Woodbury Behavioral Health Unit (BHU) Volunteers at the Ronald McDonald House
In June, volunteers from the Woodbury BHU cooked a meal at the Ronald McDonald House. In November, the team also volunteered at the Woodbury Food Pantry.
Out of the Darkness Walk
In October, multiple units participated in Cumberland and Gloucester County’s Out of the Darkness Walk. The behavioral health departments were recognized as a top team for their participation in both counties, raising thousands of dollars and awareness.
Volunteerism Awards
Evelyn Cannon, D.N.P., A.P.R.N., was honored with the 2023 Volunteerism Award for the Vineland, Elmer and Bridgeton campuses. Among her many volunteer activities, Evelyn has served as a volunteer nurse at Union Baptist Temple for over 25 years.
Kelsey Meiler, B.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N., was honored with the 2023 Volunteerism Award for the Mullica Hill and Woodbury campuses. Kelsey helped open St. Peter’s Community Food Pantry in East Greenwich and continues to volunteer with food collection and distribution.
Spring Clothing Drive
In May, the Patient Relations team held its annual Spring Clothing Drive to support patient hospitality closets. Clothing was collected at five locations (Bridgeton, Elmer, Vineland, Mullica Hill and Woodbury) and sorted to be distributed to hospitality closets and the Twice Loved Treasures thrift store.
Jersey Cares Coat Drive
The nursing teams at Mullica Hill collected 64 gently used winter coats for their Jersey Cares Coat Drive, which benefits thousands of underserved men, women, children and infants in South Jersey.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Food Drive
The nursing teams at Mullica Hill collected 320 lbs. of food for their annual Peanut Butter and Jelly Food Drive, which benefits the Food Bank of South Jersey.
Schwartz Rounds
Schwartz Rounds offers providers a forum to recognize and discuss the emotional experiences they have when caring for patients, facing unexpected outcomes and having difficult conversations. The themes for 2023 Schwartz Rounds included:
• Hazardous to Your Health: Violence in Health Care
• What is Your Why? Reflecting on Our Purpose in Health Care
• Making the Invisible Visible
• Gratitude
• When the Hospital Becomes Home
• Growth and Change
• Caring for Patients When They Don’t Care for Themselves
• Keeping Inspira Safe: Diffusing Difficult People
• Supporting Compassionate Caregiving: Who Cares for Us?
The
is a program that recognizes nurses who provide above-and-beyond compassionate care to patients and families. Inspira recognized the following nurses in 2023:
Kelsea Keenan, B.S.N., R.N., Mullica Hill 4 West
Mary MacNeil, R.N., Vineland Pediatrics
Mary O’Brien, B.S.N., R.N., Elmer ED
Sandra Platoni, M.S.N., R.N., C.R.N.F.A., Vineland Operating
Michelle Alston, B.S.N., R.N., Bridgeton Emergency Department (ED)
Jabrea Childers, R.N., Vineland 2 East
Room (OR)
Tallie Ross, R.N., C.M.S.R.N., Elmer 2 East
Damien Southrey, B.S.N., R.N., Mullica Hill 5 East
Brianna Susini, B.S.N., R.N., Elmer 2 East
Abigail Warner, B.S.N., R.N., Mullica Hill Intensive Care Unit (ICU)
Jonathan Whitelam, R.N., Mullica Hill ICU
Dolores Ziegler, M.S.N., R.N., Bridgeton Adult Mental Health Unit (AMHU)
DAISY Nurse Leader Honorees:
The DAISY Award®
DAISY Award
Wendy Rosen, M.S.N., R.N.C., clinical nurse educator, Mullica Hill Maternal Newborn
Katelyn Rathof, M.S.N., R.N.C., nurse manager, Mullica Hill ED
Reliability
Vineland Achieves Beacon Recognition
Vineland’s Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU) and Cardiac Progressive Care Unit (CPCU) were both awarded a gold-level Beacon Award for Excellence by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). The Beacon Award for Excellence recognizes units that distinguish themselves by providing high-quality patient care in a healthy work environment. This marks the fourth gold Beacon Award for Excellence for Vineland’s CICU and the first gold Beacon Award for Excellence for Vineland’s CPCU.
Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades
Twice a year, the Leapfrog Group assigns letter grades to hospitals based on national performance measures that reflect errors, accidents, injuries and infections, as well as systems in place to prevent harm. Elmer, Mullica Hill and Vineland received “A” Hospital Safety Grades for both the Spring and Fall 2023 rating periods.
American Heart Association (AHA) Get With The
Guidelines® Award
Mullica Hill earned the AHA’s Get With The Guidelines – Resuscitation Gold award for continued success in applying up-to-date, evidence-based treatment guidelines to improve patient care and outcomes.
Bariatrics Accreditation
Bariatric programs at Mullica Hill and Vineland are both accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) and named Surgical Quality Partners by the American College of Surgeons. In 2023, the Mullica Hill and Vineland campuses performed 144 and 226 bariatric procedures, respectively. In addition, Mullica Hill nurses created a patient-focused decision-making tool as a quality improvement (QI) project, which resulted in a 14 percent increase in referrals from Inspira Medical Group primary care offices. Vineland nurses reduced the rate of post-operative anastomotic ulcers from 6.67 percent to 2.5 percent with their 2023 QI project.
DNV Stroke Survey
In May, Vineland and Mullica Hill received full accreditation as DNV Primary Stroke Centers and Elmer was named a DNV Acute Stroke Ready hospital. These designations are determined by the results of a three-day survey of hospital procedures, educational and licensure requirements, policies, stroke measures and more. Community education is the cornerstone of Inspira’s stroke program, and in 2023, the program distributed over 8,000 stroke education flyers to the community and 5,000 to pharmacy patients.
Chest Pain Center Accreditation
In October, Mullica Hill and Vineland were recognized as Chest Pain Centers with Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) by the American College of Cardiology.
Other Notable Awards
• Women’s Choice Award Best Hospitals for Obstetrics: Elmer
• Women’s Choice Award Best Hospitals for Orthopedic Care: Elmer
• Baby Friendly USA Baby-Friendly Birthing Center: Elmer
ICU Critical Care Fairs
In recognition of Critical Care Awareness Month, Vineland ICU held an educational skills fair in the spring. The fair consisted of 16 ICU-specific skills and equipment stations, each led by ICU R.N. staff. In July, Mullica Hill ICU organized a Critical Care Fair, where nursing staff similarly focused on skills. These venues help to strengthen clinical skills through peer-to-peer education.
Acute Care Hands-On Skills
Carnival: “Nurses Sharing and Caring”
Clinical nurse educator Carol Copsey, M.S.N., R.N.-B.C., in collaboration with Unit-Based Council (UBC) members, organized a carnival-themed educational fair in October. Topics presented included PleurX catheters, patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pumps, wound vacs, Foley catheter insertion, continuous bladder irrigation, Mediport insertion and removal, hospital-acquired pressure injury (HAPI) and fall prevention measures, IV insertion, chest tubes, IV add mixture and many more. All topics were taught by R.N.s using the peer-to-peer educational learning approach. Approximately 150 bedside R.N.s, P.C.T.s, student nurses and physician residents attended.
Health Care Quality Week
Inspira celebrated Infection Prevention and Health Care Quality Week October 15-21 and highlighted the Quality Showcase the week of November 6. Hosted by our Quality and Patient Safety and Nursing Excellence teams, the Quality Showcase gave teams throughout the network an opportunity to use their creativity to highlight quality outcomes, nurse-sensitive indicators, patient satisfaction, the Engagement and Safety Survey and our High Reliability tools. More than 800 employees participated throughout the network, creating 28 harvest-themed displays.
ZERO HeRO Awards
During Infection Prevention and Health Care Quality Week, Inspira recognized units for preventing patient harm. These awards celebrate units with 1, 2, and more than 3 years without CAUTI, CLABSI, hospitalonset C. diff, hospital-onset MRSA bacteremia, fall with injury and HAPI stage II or higher (2+). The following units earned ZERO HeRO awards in 2023:
INSPIRA MEDICAL CENTER ELMER
• 2 South Acute Care
• 2 East Acute Care
• ICU
• LDRP
• Surgical Services
INSPIRA MEDICAL CENTER MANNINGTON
• 3 North Acute Care
• ICU
INSPIRA MEDICAL CENTER MULLICA HILL
• 5 West Acute Care
• 5 East Acute Care
• 4 West Step-Down
• 4 East Step-Down
• 3 East ICU
• 3 West OBS/Acute Care
• Intermediate Care Nursery
• Pediatrics/Pediatric ED
INSPIRA MEDICAL CENTER VINELAND
• Surgical PCU (SPCU)
• Surgical ICU (SICU)
• Medical ICU (MICU)
• CICU
• 2 East Acute Care
• NICU
• Mother Baby
• Pediatrics
Great Catches
Each month, we recognize individuals who use our High Reliability tools in their day-to-day work. The following registered nurses received a Great Catch or Speak Up for Safety recognition:
Art Matthews, R.N., Woodbury BHU
Mastracchio, B.S.N., R.N., Vineland CPCU
Fox, B.S.N., R.N., Mullica Hill Maternity
Reeves, R.N.C.-O.B., Elmer LDRP
Samantha
Christina
Constance
Access
Woodbury Topping Off Ceremony
In March, Inspira celebrated the installation of the final steel beam for a building that will be the new home for a satellite emergency department and inpatient behavioral health program in Woodbury. The $71 million redevelopment project includes the recent consolidation of services on the campus into a newly remodeled medical office building and family medicine center; construction of a new stateof-the-art facility that will house the 24,900-square-foot 19-bed satellite emergency department and 21,500-square-foot 20-bed inpatient behavioral health center; and a new EMS station.
Inspira Medical Center Mannington
In early 2023, Inspira celebrated the integration of Salem Medical Center to our comprehensive health care system. Now known as Inspira Medical Center Mannington, the hospital, ambulatory surgery center and physician offices have allowed us to increase access to convenient, high-quality care in South Jersey.
Voluntary Behavioral Health Unit
In September, we announced a new designated voluntary behavioral health unit set to open at Bridgeton. The new unit has 19 voluntary beds for adults and is supplemental to the 33-bed behavioral health inpatient adult unit, which is a mix of voluntary and involuntary beds. It was designed as a short-stay unit meant to create system efficiencies while providing safe, compassionate, quality and timely care for the community.
Dispensary of Hope
In 2023, Inspira began offering the Dispensary of Hope (DOH) program, which delivers critical medication free of cost to people who need it but cannot afford it. It is a charitable medication distributor dedicated to providing pharmacies with reliable access to medication. Inspira is one of 180 DOH site programs within the United States that provide free medications to over 50,000 patients.
Renovations at Vineland
Vineland facilities received several renovations and updates to allow for growth and new technology. Units updated include Inpatient Dialysis, ED side D, Cath Lab and Pre-Post Procedural Unit.
Celebrating Unit Anniversaries
In August, the Discharge Lounge in Mullica Hill celebrated one year of operation. The Discharge Lounge has reduced medication errors, improved access to medications, increased referrals to the retail pharmacy and decreased readmission rates.
In September, the Vineland Medical Progressive Care Unit (MPCU) celebrated the one-year anniversary of its opening as a combined unit (previously an acute and step-down unit).
Teamwork
Pathway to Excellence Team of the Year
The Mullica Hill Newborn Drop/Fall Committee was recognized as the Pathway to Excellence Team of the Year. This interprofessional team consists of direct care nurses, nursing leadership (including the clinical nurse educator and nurse manager), physicians, marketing, patient experience and patient safety and quality. The team identified a problem with a type of patient falls, referred to as newborn drops. They worked together to create a multifaceted strategy to prevent newborn falls, including animated videos, visual crib reminders, verbal talking points for direct care nurses to use after risk assessments, implementation of an infant-positioning device called the Joeyband and recognition for employees who identify any unsafe behavior or near miss.
Magnet Team of the Year
The Vineland 2 East Unit was recognized as the Magnet Team of the Year. This team implemented a Turn Team Program to help prevent HAPIs. Staff on the unit are assigned in teams of two and patrol the unit every two hours to turn patients who are identified with a high risk for developing pressure injuries. Prior to program implementation, the staff received education on the prevention measures available, their correct uses and how to ensure all prevention measures were in place for patients. The turn team resulted in a drastic reduction in HAPIs, an improvement in documentation and patient satisfaction and enhanced teamwork among staff members.
Heparin Advisor Tool in Cerner
The Clinical Transformation team and pharmacy department, in conjunction with bedside nurses, implemented Heparin Advisor, a new tool that supports clinician workflow while caring for a patient who is on a heparin blood thinner infusion. It is embedded within Cerner and is designed to help nurses manage high-risk infusions effectively with evidence-based guidelines, leverage clinical decision support (CDS) to present context-aware protocol recommendations and minimize human error from complex calculations.
Wellness Days
To support employees on their wellness journey, the Inspira Employee Health and Wellness department offers Wellness Days to all Inspira employees. These events give staff the chance to learn about health resources, access free health screenings and participate in interactive wellness activities. Wellness Days include interactive activities like pet therapy, seated chair massage therapy and health risk appraisals.
Nursing Quality and Coordinating Councils Merger
The Nursing Quality Councils and the Coordinating Councils at all Inspira locations merged to become network-wide. The Nursing Quality Council reviews each unit’s patient satisfaction scores and nursesensitive indicators, and will now be able to identify opportunities for improvement and share data across the network. The Coordinating Council discusses and updates unit goals and projects. A network approach to the Coordinating Council allows for more ideasharing and teamwork across campuses.
Crisis Response Canines
Inspira partnered with Crisis Response Canines (CRC) as part of a holistic approach to our Workplace Violence Prevention Program. This organization’s mission is to “provide strength, comfort and emotional support” to individuals who have experienced critical incidents. The CRC organization visits our hospitals with its highly trained canines to promote employee wellness and offer comfort to staff when needed.
Scrapbooking Events
In the summer, scrapbooking events were held on the Vineland, Elmer and Bridgeton campuses to prepare for Magnet redesignation and create excitement surrounding the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) site visit. Each unit across the three campuses created scrapbook pages to highlight their accomplishments over the four years since the last Magnet designation.
Zen Den for Deborah F. Sager NICU in Vineland
The implementation of mindful meditation and the opening of a meditation “Zen Den” improved this unit’s patient satisfaction, reduced the number of errors and boosted employee engagement scores. This room is an addition to the existing Zen Dens at Vineland.
Empowerment
New Leadership Roles at Inspira
This year marked the retirement of Betty Sheridan, B.S.N., M.A., R.N., N.E.A.-B.C., F.A.C.H.E., after more than two decades of service to Inspira. As Sheridan stepped down from her position as chief administrative officer for Elmer and Vineland, Lydia Stockman, M.H.A., R.N., F.A.C.H.E., stepped into a newly created position: senior vice president, chief administrative officer for Inspira Medical Center. In this role, Stockman oversees all acute care services across Inspira Health’s hospitals, as well as health centers in Bridgeton and Woodbury.
In January, Brooke Zacheis, M.B.A., M.S.N., R.N., N.E.-B.C., joined Inspira as our new vice president of clinical operations. In her role, she ensures all employees are best equipped to serve our organization and patients and fulfill our strategic plan goals.
In March, Kimberly Talley, M.S.N., R.N., C.R.N.P., C.N.M.L.-B.C., F.A.B.C., assumed the duties of chief nursing officer for Vineland, Elmer and Bridgeton.
Cancer Moonshot Initiative Presentation
In March, Sami Abate, Ph.D., M.S.H.S., M.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N., C.N.M.L., AVP of Nursing Excellence and Clinical Research, was invited to attend and present at the Cancer Moonshot Initiative’s Colorectal Cancer Forum at the White House. Abate shared Inspira’s success in enrolling patients from a rural location in an early-access program for colorectal cancer screening. Subsequently, Abate also attended the Digestive Research and Education Excellence Aimed at Minorities (DREAM) Conference in Atlanta to talk about engaging rural patients in clinical research.
Nurse Participation in the Boss Lift Program
Bret Gordon, B.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N., a nurse at Mullica Hill ICU and a member of the Air National Guard in Delaware, applied to have one of his leaders participate in a fly-along under the Boss Lift program. Boss Lift allows members of the Army Reserve and National Guard to share a glimpse of their military activities when on leave from their civilian jobs. Bret and his colleague, Jim Knestaut, assistant nurse manager, participated in the 166th Airlift Wing Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) Boss Lift, where they were able to fly together, view the cockpit up close and learn more about the Delaware National Guard.
Inspira Nurses at Conferences
Wendy Rosen, M.S.N., R.N.C., clinical nurse educator at Mullica Hill, and Melissa Reardon, B.S.N., R.N.C.-O.B., staff nurse at Mullica Hill, participated in several conference presentations in 2023. Rosen presented a poster at the Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN) Conference in New Orleans on the Mother Baby Acuity Tool, which is used to help with safe patient assignments and is integrated into Cerner and Epic. Rosen also did a podium and poster presentation at the New Jersey AWHONN Conference on the successful implementation of the “Eat, Sleep, Console” program.
Organization of Nurse
Leaders Honors Two Inspira Nurses
In 2023, two Inspira clinical leaders were presented with Nursing Leadership Awards by the Organization of Nurse Leaders of New Jersey (ONL NJ). Assistant nurse manager Brittany Knestaut, B.S.N., R.N., was honored with the Aspiring Nurse Leader Award; and nurse manager Barbara Conicello, B.S.N., R.N., earned the Administrative Supervisor award.
Neuman Systems Model (NSM) Practice Center Award Winners
Three Inspira nurses were recognized for their work on the study, “Color Psychology on Inpatient AMHU: An Integrated Model.” Principal investigator Teresa Novajovsky, M.S.N., R.N., P.M.H.B.C., and investigator Kayla Starr, B.S.N., R.N., P.M.H.-B.C., were honored with the Diane Breckenridge NSM Practice Center Fellow Award. Investigator Carol Burkhardt-Fuente, R.N., P.M.H.-B.C., was honored with the Betty Neuman Transition to Practice Award: Embracing the NSM into Practice.
Certified Nurse Manager and Leader (CNML) Prep Course
The CNML certification is targeted toward nurse managers and helps them hone their leadership skills so they can excel in their roles within the organization. Inspira held a review course to help interested individuals prepare for the exam over the summer. Seven individuals attended the course and are planning on taking the exam.
Nurses and Hospital Week
Nurses Week was recognized May 6-12. The same week, many nursing leaders and interprofessional counterparts recognized Hospital Week by volunteering to serve staff meals in the hospital cafeterias.
Certified Nurses Day
In March, Inspira celebrated Certified Nurses Day by gifting each certified nurse an enamel pin, card and meal voucher, as well as the opportunity to take a photo at a selfie station.
What does certification mean to you?
“It has allowed me to help my peers understand the reasons we may be starting a patient on certain medications. It enhances my assessment skills and gives me more knowledge to look for clinical indications that may occur in the critically ill patient based on their diagnosis and presentation.”
- Heather Gilmore, B.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N., Mullica Hill ICU
“By renewing every three years, I have to stay on top of continuing education, which furthers my curiosity and knowledge.”
- Mary Custodio, M.S.N., R.N., P.C.C.N., Mullica Hill 4 East
Graduation Events
Sponsored by the Magnet and Pathway to Excellence department, graduation events were hosted for network-wide graduates at Mullica Hill and Vineland during the summer. To celebrate their achievements, graduates enjoyed dinner and music and took fun photos with their peers and family members.
Clinical Ladder and GROW Recipients
To support the pursuit of continued education and its application to the communities we serve, Inspira provides clinical staff with incentives through the Clinical Ladder and GROW programs. Professional development activities that contribute to Clinical Ladder and GROW levels include education, research, teaching, evidence-based practice, mentoring and more. In 2023, 320 Inspira nurses participated in the Clinical Ladder program and 37 nurses participated in GROW to receive incentives such as bonus payments, hourly pay raises and more.
Magnet Nurses of the Year
VINELAND:
Allison Ricci, M.S.N., R.N., C.N.O.R., Surgical Services
ELMER:
Patrice Sharkey, B.S.N., R.N., ICU
BRIDGETON:
Paula Harris, R.N., AMHU
Pathway to Excellence Nurse of the Year
MULLICA HILL: Mary Custodio, M.S.N., R.N., P.C.C.N., 4 East
Nurses of the Year: Unit-Level Recipients
BRIDGETON, ELMER, VINELAND NURSES:
Anna Blashchuk, R.N., CICU
Bryce Riggins, B.S.N., R.N., CPCU
Victoria Mendez, B.S.N., R.N., C.M.S.R.N., CPCU
Kenlly Soto Balbuena, B.S.N., R.N., C.M.S.R.N., MICU
Sarah Sottile, M.S.N., R.N., A.P.N., C.M.S.R.N., MPCU
Alexis Kennedy, B.S.N., R.N., MPCU
Angela Forrest, B.S.N., R.N., C.M.S.R.N., 1 East
Christopher King, B.S.N., R.N., 2 East
Alan Eaton, B.S.N., R.N., SICU
Lindsay Rios, B.S.N., R.N., C.M.S.R.N., SICU
Edward Gandy, B.S.N., R.N., SPCU
Elizabeth Gibson, B.S.N., R.N., Vineland ED
Lindsay Serafinelli, B.S.N., R.N., LDRP
Megan Berni, M.S.N., R.N.C.-O.B., Mother Baby
Jackie Fortunato, R.N., NICU
Christine LaSerre, B.S.N., R.N.C.-O.B., Acute Treatment Unit (ATU)
Anita Arsenault, R.N., C.P.N., Pediatrics
Allison Ricci, M.S.N., R.N., C.N.O.R., Surg Serv: OR
Stephani Sooy, B.S.N., R.N., Surg Serv: Same-Day Surgery (SDS)
Kimberly Hnosko, R.N., Surg Serv: Pre-Admission Testing (PAT)
Deborah Munoz, R.N., Surg Serv: Endo
Dawn Messore, B.S.N., R.N., Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU)
Natasha Fleming, B.S.N., R.N., C.M.R.N., Endo Center
Leontina Moldovan, B.S.N., R.N., C.N.N., Dialysis
Christine Hendrix, B.S.N., R.N., Infusion
Lauren Baldwin, B.S.N., R.N., O.C.N., Cancer Services
Debbie Pacitti, B.S.N., R.N., Medical Imaging
Meggie Smalley, M.S.N., R.N., Quality and Performance Improvement (PI)
Kevin Winder, B.S.N., R.N., Cardiac Cath
Patrice Sharkey, B.S.N., R.N., Elmer ICU
Emily Thomas, B.S.N., R.N., Elmer 2 East
Amy Cimprich, B.S.N., R.N., 2 South
Constance Reeves, R.N.C.-O.B., LDRP
Nikolai Palys, B.S.N., R.N., Elmer Surg Serv
Patricia Nestor, B.S.N., R.N., W.O.C.N., Wound Care
Denise Rivera, R.N., Elmer ED
Paula Harris, R.N., AMHU
Jill McKenna, B.S.N., R.N., Child and Adolescent Mental Health Unit (CAMHU)
Pamela Brunner, R.N., Intermediate Behavioral Care Unit (IBCU)
Krystal Bates, B.S.N., R.N., Bridgeton ED
MULLICA HILL AND WOODBURY NURSES:
Kellie Cancglin, M.S.N., R.N.C.-O.B., LDRP
Jocelyn Garcia, B.S.N., R.N., NICU
Kara Barone, B.S.N., R.N., 5 East
Sandra Murphy, R.N., 5 West
Mary Custodio, B.S.N., R.N., P.C.C.N., 4 East
Emma Burns, B.S.N., R.N., 4 West
Nicole Witherel, B.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N., ICU
Robert O’Donnell, B.S.N., R.N., OBS
Jennifer Marcello, B.S.N., R.N., C.M.S.R.N., C.V.-B.C., Cardiac Rehab
Dana Rinnier, B.S.N., R.N., ED
Desiree Wright, R.N., Pediatric ED
Jason McLachlan, B.S.N., R.N., C.N.O.R., Surg Serv: OR
Esperanza Driver, B.S.N., R.N., Surg Serv: SDS
Lauren Paterna, B.S.N., R.N., Surg Serv: PAT
Laura Murphy, B.S.N., R.N., Surg Serv: Extended Stay
Meghan LaMalfa, R.N., Surg Serv: GI Center
April Cooksey, R.N., C.P.A.N., Surg Serv: PACU
Tyler Caloiaro, B.S.N., R.N., Cath Lab
Kelly Schmidt, B.S.N., R.N., Procedure Room
Priya Kalaparambath, B.S.N., R.N., Infusion
Lena Lanning, M.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N., Clinical Research
Nurses Who Sit on Boards
Our nurses give back to the South Jersey community in many different ways. We’re recognizing the following nurses who sit on the boards of health and wellness non-profit and professional associations:
Sami Abate, Ph.D., M.S.H.S., M.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N., C.N.M.L.:
• Parish Nurse Coordinator for Christ the Good Shepherd Parish
• Cerner Learning Health Network Advisory Board
• Wilmington University College of Health Professions and Natural Sciences Advisory Board
• Stockton University School of Health Sciences Advisory Board
Julie Arsenault, D.N.P., R.N., N.E.-B.C.:
• Salem County College Foundation Board
Barb Conicello, B.S.N., R.N., C.E.N.:
• New Jersey State Council of Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) Treasurer
• National ENA Scholarship Committee
Kay Fogg, B.S.N., R.N., C.R.N.I.:
• Salem County Vo-Tech Foundation Board
Tia Sheck, M.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N., C.N.M.L., N.P.D.-B.C.:
• ONL NJ Board of Directors
Zac Sherkness, B.S.N., R.N.:
• Chemours Community Outreach Board
Terri Spoltore, D.N.P., M.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N.:
• BAYADA Home Health Care Board of Directors
Kimberly Talley, M.S.N., R.N., C.R.N.P., C.N.M.L.-B.C., F.A.B.C.:
• Gift of Life Medical Advisory and Policy Board Member
• DaVita/Inspira Joint Venture Clinical Leader Board Advisor
Peggy White, D.N.P., R.N., N.E.A.-B.C.:
• Salem Health and Wellness Board of Directors
Southern New Jersey Perinatal Cooperative (SNJPC) Board Members:
Karin Abbey, B.S.N., R.N.C.-O.B.
Christl Dooley, B.S.N., R.N.C.-O.B.
Dawn Goffredo, M.S.N., R.N.C., F.A.B.C.
Peggy Stecklair, B.S.N., R.N.C.
Nurse Residency
In 2023, 82 Inspira nurses from six cohorts completed their residency training. Notable research projects from graduates include:
Code Blue Tip Sheet
(Chelsea Amoako-Duodu, B.S.N., R.N. ; Brooke Antonelli, R.N. ; Samantha Spence, B.S.N., R.N. ; Leander Porras, R.N.)
Virtual HTN Kit
(Anna Porto, B.S.N., R.N.)
Rapid Response Lights and Codes
(Edith Prado, R.N. ; Robert O’Donell, B.S.N., R.N. ; Ashley Potrzuski, R.N. ; Steven Curtis, R.N.)
iPad on Wheels (Alma Ramirez, R.N.)
Time Off Chest/CPR
(Sandra Misiani, R.N. ; Sheila Warnick, R.N. ; Melissa Hildebrand, R.N. ; Tanya Allen, B.S.N., R.N.; Emily Minix, B.S.N., R.N.; Bridget Roney, R.N.; Alexandria Carter, R.N.)
Just Cap It
(Kate Bilodeau, B.S.N., R.N. ; Madison Blanchard, B.S.N., R.N. ; Carly Dyal, B.S.N., R.N.; Abby DeVoy, R.N.)
Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities in the Hospital Setting
(Samantha Nicolella, R.N. ; Michael Cacciacarne, R.N. ; Richard Tannoia, B.S.N., R.N.)
Improving Nursing Knowledge of Pressure Injury Staging with Education (Gabrielle Banks, B.S.N., R.N.)
Improving Rate of Skin-to-Skin Contact and Documentation After C-section Delivery
(Hannah Prichett, B.S.N., R.N.)
Reducing Prevalence of Medical Device-Related Pressure Injuries in ICU (Mathew Pollock, B.S.N., R.N.)
Increasing Staff Comfort in Communication with Spanish-Speaking Patients
(Aliyah Thomas, B.S.N., R.N. ; Stephanie Holden, R.N. ; Joselyn Dominguez, R.N.)
Nursing Scholarship Recipients
2022-2023 FREDRICK AND GERALDINE WINKLER NURSING SCHOLARSHIP, $2,500:
• Laura Dalton, B.S.N., R.N., P.M.H.-B.C.
• Allyson Farez, B.S.N., R.N.
• Julia Carotenuto-Sutton, M.S.N., R.N., C.V.-B.C.
• Laura Hunsberger, M.S.N., R.N., P.M.H.-B.C.
• Stacy Hudson, M.S.N., R.N.
• Ashley Lavender, M.S.N., R.N., C.M.S.R.N.
• Madison Moreno, M.S.N., R.N.
• Janice Ebanks, M.S.N., R.N.
• Tina McCormick, M.S.N., R.N.
• Jeanie Nowak, M.S.N., R.N., W.O.C.N.
• Leah Beckett, B.S.N., R.N.
• Danielle Rota, M.S.N., R.N.
• Michelle Dannenhaur, M.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N.
• Chelsea Minix, B.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N.
• Martina Robinson, M.S.N., R.N.
JOHN F. SCARPA NURSING SCHOLARSHIP FUND, $2,000:
• Anna Wilson
• Colette Goranson, M.S.N., R.N., O.C.N.
• Donna Spross, M.B.A., B.S.N., R.N., C.W.O.C.N., N.E.-B.C.
• Emily Shook
• Hailey Roller
• Kathryn Davis, B.S.N., R.N.
• Michaela Johnson, B.S.N., R.N.
• Pricilla Jones, B.S.N., R.N., C.M.S.R.N.
• Rachael Rhoads
2022 INSPIRA PHYSICIAN SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS (IPSA), $1,000:
• Gregory Brown
• Karling LaFond, B.S.N., R.N., C.M.S.R.N.
• Allison McDonald
• Martina Robinson
JOHN F. SCARPA SCHOLARSHIP FUND, IN HONOR OF ELIZABETHSHERIDAN, $2,000:
• Jennifer Martin-Pierce
JANET DAVIES NURSING SCHOLARSHIP, $2,000:
• Elva Ochoa, B.S.N., R.N.
• Kenlly SotoBalbuena, B.S.N., R.N., C.M.S.R.N.
CATHERINE ARPINO NURSING SCHOLARSHIP, $2,000:
• Bryan Rodriguez
• Nicole Roundtree
LOUIS LEON NURSING SCHOLARSHIP, $2,000:
• Celestina Nketiah
• Rachel Cobb, R.N.
VINELAND, ELMER, BRIDGETON MEDICAL STAFF SCHOLARSHIP, $2,000:
• Camille Casper
• Morgan Jackson
AUXILIARY NURSING SCHOLARSHIP, $1,000:
• Mary Charlesworth, B.S.N., R.N.