May 23, 2019 – Ten caregivers at Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital were recognized by their peers at the annual Clinical Excellence Award ceremony, held at the hospital on May 9. The honorees include nine individuals who directly care for patients and one support associate nominated and selected by their colleagues. Established in 1999 by Joseph Laraja and endowed with a gift to Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital Foundation from The Laraja Foundation, Inc., the awards recognize professional commitment, teamwork, expertise and positive communication skills.
“Though created some 20 years ago, Mr. Laraja’s concept for the Clinical Excellence Awards aligns perfectly with Cleveland Clinic’s commitment to ‘patients first’ care today and every day,” stated Greg Rosencrance, MD, FACP, President, Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital.
“The Foundation is proud to continue the Laraja legacy, recognizing the efforts of our caregivers with both financial and commemorative awards,” noted Tony Woodruff, Chairman, Cleveland Clinic Indian River Foundation.
Joining Dr. Rosencrance and Mr. Woodruff to congratulate the winners were Senior Vice President/ Chief Nursing Officer Linda Walton and Foundation President Liz Bruner. A standing-room-only crowd of fellow caregivers and honorees’ family members celebrated the 2019 award recipients: Lea Ann Brown, Nursing Assistant 5 South; Ron Buchanon, RN Oncology Infusion; Nancy Burdette, RN CVICU/SICU; Rose D’Ambrosio, RN Women’s Health Care; Vasthie DesSources, RN 4 South; Maryellen Harmon, Respiratory Therapy; Evelyn Kho, RN Interim Cardiac Care; Indre Kirla, Front Office Coordinator Cardiovascular Surgical Services; Sheila Kramer, RN Emergency Department; and Irene Strever, RN Clinical Data Abstractor and Stroke Program Coordinator.
Photo Caption:
2019 Clinical Excellence Award Recipients (L-R) Seated: CCIRH Caregivers Evelyn Kho, Vasthie DesSources, Sheila Kramer, Maryellen Harmon, Lea Ann Brown; Standing: CCIR Foundation President Liz Bruner, CCIRH President Dr. Greg Rosencrance, CCIRH Caregivers Irene Strever, Ron Buchanon, Indre Kirla, Nancy Burdette, Rose D’Ambrosio, CCIRH Chief Nursing Officer Linda Walton and CCIR Foundation Board Chair Tony Woodruff
About Cleveland Clinic
Cleveland Clinic is a nonprofit multispecialty academic medical center that integrates clinical and hospital care with research and education. Located in Cleveland, Ohio, it was founded in 1921 by four renowned physicians with a vision of providing outstanding patient care based upon the principles of cooperation, compassion and innovation. Cleveland Clinic has pioneered many medical breakthroughs, including coronary artery bypass surgery and the first face transplant in the United States. U.S. News & World Report consistently names Cleveland Clinic as one of the nation’s best hospitals in its annual “America’s Best Hospitals” survey. Among Cleveland Clinic’s 66,000 employees are more than 4,200 salaried physicians and researchers and 16,600 nurses, representing 140 medical specialties and subspecialties. Cleveland Clinic’s health system includes a 165-acre main campus near downtown Cleveland, 11 regional hospitals in northeast Ohio, more than 180 northern Ohio outpatient locations – including 18 full-service family health centers and three health and wellness centers – and locations in southeast Florida; Las Vegas, Nev.; Toronto, Canada; Abu Dhabi, UAE; and London, England. In 2018, there were 7.9 million total outpatient visits, 238,000 hospital admissions and observations, and 220,000 surgical cases throughout Cleveland Clinic’s health system. Patients came for treatment from every state and 185 countries. Visit us at clevelandclinic.org. Follow us at twitter.com/CCforMedia and twitter.com/ClevelandClinic. News and resources available at newsroom.clevelandclinic.org.
About Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital
Founded by Garnett Radin, R.N., in 1932, Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital is a 332-bed, not for profit hospital offering comprehensive medical services to the Treasure Coast community. The Welsh Heart Center, Scully-Welsh Cancer Center and Scully Endoscopy Center offer full-service programs and a multidisciplinary approach. Healthcare professionals represent specialties including orthopedic services, minimally invasive vascular surgery, neurosurgery, stroke services, robotic surgery, a state-of-the-art wound healing center, bariatric surgery and the only maternity wing in the community. The hospital features all private rooms and is the largest private-sector employer in Indian River County.
