CELEBRATING
CELEBRATING NURSES: MEET SOME
CLIFFORD DERIUS, BSN, RN, CRN
3 South Rehabilitation Unit
Growing up with parents in the medical field — my mom as a nurse and my dad a PCA — influenced me. Watching my mom, how she worked and how her patients and coworkers interacted with her was fascinating to see.
Before nursing school, I started at Glen Cove Hospital as a rehab aide from 2015 to 2016. After graduating with my BSN from Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, I came back here as a nurse on the Brain Injury Unit in 2019.
KATHERINE HALSTEAD, BSN, RN
During the pandemic, I moved to the Covid Rehab Unit. It was interesting but scary at the same time, trying our best to help these patients and working with different travel nurses every day.
Currently, I work on the Parkinson's and Movement Disorder Unit. Parkinson's is a very unique population. Most of them are coming from home, they're falling and not managing their meds correctly, so we help them learn. Our program is very invigorating.
When I’m precepting, I teach new nurses how to get to know their patients deeply because you can manage their care way better once you know their story.
One of my favorite parts of my job is to see my patients do well in therapy. I always tell my patients: “If you’re good, then I’m good.”
In 2024, I received a Daisy Award, which is one of the top awards you can get as a nurse for providing outstanding, compassionate care. I’m always moving, so it’s really rewarding to sit back and really go ‘wow, I did a lot.’
— As told to Danielle Schwab
KAREN VASSILIOU, RN, BSN, SCRN
Neuro Step-Down Unit
For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to be a nurse. During my first year of college, I started working part-time for a doctor's office and became inspired by Dr. Renato Giorgini there.
At Good Samaritan, I grew up as a person and a nurse for the past 28 years starting as an LPN. I later got my BSN at Saint Joseph's College and became an RN at the hospital. It’s my second home and my work family.
Family Medicine
Ambulatory Care
Since volunteering at a local hospital in high school as a Candy Striper, I felt a strong calling to help others. I observed the nurses and saw how much you can do, not just for the patient but also for the family.
I got my BSN at Molloy University in 2004. I moved around early in my career, working in labor and delivery, NICU, medsurg, and ER. In 2021, I came to Glen Cove Hospital.
We see a whole range of patients from newborns to geriatric. Without family, we really can't move forward.
Being in Neuro Step-Down is very rewarding. We specialize in neurological problems. It could be from strokes to seizures to brain tumors. I’ve been stroke certified since 2021. It’s inspiring to see patients be dedicated to recovery and make so much progress.
I became a lifelong learner, using my vast experience of knowledge, clinical and leadership skills to precept and mentor many new staff members. The key to being an effective preceptor is to be extremely patient, approachable and a role model.
Just because the hospital environment is routine for us, it's not routine for the patient. Our job is to navigate them and their families through their journey while they're in the hospital.
As a nurse, self-care is very important. It's a very mentally, emotionally and physically draining job — as much as I love it — but it takes a toll on you. My advice for young nurses is to make sure you carve out time on your days off for something relaxing.
— As told to Danielle Schwab
To be a nurse, you have to bring your heart every day. I sometimes work with patients where there is a language barrier or their literacy is poor. It gives me the opportunity to not only educate, but to be their voice at their weakest moment and develop trust so that the patient can feel comfortable.
Glen Cove Hospital is a tight-knit community. We always have someone to give us advice on how to move forward. Nurses always watch out for one another.
There is always room for growth. My goal is to become an assistant nurse manager because I love patient care. I’m grateful for the support of my chief nursing officer, all the other leaders and my team for helping me with all my success these past four years. It's been an amazing journey so far, and I'm really excited for what's to come.
— As told to Danielle Schwab
LAVANIESHA GOODE, RN, MSN, CEN, CMSRN
Emergency Department
Icome from a long line of people in healthcare. My grandmother was a nurse at Pilgrim State. Her work ethic and genuine love for nursing influenced me. In 2017, I graduated with my bachelor’s from Houston Baptist University. I continued my education, getting my MSN from Western Governors University in 2021.
I always feel like I’m bringing my all. We’re often the first person that takes care of the patients. You see them sometimes on their best days and sometimes on their worst. From laboring women to the most critical patients, I meet people of all different backgrounds.
Being a nurse means keeping the patient at the center of everything you do.
It’s about being your best self, interacting with every patient with heart and kindness
One memorable moment was when I first started out in the department and I had a patient who was getting a cardiac catheterization. She was so nervous and I talked her through the procedure and her concerns. Later, she wrote a letter to me thanking me for helping her calm her nerves. It really hit home for me being able to use my knowledge and expertise to make an impact.
I also have found a passion for education. I have been teaching aspiring nurses at Suffolk County Community College as they pursue their LPN and/or Associate's degree. It brings me joy seeing my “baby nurses” develop and even surpass me in their careers.
— As told to Danielle Schwab
At our audiology practices, we are proud to support and serve the healthcare workers and nurses in our communities. We recognize the unique auditory challenges they face and are committed to providing tailored solutions that enhance their hearing health. It is our pleasure to serve all healthcare workers and nurses as our way to show our deepest appreciation. We Offer:
• Hearing Test
• Hearing Aids
• Repairs
• New Technology Demonstrations
• Cognitive Screening
• Wax Removals
ADVANCE YOUR NURSING CAREER
Your passion is helping people. At the Hofstra Northwell School of Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies, our passion is helping you succeed as an advanced practice nurse — in the specialty of your choice.
Choose from accredited graduate programs, including nationally ranked master’s programs, certificates, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice program with four tracks.
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner - Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (DNP)
• Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (DNP; MS; Advanced Certificate)
• Family Nurse Practitioner (DNP; MS; Advanced Certificate)
• Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (DNP; MS; Advanced Certificate)
• Registered Nurse First Assistant (Advanced Certificate)
As
CELEBRATING NURSES: MEET SOME OF OUR NURSE HEROES
SHELEEMA HARINANDAN, BSN, RN, CMSRN BILLY POLANCO, BSN, RN
Assistant Nurse Manager, Orthopedic Unit
Being a nurse was always important to me. I knew that I wanted to make a meaningful impact on people's lives, especially during their most vulnerable moments.
When I was around six I broke my arm and I had a nurse care for me. The compassionate care that she gave to me as a young child, scared in the hospital, inspired me to want to become that type of caregiver.
I started taking prerequisite classes in high school and went on to graduate with my BSN at Long Island University in 2018. I always knew that Northwell was the hospital I wanted to work for. I started at LIJ Valley Stream in 2020 as a med-surg nurse and worked bedside for three years. From the beginning of my career, I knew I was committing myself to excellence in clinical practice. It's incredibly rewarding — literally helping people to get back on their feet. It feels good to be part of that type of recovery. Our team is like a family.
A key quality every nurse should have at the core is compassion. Strong communication skills are really important to have both with patients and with the healthcare team. Situations can change so quickly, and the nurse needs to be able to adequately respond with confidence.
Nursing gives me purpose as both a caregiver and a role model to my three kids. I'm able to show them the value of kindness and resilience.
— As told to Danielle Schwab
CATHERINE DEMAIO, RN
Inpatient Rehab Unit
Becoming a nurse was one of the best decisions I have ever made. When I was younger I watched the nurses take care of my grandmother and from that moment forward I knew I wanted a career that would allow me to help others. Nursing has given me that opportunity — and so much more.
ICirculating OR Nurse, Perioperative Services
didn’t start out as a nurse, but I always liked helping people. At 20, I joined the U.S Marines as a reservist. Starting in 1993, I worked as an NYPD officer for 26 years. When I retired I decided to go to school for nursing, getting my AAS at Kingsborough Community College and my BSN degree at Aspen University.
Since 2023, I have been working at LIJ Valley Stream Hospital as a circulatory nurse. I’m a patient advocate, looking out for their best interest and making sure all safety protocols are followed. I am also the first RN Fellow graduate at the hospital.
To be a nurse is more than just helping people. You have to focus on somebody's whole well-being. Even though I’m with them for a short snapshot of time, I try to make a connection and put them at ease in the situation. It's not every day people have surgeries. For some, it may be their first. When you put in that effort, it shines through, and I think people notice the difference.
Every day you learn as a nurse. There is always a new challenge to learn something and take on a great amount of knowledge. To compare it with my police department training: you never want to sacrifice speed for control. I have to be able to go fast but still have control and be able to do everything that I do safely.
I want to be an inspiration for my two girls. I want to motivate them so that they could do any task at any point, and nothing is out of their reach.
— As told to Danielle Schwab
MEIKA MCMILLAN-MENDEZ, RN
Being able to make a positive impact on a patient’s life, at a time when they need support, is unlike any other experience. While it’s easy to name all of the technical parts of being a nurse, being a nurse is the ultimate honor. It means having a passion to help people navigate through challenges with sensitivity, compassion and empathy. It means having a level of resilience that allows you to rise up to and help others, every single time. It means you are trusted to advocate on behalf of your patient when they can't do so for themselves. Outside of patient care, nursing has allowed me to grow into being a team player. Without my coworkers, each day as a bedside nurse would not be possible. Mercy Hospital has given me a solid foundation to build my nursing skills, and with the help and guidance of my coworkers, I have gained my confidence as a nurse.
NOperating Room
ursing, to me, is more than just a profession — it’s a calling rooted in compassion, purpose and the desire to serve others during some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. As an operating room nurse at Mercy Hospital, I have the privilege of being part of an extraordinary surgical team where every member plays a critical role in ensuring patient safety and delivering quality care.
I now look forward to training the future generation of nurses and look forward to being able to continue to learn. It truly is one of the few professions that you are able to be both a student and an educator, on a daily basis, and there is always something new to discover. That is one of the many beautiful things about this career path and I'm eager to see where it will take me in the years to come.
Working in the OR, I find fulfillment in the technical skill and precision required in surgery, but what truly drives me is the opportunity to be a source of comfort and calm for patients before they go under anesthesia. Knowing I can offer reassurance, even without the presence of their loved ones, is something I hold close to my heart.
At Mercy, I’ve not only grown professionally but have also become part of a supportive and dedicated community. The hospital’s culture is one of collaboration, continuous learning and genuine care — not only for our patients, but for each other. Every day learn something new, whether it’s a new surgical technique or a deeper understanding of patient needs, and that constant evolution keeps me passionate and engaged.
Helping others is at the core of who I am, and nursing gives me the unique chance to make a difference every single day. Mercy Hospital has shaped me into a stronger, more compassionate nurse, and I’m proud to be part of this mission-driven team.
Always learning. Always leading. Always caring.
Nurses pour their hearts into every patient they care for — and into shaping the future of healthcare. This Nurses Week, we extend our deepest gratitude for their compassion, resilience, and dedication.
Nurses are the backbone of our healthcare system — trusted, tireless professionals who go above and beyond for the well-being of others. From routine checkups to critical emergencies, from delivering new life to offering comfort in final moments, nurses are there every step of the way.
National Nurses Week is more than a celebration; it’s a time to reflect on the immense challenges nurses face and the vital roles they play. Without them, our healthcare system simply couldn’t function.
In this special photo essay by Photo Editor Tim Baker, we honor these everyday heroes — capturing moments of care, courage, and commitment from the nurses who serve our communities with grace and strength.
Photos by Tim Baker/Herald
in Glen Cove Hospital's Brain Injury Unit with Nicole Caravella, RN, and Inderroop Kaur, RN.
5 Elena Lobatch, Senior Director of Nursing, enjoys a moment with Jessica Bonomo, RN, her one-day-old son Nicholas, and Edlira Kadriu, RN, of Mount Sinai South Nassau's Medical-Surgical-Telemetry Unit.
9 At Glen Cove Hospital: Olivia Amian, RN, and Emily Duran, RN, in the Acute Rehab Department.
6 Kim Marshall, RN, Carolyn Brock, RN and Megan Mulcahy, RN, confer on the surgical floor at NYU Langone—Long Island.
7 Bernadette Reyes, RN, and Audrey Thomas, RN, go about their day in Long Island Jewish Valley Stream's Ambulatory Surgery Unit.
8 Bernice Kontor, RN, and Bebi Fariah Yakim, RN, in the Operating Room at St. John's Episcopal Hospital.
10 At Good Samaritan University Hospital: The Pediatrics Emergency Department is staffed by Michelle Alini, RN, and Deborah Hellerman, RN.
CELEBRATING NURSES: MEET SOME OF OUR NURSE HEROES
DONNA O'FLAHERTY, RN, BSN RUBY NINAN, RN
Surgical ICU
When I was nine-years-old, I had a strep infection that settled in my kidneys. I was out of school on dialysis. Being in the hospital around the ICU nurses, I thought that this was something that I wanted to do.
Since getting my BSN at Molloy University, I have been at NYU Langone Hospital for 27 years. As an ICU nurse, I care for patients after surgery. I take care of trauma patients, open-heart patients, and any other patients requiring surgery that have other medical conditions.
Nurses have to be patient’s advocate, which means supporting patients' decisions and making sure they understand and are comfortable with what’s going on. We have to create an overall picture of what's going on, how to react in certain situations and also how to interact with the family.
I always like to say to my patients: “We're going to have a better day today.” If I can do that, at the end of the day feel like I've accomplished something.
My advice for young nurses is to not give up. There are so many different opportunities in nursing, find your place in it. Once you're there, you'll be very happy.
Recently, I was awarded the Daisy Award, which I was nominated for by one of my patients’ family members. I’m honored to see what a difference I can make in somebody's life and how important I was to them during that time. I’m grateful for my family, teachers and professors who have supported me along the way, and especially the team at NYU Langone.
— As told to Danielle Schwab
KELLY AMORE, RN, BSN, CCRN
Being a nurse is more than a job; it’s who you are. There’s no switch that turns off wanting to help people or make a difference.
My mom suggested that I should pursue nursing. She told me that she saw a side of me that was very caring. I realized that she was right after my first year of college, so I changed my major to nursing at Farmingdale State College.
ISenior RN, Main Operating Room
come from a family of nurses, including my three aunts. It really influenced me to become one.
I grew up and started my career in southern India, getting my bachelor’s at KG School of Nursing. When I moved to the U.S, I started at NYU Langone in 2013. In the beginning, I worked in the ICU, and then I moved to the OR and loved it.
As a Level One Trauma Center, we deal with a lot of emergencies. Anything can come through the door, whether it’s a gunshot or a ruptured spleen. When you have the patient's life in your hands, you have to be really quick. Time management is important, so you have to prioritize your needs.
After many hours of working with these patients, when they eventually make it out of the OR alive, you're always grateful. When you have a day like that, it’s a feeling you never forget. That's what keeps me in this profession.
Being a nurse is about seeing the smiling faces at the end of the day. As they say, “Health is wealth.” When you see people healthy, you're a part of them being healthy. When patients are in the OR, they may not remember that they were here and what we were doing to them as we were trying to save their lives. Later on, when I go to speak with them, I can create a great relationship.
I have two boys. They get excited when I tell stories about the operating room. My oldest son is 14 and wants to do something related to the hospital and medicine because he likes what I do.
— As told to Danielle Schwab
VANITHA THOMAS, RN, BSN
My time at Mount Sinai South Nassau started during my last year of college. I was lucky enough to be a part of a student nurse internship program. I’ve been at Mount Sinai since then, working in telemetry, med-surg, critical care, and now I’m in the cath lab. Every unit I loved; it was a good opportunity to meet so many different people. To this day, my first manager that I worked with on the med-surg unit is someone I go to for advice.
Working in an ICU is controlled chaos. When I was doing my BSN Capstone at Molloy University my friend suggested: “Why don’t you do critical care? Do something that you’re afraid to do the most.” I decided to try intensive care and grew to love it.
Throughout my life, my dad has been in and out of the hospital. Now working in the ICU, those moments prepared me to help families. I truly know what it feels like to be that person on the outside. When your loved one comes home, you need strength to take care of them.
I’m a part of many different committees at the hospital. I’m the co-chair of the Nurses Practice Council, which is a space for nurses to bring forward concerns, new ideas and ways to improve. We have a lot of leaders who genuinely want to hear what we have to say, which is empowering as a nurse.
During Covid, especially, was a time where I was really proud of being a nurse. It was amazing to see how all the nurses came together during a time of crisis. Nurses from all different departments jumped to the front lines to help support us.
Currently I’m getting my MSN at SUNY Delhi. I’ve been involved in educational activities at the hospital, such as creating a resource binder for our unit, and want to continue to be an educator.
— As told to Danielle Schwab
I’ve been at Mount Sinai South Nassau since 2017, starting off as a PCT. I love seeing my patients “graduate” to a different floor and get discharged. Not only do I advocate for my patients, but I also advocate for nurses as a member of the Nursing Practice Council.
In critical care, you don't know what kind of day you're going to have. We all work together as a team. My unit recently got two awards: the Daisy Team Award and the Silver Beacon Award.
Being a nurse has made me appreciate life for even the simple things. Patients come out of surgery sometimes in so much pain. Seeing them strive to get up from bed to chair, do physical activity — things we take for granted — inspires me to better my health.
My Aunt Jessy, who is battling cancer right now, chooses to work every day at the hospital as a nurse because she knows what it's like to be a patient. Helping others in need is healing to her.
—
As told to Danielle Schwab
Cath Lab Unit ICU
Nursing at Adelphi: Top Rated, Top Salaries, Top Career Opportunities
Prepare for your healthcare career—or advance the one you have—at the Adelphi University College of Nursing and Public Health
Adelphi is a U.S. News & World Report Best College for Nursing, offering:
• BS in Nursing
• Accelerated BS in Nursing
We’re also a U.S. News & World Report Best Grad School for Nursing, offering:
• MS in Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
• MS in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
• MS in Healthcare Informatics
• MS in Nursing Education
• Master of Public Health
• PhD in Nursing
• DNP Adult Gerontology Primary Care
• DNP Psychiatric Mental Health
Clinical partnerships include Catholic Health, NYU Langone Health, Northwell Health, Mount Sinai Health System, New York-Presbyterian, and New York City Health + Hospitals.
Visit adelphi.edu/nursingdegree
CELEBRATING NURSES: MEET SOME OF OUR NURSE HEROES
NASHIA WILLIAMS, BSN, RN
Assistant Director
of Nursing
Ibecame a nurse in 2003 after getting
my AAS from Farmingdale College and my BSN from Aspen University. After working in Surgical Oncology and Emergency Departments, I eventually came to South Shore Hospital in 2018. I was in the Emergency Department until 2022. I’m also studying to get my MBA at Western Governors University.
My mom inspired me. Since before I was born, she worked in a hospital setting as a patient care associate. I thought the nurses and doctors were really awesome. It made me think, “I want to do this.”
I like to help people who need to have someone be their advocate and voice, and help their families navigate through the medical system. I work with a lot of new leaders and new assistant nurse managers. The most rewarding part of my job is getting them through situations that they've never encountered and being their sounding board in a critical scenario.
In 2017I took a medical mission through Northwell to help those in Costa Rica after Hurricane Maria. It reset my foundation and “refilled my cup” in nursing.
I’m currently nominated for a Northwell’s Truly Award for Inclusion. It surrounds the work I do with nursing ethics and the underserved population, especially as co-chair of the Nursing Ethics Committee. I also have an Audible podcast,“National Emergency,” which was nominated for an Ambi award.
My favorite part of South Shore is that we really are like a family. Everyone knows your name, and you develop close bonds with the people here, which gets you through a lot of difficult care scenarios.
— As told to Danielle Schwab
MONIQUE ARMSTRONG, RN, BSN, MSN
Tower 11 Medical-Surgical Department
Choosing to become a nurse came from a deep desire to make a meaningful difference. I was first inspired as a home health aide, observing the compassion and care of healthcare professionals. My true journey began when a patient of mine fell and developed intracranial pressure. That experience showed me that nursing is not just a job, but a calling.
With little more than a dream, I came to New York City, starting as a certified nursing assistant. I am forever grateful to Paula Blount for welcoming me during that time. I went on to earn my practical nursing license, then my BSN, MSN, and now I’m completing my DNP.
CHRISTINA SCHWENKER, BSN, RN, PCCN
Cardiology Services Unit
My career in nursing happened in steps. Right after high school, I started working in an assisted living and was inspired by the registered nurse there. My time taking care of people propelled me to become a licensed practical nurse. I later got my BSN from Chamberlain Nursing School and started working at South Shore Hospital in 2016.
There's always something new to be learned, especially working doctors who are highly regarded in the community.
Northwell Health is a great hospital system to work for because it offers a lot of opportunities. I’m on the Clinical Ladder Executive Board and the Magnet Committee, which looks at the bigger picture of nursing.
Being a nurse is about making a difference. It's having relationships with patients — being there for them, guiding them and doing your best to provide quality care to them. You have to have compassion for human life and respect for others, regardless of personal beliefs. The most rewarding part for me is seeing the outcome of the care we give.
This year, I was nominated for Northwell’s Truly Award for teamwork. I enjoy empowering my colleagues and sharing knowledge, skills and experience, and most importantly, fostering a positive work environment. A happy work environment not only benefits the nurses on the unit, but it also benefits the patients and their families. Being recognized for this is a great feeling that I'm doing something right.
— As told to Danielle Schwab
NOVELETTE LYN, RN
Emergency Department
My clinical path began in a nursing home setting due to the premature birth of my son. Places like Oceanview and Lawrence Nursing Home helped shape me. I’m especially thankful to Stacy Blot, RN and Dr. Daniel Buff for their mentorship. Whether it was documentation, family member support, or seeing a patient recover, each moment reinforced my purpose.
Since joining St. John’s in 2017, I’ve grown immensely. I’ve learned nursing is more than tasks — it’s advocacy, education and emotional support. Communication, compassion and resilience are at the heart of it all.
Nursing has challenges — long hours, emotional strain and difficult cases. We rely on teamwork, support from colleagues, mindfulness, and the reminder that we truly make a difference. Finally, to my T11 Med-Surg team — thank you for trusting me to lead. You’ve given me purpose, and I am proud to support and grow with you.
With 18 years of experience in nursing, nine as a Licensed Practical Nurse and nine as a Registered Nurse, I have dedicated my life to compassionate and competent care. I currently serve as an Emergency Room nurse; every shift strengthens my resilience, decision-making, and commitment to human connection. I am also pursuing my Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) degree at Chamberlain University to expand my impact and bring holistic, advanced care to individuals and families.
Nursing, is more than a profession, it is a calling. It means being present in a person’s most vulnerable moments, offering strength, skill, and empathy. It’s being a steady hand, a listening ear and an advocate when fear takes over. The qualities of a great nurse — compassion, critical thinking, adaptability, patience, competence, and work ethic — are traits I strive to embody each day.
The ED presents unique challenges: unpredictable cases, emotionally intense situations, and high-pressure decisions. I’ve learned to overcome these obstacles through teamwork, clinical knowledge, self-care, and a genuine love for what I do. My ability to stay calm under pressure and my dedication to treating every patient with dignity help me navigate the intensity and reward of work.
My journey has been shaped by meaningful experiences and inspiring role models. Watching my mother, Dr. Maureen Wright, and my sister, Dr. Tetla Lyn, excel in healthcare with integrity fueled my own passion for service and the pursuit of excellence.
At Mount Sinai South Nassau, we honor the power of nurses and recognize the invaluable contributions they make to our hospital, its patients, and the communities we serve.
Mount Sinai South Nassau nurses have earned Magnet® Recognition, a national quality standard that few hospitals obtain, three consecutive times since 2014. A Magnet designation highlights the nurses and hospital’s commitment to patient care and is an indicator of better outcomes for patients. As we celebrate Nurse’s Week, we recognize the Mount Sinai South Nassau nurses who achieved this high standard of care.
www.mountsinai.org/southnassau