Local Healthcare Employees Receive Awards

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (May 15, 2017) – With all of the national recognition for nurses and healthcare this week, St. Joseph’s Health is celebrating the amazing work that their healthcare professionals do every day. St. Joseph’s held its Sister Patricia Ann Awards for Excellence ceremony on May 10, and its annual Nursing Awards Ceremony on May 12.

Sister Patricia Ann Awards for Excellence

The Sister Patricia Ann Award for Excellence recognizes individuals who represent St. Joseph’s value of reverence, commitment to those who are poor, justice, stewardship, integrity and excellence. A physician, nursing employee and employee are selected annually to receive the Sister Patricia Ann Award. In addition, the nurse and employee each receive $500, and the physician’s name is engraved on a plaque that is displayed in the physicians’ lounge.

Erica Segar-Donadio, RN with St. Joseph’s Home Care, received this year’s Nursing Award.

Constance Case, PT Assistant with St. Joseph’s Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department, received this year’s Employee Award.

Dr. Kenneth Santos chairs St. Joseph’s Anesthesiology Department received this year’s Physician Award.

And a Lifetime Service Award was given to Dr. Pamela Horst for her work in Palliative Care.

Nursing Awards

St. Joseph’s annual Nursing Awards recognize nurses who are nominated by their peers for their outstanding performance of nursing practice, nursing leadership and nursing education.

Kelly LaRocca, RN, Interim Manager of the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit, received the Nursing Leadership Award, which recognizes a nurse leader who demonstrates exceptional leadership, guidance and service to St. Joseph's and the profession of nursing. Kelly was recognized for leading several operational and quality improvements for the cardiac surgery service over the past five years, including during her time as Interim Manager.

The Nursing Practice Award recognizes a nurse involved in direct patient care who is seen by peers as one who contributes to the advancement of nursing practice and demonstrates strength of character, commitment and competence. This year’s winner is Beth Horning, RN. Beth is a St. Joseph’s nurse in Pre-Admission Testing, recognized for her knowledge, compassion and dedication to working with pre-operative patients for testing, health history reviews, and educating patients.

The nursing education award was presented to Melanie Harvey, RN, who was recognized as a nurse who mentors and teaches nursing practice excellence and collaboration. Melanie is a nurse in St. Joseph’s Post-Anesthesia Care Unit, and was honored for many accomplishments achieved at a young age, as well as her collaborative and inclusive teaching style.

About St. Joseph’s Health

St. Joseph’s Health is a non-profit regional health care system based in Syracuse, N.Y., providing services to patients throughout Central New York and northern Pennsylvania. From primary to specialty to home care, to our Magnet-recognized hospital, and in collaboration with our community partners, St. Joseph's Health is advancing the health of the communities we serve through an expanding range of healthcare services to ensure our patients achieve optimum long-term health. Ranked by Consumer Reports among the top 15 heart surgery centers in the country, U.S. News “Best Regional Hospital” and a 15-time winner of the National Research Corporation Consumer Choice award, St. Joseph’s is widely recognized for quality, value and delivering the highest patient satisfaction. St. Joseph’s Health is affiliated with Franciscan Companies and St. Joseph’s Physicians and is a part of Trinity Health.

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