Maria Ivonne Martinez, R.T. (N) Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Maria Ivonne Martinez, R.T.(N), a nuclear medicine technologist in the Nuclear Medicine Department, received the August 2004 Employee of the Month Award from Marvin OQuinn, president/ CEO, Jackson Health System; and Larry R. Handfield, Esq., chairman, Public Health Trust Board of Trustees, during the August Board of Trustees meeting at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Martinez was honored “for her compassion toward her patients and dedication to the highest quality of care.”
As a nuclear medicine technologist, Martinez is responsible for inpatient and outpatient nuclear medicine procedures such as bone scans, cardiac stress tests and kidney scans. She injects patients with radioisotopes for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes with the help of special equipment called gamma cameras. She deals with patients ranging from pediatric to geriatric as well as critical care patients.
Martinez is known for carefully following protocols and procedures, thereby producing excellent quality scans and thus providing patients with the highest quality care. She also routinely goes beyond her assigned duties to assure that correct procedures and not duplicate procedures have been ordered.
(l to r) Larry R. Handfield, Esq., chairman, Public Health Trust Board of Trustees; Silvia Scandar, C.N.M.T., manager, Nuclear Medicine; Maria Ivonne Martinez, R.T.(N), a nuclear medicine technologist, Nuclear Medicine Department; and Marvin OQuinn, president/CEO, Jackson Health System, during the August Board of Trustees meeting at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
As a 14-year veteran of Jackson, Martinez has always demonstrated compassion towards her patients and co-workers. She is an excellent teacher who manages to teach up to 20 students at a time while giving individualized attention to each student.
Silvia Scandar said, “Due to our name, Nuclear Medicine, many of our patients arrive very anxious. Ivonne communicates with her patients in a way that helps them feel comfortable and at ease.”
“Ivonne is someone you can always count on to complete her own work in an excellent manner and then ask if there is anything else she can do, or if there is someone she can help,” Ms. Scandar continued. “If the clinic is short-handed and she is not scheduled to be there, she will rearrange her personal schedule and sacrifice her time off for the benefit of the clinic and her patients.”
Martinez received her Associate of Arts degree in Medical Technology from Miami-Dade Community College in 1987 and studied medical technology at Florida International University from 1989 to 1990. She obtained a certificate in Nuclear Medicine from Jackson Memorial Hospital School of Nuclear Medicine in 1990 and received her Bachelor of Science degree in Hospital Administration from Nova University in 1995.
Larry R. Handfield, Esq., chairman, Public Health Trust Board of Trustees; Silvia Scandar, C.N.M.T., manager, Nuclear Medicine; Maria Ivonne Martinez, R.T.(N), a nuclear medicine technologist, Nuclear Medicine Department; and Marvin OQuinn, president/CEO, Jackson Health System, during the August Board of Trustees meeting at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Fernando Vargas, R.R.T. Case Manager Juanita Mann Health Center
Fernando Vargas, R.R.T., a case manager at Juanita Mann Health Center, received the July Employee of the Month Award from Marvin OQuinn, president/ CEO, Jackson Health System; and Larry R. Handfield, Esq., chairman, Public Health Trust Board of Trustees, during the August Board of Trustees meeting at Jackson Memorial Hospital. Vargas was honored “for his continuous commitment to diabetes prevention in those at risk in our community.”
As a case manager hired through a Pfizer grant, Vargas provides disease management for unfunded patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes hypertension, asthma and congestive heart failure (CHF). He also educates patients and helps them manage their disease at Juanita Mann Health Center, Dr. Rafael A. Peñalver Clinic, Helen B. Bentley, Rosie Lee Wesley Health Center and ACC clinics.
Margaret (Peggy) McLoughlin, R.N., B.H.A., J.D.; Larry R. Handfield, Esq., chairman, Public Health Trust Board of Trustees; Fernando Vargas, R.R.T., a case manager at Juanita Mann Health Center; Abbe Bendell, vice president, Case Management Quality and Patient Safety; and Marvin OQuinn, president/CEO, Jackson Health System, during the August Board of Trustees meeting at Jackson Memorial Hospital.
Prior to Jackson, Vargas worked as a respiratory therapist at North Shore Medical Center from 1982 until 1990 as part of the critical care team caring for intensive care patients in need of mechanical ventilation.
“Fernando goes the extra mile to help patients,” said his co-worker, Marie Flore Lindor, B.A., M.H.S.A., a social worker at Juanita Mann Health Center, who nominated him. “Not only does he get physician referrals but he also assists patients with transportation and other related social services when needed.”
“Patients say hes very patient. We really love him,” she continued, adding, “he is an excellent employee who works well with everyone.”
His direct supervisor, Alan Smith, disease management coordinator, said, “Fernando is so flexible. Hes one of our departments model disease managers.”
A Jackson employee since 2002, Vargas enthusiastically goes above and beyond his regular duties. For example, he started a nutrition group at both Juanita Mann and Rosie Lee Wesley Health Center for children who are at risk for diabetes because of their family history or weight problems called “Kids in Motion.” The children ages range from 5 to 15 and parents are encouraged to participate. Meetings are held every four to six months. They provide healthy food samples for the children and their families, and teach basic exercises that the kids can do at home.
Started in November 2003, the program is supported by Myerli Kertis, R.D., a pediatric nutritionist from Jackson Memorial Hospital, who teaches the children about good nutrition, and Marie Flore Lindor, who addresses family issues with children and parents.
Vargas has been a member of the American Association of Respiratory Care (AARC) since 1995. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Arts from Rutgers University in New Jersey in 1976 and a certificate as a registered respiratory therapist from the Respiratory Therapy Institute in Miami, Florida, in 1982.
