New York City – The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC) today recognized National Nurses Week by honoring 32 dedicated nurses who represent nearly 7000 men and women who treat the 1.3 million New Yorkers cared for in the city’s public hospitals, long term care centers, and health centers in every borough. The awardees reflect both the variety of clinical services provided in the largest public health care system in the country and the cultural diversity of New York City.

“HHC is fortunate to have such extraordinarily talented and dedicated nurses who have been instrumental in transforming New York City’s public hospital system into one of the most patient-centered, safe and efficient providers of health care,” said HHC President Alan D. Aviles. “Every day of the year, our nurses deliver care professionally and compassionately to all New Yorkers regardless of their ability to pay or their immigration status.”

The HHC nursing workforce comprises registered nurses, licensed practitioner nurses, senior level nurses in administration, nurse practitioners, nurse educators, and nursing support staff. Registered Nurses provide their clinical expertise system-wide in a variety of settings such as neonatal, critical care, emergency services, behavioral health, pediatrics, obstetrics, community health, and oncology.

“Our advances in patient safety and dramatic improvements in quality measures would not be possible without the support of our incredible nursing staff,” said Dr. Ramanathan Raju, HHC Chief Medical Director. “Our nurses are empowered to advocate for patients, and our clinical improvements are indicative of their commitment to clinical excellence and our patients.”

Last year HHC nurses cared for more than 200,000 inpatients, helped deliver nearly 22,000 babies, treated more than 1 million emergency room cases, and provided nearly 5 million outpatient visits.

“I am proud to serve the dedicated, professional and passionate nurses and staff who are committed to the mission and vision of HHC,” said, Marie L. Ankner, RN, Assistant Vice President, Nursing, Medical and Professional Affairs. “They are the hearts and souls of our health care system.”

HHC recognized nurses nominated by their facilities for leadership in clinical excellence and for longevity. In addition two special nurses were recognized for their extraordinary leadership: Josephine Bolus, RN, recipient of The Presidents Award for Nursing Leadership & Distinguished Service, was recognized for her selfless dedication to furthering the mission of HHC as a member of the HHC Board of Directors, the chairperson of the Community Relations Committee, and serving on all ten board committees. Joann Gull, Chief Nurse Executive at Elmhurst Hospital Center, and recent recipient of the Sloan Public Service Award given by the Fund for the City of New York, was recognized for her patient-centered leadership and dedication.

The following nurses received awards for Nursing Leadership in clinical excellence:

Central Brooklyn Health Network
Deborah Gatson, RN, HN, BSN, MSN, TNCC, East New York Diagnostic & Treatment Center
Margaret Donovan, RN, Kings County Hospital Center
Doreen Glasgow, RN, Dr. Susan B. McKinney Nursing and Rehabilitation Home

HHC Health & Home Care
Zamena Khan-Hosein, RN, HHC Health & Home Care

Metro Plus Health Plan
Candace Mason, RN, Metro Plus

North Bronx Health Network
Marilyn Tinling, RN, MSN, CCRN, Jacobi Medical Center
Geretha Diamond, RN, MSN, North Central Bronx Hospital

North Brooklyn Health Network
Yesinia Rosa, RN, Cumberland Diagnostic & Treatment Center
Mona Elie Marcel, RN, BSN, MSN, Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center

Northern Manhattan Health Network
Ernestine Washington, RN, Harlem Hospital Center
Edgardo Tividad, RN, Lincoln Medical and Mental Health Center
Aida Racal-Bustos, RN, Metropolitan Hospital Center
Gigi Navarro, RN, Morrisania Diagnostic & Treatment Center Belinda Villa, RN, Segundo Ruiz Belvis Health Care Network
Stephen Nartey, RN, Renaissance Diagnostic & Treatment Center

Queens Health Network
Nursing Staff /Emergency Dept. of Elmhurst Hospital Center
Kumbe Shutsha, RNC, Queens Hospital Center

South Manhattan Health Network
Rose Garcia, RN, Bellevue Hospital Center
Anne St. Leger, RN, Coler Goldwater Specialty Hospital and Nursing facility Coler Campus
Roy Thomas, RN, Coler Goldwater Specialty Hospital and Nursing facility Goldwater Campus
Clara Man-Wah Tsui, BS, RN, Gouverneur Healthcare Services Ambulatory Care Services
Lena Prashad, RN, Gouverneur Healthcare Services Nursing Facility

Southern Brooklyn/Staten Island Health Network
Donna Leno-Gordon, RN, MS, MPA, Coney Island Hospital
Chondamma Thimmaiah, RN, Sea View Hospital Rehabilitation Center and Home

Corporate Award in Behavioral Health
Janet Bezman –Ideama, RN, MS, Elmhurst Hospital Center
Jocelyn Perex, RN, Associate Executive Director, Nursing/ Office of Clinical Affairs, Bellevue Hospital Center

Corporate Award in Clinical Affairs
Juliet G. Gaengan, RN, MSA, Chronic Disease Mgmt - Heart Failure, Office of Clinical Affairs
Andrea O’Neil, RN Critical Care Collaborative, Rapid Response Team, Jacobi Medical Center
Marlene Fussner, RN, MA, NP, Chronic Disease Mgmt - Heart Failure, Elmhurst Hospital Center

The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), the largest municipal hospital and health care system in the country, is a $5.4 billion public benefit corporation that serves 1.3 million New Yorkers and nearly 400,000 who are uninsured. HHC provides medical, mental health and substance abuse services through its 11 acute care hospitals, four skilled nursing facilities, six large diagnostic and treatment centers and more than 80 community based health centers. For more information about HHC, visit nyc.gov/hhc.