Celebrating Nurses 05-04-2023

ROOTED IN STRENGTH

KATHY GERBER

Five Towns Premier Rehabilitation

Kathy Gerber's dedication and service to the nursing profession is unwavering. She is a steady comforting presence at Five Towns Premier Rehabilitation, where she has supported residents and colleagues for over 34 years.

An LPN who received a BS in psychology from Molloy University, Kathy was directed to her career path at an early age. She was greatly influenced by the kindness and comfort of nurses when she was hospitalized at 12 years old. These warm memories motivated Kathy to become a nurse and make a difference in the lives of others.

She enjoys working on the 5th floor and is well known for her compassion, humor, and patience. Kathy says that it is a good day if she can make others smile. She likes to treat every resident as if they were her own family.

Kathy is a member of the 1199 Healthcare workers union and prides herself on being a role model for the younger generation of nurses coming into the field. Besides possessing excellent clinical skills, Kathy emphasizes the importance of loyalty and dedication to the nursing profession and the organization in which you work. "The grass isn't always greener,” Kathy says. Thank you Nurse Gerber for making this world a better place!

SOME OF OUR NURSE HEROES

AMANDA TANNER

Emergency Room Assistant Nurse Manager Glen Cove Hospital/Northwell Health

Amanda Tanner was always the nurse when playing cops and robbers as a child. It was her job to bandage up the wounded robber. But she didn’t pursue nursing until after serving as a critical care emergency medical technician for the Rocky Point Fire Department, a decision to honor her grandfather, an ailing firefighter. When transporting people she saw firsthand what nurses do. Tanner decided she wanted to join the noble profession as a medical professional too.

After working as a nurse at New York University Langone Hospital she came to Glen Cove Hospital where she’s been an emergency room assistant nurse manager for a year.

“When people come to the hospital you see them on their worst day,” she says. “I try to improve things for them, calm them down, give them some compassion. For me being able to make a difference and seeing a patient walk away better than when they came in is gratifying.”

Amanda loves the community-feel of Glen Cove Hospital. So many people who work at the hospital also live in the community so they are invested in the care they give to patients. “We are tucked away in this nestled area,” she says. “I drive 40 minutes to get here but I wouldn’t want to work anywhere else.”

SARAH ZAY

Nurse Educator Glen Cove Hospital/Northwell Health

Sarah Zay has been a nurse educator at Glen Cove Hospital for nearly three years. She is proud to work at GCH and even lived in the city initially to help her transition into her role. Although she moved to Suffolk County, Sarah says she doesn’t mind the long drive to work.

She cites her mother, a nurse for over 40 years, as her inspiration. “I believe nursing is a calling that you feel in your bones,” Sarah says, “It’s not a job. It’s a profession, a career. Helping people every day — there’s nothing greater than that.”

What Sarah loves most about being a nurse is the patients. As a nurse educator helping nurses move forward with their professional development she has been given even more to love about the profession. “Seeing these nurses grow is seeing the future of the profession. It comes full circle and comes back to the patients at the end of the day.”

LAUREN OSTUNI-FIUMARA

MSN, RN, CMSRN Long Island Jewish New Hyde Park/Northwell Health

Ibecame a nurse over 18 years ago at a time in my life where I wanted to help people and make a real difference in their lives. As I grew up with my father being a physician, I watched him care for his patients and develop relationships with them and this had a real impact on my life. I knew nursing would allow me to have different opportunities to fulfill my desire and to positively affect others.

To me, being a nurse is many different things. A nurse is an advocate for people who are sometimes at their worst. We are also a support for families, a resource, a mentor, an educator, an innovator, and a person who can make a difference every single day. A nurse is someone who can change the outlook of a person’s day by simply doing their job.

Nurses are key collaborators in healthcare, they are also the glue that holds it all together. I am grateful for the many experiences that I have had in this field, including the opportunities for development and growth as well as for the many lives that have enriched mine.

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PRISCILLA PEREZ

Long Island Jewish New Hyde Park/Northwell Health

Ibecame a nurse because when my mother went into the hospital to give birth to my little brother, I saw just how important the nurse's role is. The nurses that took care of her advocated for her. She was a single mother who spoke a limited amount of English and the nurses went above and beyond to provide the care that she needed. They offered the kind of support that every patient deserves.

I always want to create the same experience for my patients that I care for in labor and during delivery. To me, nursing means providing the kind of care you would give to your loved ones and I’m proud to be providing that kind of care to all my patients here at LIJ. I studied at Molloy University where I received my Bachelor's degree in Nursing. Before becoming an RN, I was a PCA. I took care of patients at the most devastating part of the Covid pandemic in 2020. There, I found the courage and drive to provide the best possible care for people who needed it the most. I've been a labor and delivery nurse at LIJMC for a little over a year now, and it has been a rewarding experience. I enjoy coming into work every day and doing what I love.

CATHERINE NARANJO

Assistant Nurse Manager

Long Island Jewish Valley Stream/Northwell Health

Catherine Naranjo recalls being fresh out of college (Adelphi) when she landed her first job. Five years later, she hasn’t looked back. Among the young nurses hurled into the pandemic and tested by its ordeal, she emerged wiser and stronger, proving herself an asset to her fellow nursing team at LIJ Valley Stream. She has quickly advanced to the role of an assistant nurse manager, a position she has held for a year and a half.

Before that she was on intimate terms with numerous patients, attending to them at their bedside as a medical-surgical nurse, or “med-surg nurse.”

The fast-paced demands of that role conditioned her to juggle the administrative rigors of an assistant nurse manager, where she not only oversees the health of patients and their families but also her fellow health workers.

“I'm in charge of patients and staff and families. My role has made me see things from everyone's perspective. There are a lot of factors that come into patient care. And it takes a lot of effort into caring for a patient at every point of their care.”

Catherine, who hails from a family of nurses and doctors, is never too far from her mentor, her mother and fellow nurse, Luz Naranjo. “Yes, she’s definitely an inspiration,” she says.

Catherine encourages all new and aspiring nurses to “explore and take on new roles because you never know what you can and can’t do until you try.” And she is thankful for the support of her colleagues. “The support that the Valley Stream team has shown me has been the most rewarding. They’ve helped me move forward with my life goals.”

The heart of health care beats within every nurse.

Catholic Health gratefully acknowledges the more than 4,000 members of our Long Island nursing staff who bring outstanding care to our patients every day. Throughout our many inpatient and outpatient facilities, your dedication to excellence makes our driving mission real —to give the very best care to every patient, in every encounter, every time.

Our

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most heartfelt appreciation— during Nurses Week and every week.

LUZ NARANJO

Case Management

Long Island Jewish Valley Stream/Northwell Health

Luz Naranjo, a case management nurse, finds enormous “fulfillment and satisfaction” in nursing her patients back to health and seeing them through their recovery process. And while she’s touched and saved countless lives, she’s always had a soft spot for caring for the elderly and feels most at home on the floor of the geriatrics department.

For this seasoned veteran, it’s been a lifelong calling, beginning in her native Philippines decades ago. She joined the Northwell Health system in 1984; the Long Island Jewish Valley Stream Hospital team in 2017.

Her career been immensely rewarding on a “spiritual, emotional, professional” level, though not without tribulations. “Making sure everyone in the patient’s family is happy is challenging because you have to include them in the planning and keeping everyone pleased is not easy,” she says. But nothing compares to the feeling she gets when a patient “survives through the hospitalization and leaves with a smile on their face.”

And she’s seen plenty of smiles pass through the hospital doors during her length of her service, which is equally defined by the breadth of her experience in various roles ranging from the Intensive Care Unit to a discharge planner.

As for advice to any new or aspiring nurse, she says, “You don’t ever shortchange your patient. You give your best care, giving 100, 200 percent of yourself.”

LOUIS CALDERON, RN

Director of Nursing

Emergency Department, Clinical Decision Unit, Express Care Mercy Hospital

Louis Calderon, RN, has worked in the health care industry for over 25 years and is currently serving as the Director of Nursing in the Emergency Department (ED), the Clinical Decision Unit, and Express Care at Catholic Health’s Mercy Hospital.

Louis began his career as an EMT where he held numerous leadership roles and provided life-saving services including on 9/11. He earned a Bachelor of Science, Magna Cum Laude, in Nursing from SUNY Delhi, and is graduating in May with a Master of Science Nursing degree with a perfect 4.0 GPA.

Louis has worked in small community hospitals and large Level 1 trauma centers, as well as a transport/flight nurse on Suffolk County’s Medivac helicopter. Being a nurse is more than just a job to Louis, it is his identity. He feels it is so rewarding to know he is truly making a difference in the lives of those that need him the most.

At the core of it all, Louis is holds up high the ideology of integrity, excellence, compassion, respect and overall care. He’s lifelong learner who values connection to others. Louis has been married for over 21 years and has two children, a 15-year-old son and a 19-year-old daughter who is a pre-med major and following in her father’s footsteps.

Dedicated to our communities.

Always learning. Always teaching. Always caring. For every patient and for the future of nursing, you put your heart into everything you do. We’re grateful, we care, and we thank you.

Nurses Week is a chance to shine a spotlight on the most-trusted professionals across the country who devote their lives to the betterment of others' health and quality of life. And it is a chance to reflect on the challenges nurses face. Without nurses, our healthcare system would not be able to function, and so we take this week each year to recognize and celebrate the hard work and critical role nurses play in keeping us all healthy and safe. This is a time to celebrate nurses for the essential role they play in our lives and our health care system.

From caring for our communities throughout the pandemic, to assisting with lifethreatening ER crises to delivering babies and caring for the elderly in their last moments, nurses perform some of the most difficult and heartbreaking tasks in the medical world. As workers who perform the most essential healthcare tasks, nurses serve as the first point of contact for most patients.

We honor their contributions and sacrifices. In this photo essay by Photo Editor Tim Baker we show you some of our valiant nursing heroes.

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Photos by Tim Baker/Herald

1: Some of the dedicated team at Northwell’s Long Island Jewish Valley Stream.

2: Nancy Burk, Operating Room RN, with Nurse Manager Carla Joseph, RN, at Glen Cove Hospital/ Northwell Health.

3: Nina Alfario, RN, with newborn Fiona in her care the Maternity Unit at Mercy Hospital/Catholic Health Services.

4: Chikaodili Ezeani, RN, Chelsea Nicholas, RN, and Claudia Mautino, RN, at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream/Northwell Health.

Baker/Herald Long Hospital/ care in and Valley

5: Surgical Unit Assistant Nurse Manager Christina Williams and Nurse Manager William McCrystal at Nassau University Medical Center.

6: Nurse Manager Jaclyn Dibari, RN, at Mount Sinai South Nassau.

7: Assistant Director of Nursing Eric Kim, RN, and Andrew D'Angelo, Emergency Department RN, at Long Island Jewish New Hyde Park/Northwell Health.

8: Meethu Job, RN, and Susan Cinelli, RN, in the PACU Unit at Nassau University Medical Center.

9: Denise Calvi, RN, with Nursing Director Louis Calderon, RN, Rachel Wein, RN, Tanya Cody, in the Emergency Department at Mercy Hospital/ Catholic Health Services.

10: Yuna Asherov, RN, Surgical Unit, with Jennifer Yu, RN, Telemetry Department, at Glen Cove Hospital/Northwell Health.

MAGGIE GLIER, RN

Director of Nursing for Critical Care, Surgery and Oncology Services Mercy Hospital

Maggie Glier, RN, began her career as a staff nurse over 40 years ago. She quickly ascended the career ladder to her present director position, but never forgets her roots. She is always willing to put on a pair of scrubs to help out when needed. Maggie is a devoted colleague and leader of Mercy’s outstanding nursing team.

The Catholic Health Cancer Care Center at Mercy is the heart and soul of Maggie. Being a cancer survivor herself, she has worked tirelessly to build a beautiful free-standing infusion center that addresses the patients’ physical, spiritual and — at times — economic needs. Maggie is also committed to mentoring the staff, including offering on-site educational opportunities. Maggie followed in her mother’s footsteps and became a nurse because she saw her making a difference and helping the most vulnerable.

DIANA CARDENAS, RN, BSN

St. John’s Episcopal Hospital

As a teenager, I witnessed the compassionate care provided by nurses to my grandfather during the end of his life. They not only attended to his physical needs but also took the time to listen and comfort him. I was struck by the impact they had on his well-being and the profound gratitude he expressed toward them. This experience inspired me to pursue nursing as a career. I saw how nursing could make a difference in people's lives and provide them with the support they need during difficult times. I was also drawn to the opportunity to educate patients on the importance of self-care at home, which can have a significant impact on their health and well-being.

To me, being a nurse means being a caregiver, advocate, and educator. It means being a source of comfort and support for patients and their families, while also empowering them to take charge of their own health. It means being knowledgeable, compassionate, and dedicated to providing the best possible care for those in need.

Nurses play a vital role in the healthcare system, and I am proud to be a part of this profession. It is an honor to be able to make a positive impact on people's lives, and I am grateful for the opportunity to do so every day.

JADE DAVID

St. John’s Episcopal Hospital

In 2018 I started my journey to become a Registered Nurse. As a child, I admired my mother who worked as a nurse, and was intrigued by her stories of the care and compassion she had for her patients. From that early age, I made up my mind that one day I would be a nurse like her.

In 2009, my grandmother passed away from diabetic complications. I was horrified and deeply hurt by the way she was treated by the staff at the hospital. Nurses were supposed to be persons of compassion, who cared deeply for patients regardless of age, race, gender, etc. I gathered my strength and from that moment, I vowed I would make a difference. I vowed I would join this noble profession, treating every patient as though they were my family. Throughout my journey in nursing, I had my husband as my main supporter along with my parents and extended family members, I must say thank you! I believe in teamwork because every patient that enters the doors of a medical facility should be treated with care and respect. It is the responsibility of every employee to assist the patient and family members when needed. My journey here at St John’s has been a rewarding and satisfying one. Working here allows me the opportunity to render care and compassion to my patients. I look forward to steady and continued growth within this institution. I appreciate and thank everyone for their support in nominating me as the Novice Nurse of Distinction in 2022. May God bless all our healthcare workers at St. John’s Episcopal Hospital!

Salute to Nurses

JANET LAVERIO

Mount Sinai South Nassau

Janet Laverio, 49, decided in high school to become a nurse and started her career following her 1994 graduation from Lyceum of the Philippines University, as a volunteer nurse in the Philippines. In college a palm reader told her someday she’d work in other countries; that came true when a partnership between a Filipino agency and Mount Sinai South Nassau brought her here.

“Nursing has always been in my mind,” Janet says. "When I was studying one of my professors told me nursing is not only a career but a calling. My thinking is that I’m one of those who were chosen to be in nursing. So, it’s my life, my calling to take care of other people, help them get well, not only the patients also their families as well.”

When Janet came to Long Island in 2004, she started working in the medical oncology ward and stayed there for 14 years, transferring to the pediatric unit in 2019. When the pandemic hit, her unit was altered to treat adults with Covid-19. Laverio said she hardly ate, drank, or went to the restroom while working because of her fear of the virus. “I was so scared when I got home I wore my masks here in the house.”

Janet has been awarded Employee of the Quarter twice in the unit and received the Daisy Award in November of 2022 for Nursing Excellence. She’s inspired her two nieces, one in Dubai and the other in the Philippines, to become nurses.

LAUREN ENGEL

Interventional Radiology

Mount Sinai South Nassau

Lauren Engel, 26, is an interventional radiology nurse who started planning her career in nursing in high school. As a third-generation nurse, the "family business" has always held a special place in her heart. Her mother and sister are current nurses; her grandmother is a retired nurse. All were educated at Adelphi University.

"It's something that I've known my whole life, hearing stories from my grandmother and my mother. I always knew I wanted to do.”

Lauren started as a comfort aide at Mount Sinai South Nassau in 2015, then pursued her studies at Adelphi. In May 2018 she began her critical care residency. She worked through the pandemic as an ICU nurse, receiving the Daisy Award for Nursing Excellence after bringing a patient back from the brink of death from cardiac arrest.

“It's patients like that,” Lauren says, “we're so close to losing them, then to see them walk out of the hospital with no deficits shortly after is what makes it so rewarding. You appreciate what you do so much more because you realize the difference you made.”

Now in interventional radiology, she is supported not only by her nursing family at home, but at the hospital, where she’s made lifelong friends. “Everyone works so well together. One of the greatest things about this hospital is that it's so community based. You walk down the hallway, you see four people and you wave to them.”

MAX CARRON

Nassau University Medical Center

Max Carron started his career at Nassau University Medical Center as an Agency Registered Nurse, working in the Emergency Department. His transition to the hospital’s full-time staff was seamless as it always felt like he was part of the team.

For over 16 years Max has facilitated the emergency care of countless patients, ranging from the application of minor dressings to life saving interventions. He has repeatedly proven to be invaluable as a teammate and professional.

Max’s amazing sense of humor has made him a beacon of hope and compassion for his colleagues and patients. It comes as no surprise to anyone that works with Max to hear he has the highest patient satisfaction in the department. He takes pride in his work, demonstrates solid work ethic, and places the needs of his patients and families first. Though he possesses many admirable traits, his capacity to motivate people to act morally stand out as the most remarkable. From patients to visitors and coworkers alike, everyone walks away from an encounter with Max with smile and the feeling that they’ve been heard. He continually shows compassion, respect, and dignity to all.

Max is one of the hardest working staff members in the Emergency Department. He volunteers for extra shifts and is always willing to lend a hand to a colleague or patient in need. He is an asset to NUMC and a valuable member of the hospital’s team.

SOUVENISE PERALTE

Nassau University Medical Center

Driven. Determined. Focused. Those three words define the work and the professional journey of Souvenise Peralte. It’s a career born out of a passion for taking care of others.

A nurse at Nassau University Medical Center for more than a decade, Souvenise currently works the night shift in the hospital’s Psychiatric Emergency Room where she is a mentor for new nurses. She often volunteers to work extra shifts. Souvenise’s hard work and determination is recognized and appreciated by those around her, especially her co-workers and leaders, who value her dependability. Her manager and director have realized the extent of her contributions to new nurses and are grateful for her willingness to go above and beyond to support her colleagues.

Souvenise has long believed in the importance of demonstrating the value of hard work, dedication, and education to her son. Those beliefs and her drive for success shine through in the high professional standards with which she performs her duties, and advocates from those around her.

She emigrated from Haiti to pursue her dream of becoming a nurse in the United States and was accepted into Adelphi University’s nursing program, where she attended school while working full-time at a nursing home and raising her son as a single parent. After graduating from Adelphi and passing the NCLEX-RN, Souvenise began working at Long Beach Medical Center before joining the team at NUMC.

NADIA-MARIE WILLIAMS

Director of Nursing

South Shore Rehabilitation and Nursing Center

Idecided to become a nurse in 2014, when I first started working at South Shore as the assistant to the administrative assistant. I got my first whiff of the feeling of satisfaction that came with helping vulnerable people.

I finally became a nurse in 2018 after some years of schooling. It was the best decision I ever made. The knowledge I gained, my drive to learn and help more patients reach their goals to get better and go home became an exciting challenge to me.

It was rough when Covid hit, but going through this made me an even better nurse. People believe being a nurse is about pills and taking vital signs. What being a nurse truly is, comes with dealing with those difficult times. When communication was lacking, the mental, physical and emotional toll was heavy but still we made it to work every shift to be there for the people in need and to be that outlet to the outside world — to ensure their safety and put families minds at ease, and even the difficult conversations about death that we unfortunately had to have. And still after being faced with challenging days, day after day, be proud of the work we do.

South Shore has enabled me to be the best nurse and person I can be: from administration, to CNA, LPN, an RN Supervisor, and now Director of Nursing. I would not trade my career choice or the path I took to get here for the world.

During National Nurses Week, we recognize you for all you do.

At Mount Sinai South Nassau, we know that our nurses make the di erence for our patients and their loved ones. During Nurses Week and all year round, we appreciate all you do.

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