More Nursing Profiles

 

Keiser University’s graduate school opened its virtual doors to a new Master of Science in Nursing program in August 2011, which was designed and led by Dr. Colleen Morgan, DNP. Her vision of a Master’s program that allowed nurses to “grow in place” and embrace their leadership abilities within their current workplace has captured the attention of nursing students and administrators. Her innovative curriculum enhances pre-existing skill sets of nurses so they can be better leaders in the healthcare arena. Then, they are not only able to assist with the transformation of the healthcare system, but of the nursing profession as well. The mission of our program is to prepare nurses to be flexible as leaders and to take critical action within a complex, changing healthcare system.

 

Keiser University is honored to be partnered with such an exemplary nursing leader.

 

 

Dr. Elizabeth Loika, FNP, PNP, is a founding faculty member of the Keiser University Graduate School Master of Science in Nursing program. She brings a passion for nursing to the development of courses and excellence in teaching for graduate nursing students. Dr. Loika earned her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Vanderbilt University in 2011. She retired from the United States Air Force in 2003, after serving in nursing leadership roles for 20 years. While serving as a flight nurse, she participated in numerous humanitarian evacuations, including the Beirut Marine barrack bombings casualty evacuation, Berlin bombing casualty evacuation, Afghanistan civilian refuge evacuation, and Bosnian refugee casualty care. Dr. Loika served in Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom and was the Child Sexual Abuse Consultant for the Pacific Theater, before retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

 

 

Nursing is a profession that embodies science and art. It takes a delicate balance that one acquires and then nurtures throughout their career. Bethany Powell demonstrates this to the students she teaches every day. She fosters critical thinking based on scientific evidence of best practices while coaching them to extend a caring touch to each client they interact with.

 

It is not uncommon to find Powell patiently counseling a student, her ability to capture their attention is amazing. She has a way of being factual yet caring while giving constructive criticism or praise. It is genuine and the students know this and appreciate it.

 

Whether in the classroom or the clinical setting, she is like the coach of a sports team. She creates the winning game plan, articulates the expectations and stays in the trenches with her students from start to finish, coaching and cheering them on.

 

She is truly remarkable and shines a positive light on nursing and education!

 

 

Since 1998, Mamie Armbrister has worked at the Women’s Hospital Center at Jackson Memorial Hospital, leading by example in her role as charge nurse, preceptor, mentor and friend. She has used her expertise in chemotherapy to serve her unit’s representative for the hospital Cancer Council Committee, which assists in reviewing chemotherapy research protocols.

 

An active member of the Unit Practice Council, Mamie has assisted council members in reorganizing the daily operations of the outpatient chemotherapy unit, which improved efficiency, satisfaction among patients, staff and physicians, and provided financial savings to the hospital.

 

Mamie’s colleagues consider her a role model and an excellent team leader – someone who is making a positive change in her unit and the entire health system.

 

 

Chris Evert Children’s Hospital (CECH) is home to a 63-bed Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), within which resides a NICU transport team. The team is comprised of RNs, respiratory therapists, nurse practitioners and neonatologists. This team is specially trained to do transports by air and ground. They are available 24/7 and are able to respond immediately when a call is received for a transport.

 

The NICU at CECH is one of 11 Regional Perinatal Intensive Care Centers in Florida. As such, it is held to a higher standard. As soon as the transport team arrives at the referring hospital, the tiny patients begin receiving the Level III care needed by our team of experts. It takes a dedicated group of specially trained staff to run a successful team such as the one at Broward Health’s CECH.

 

 

Chris Evert Children’s Hospital (CECH) is home to a Level I Pediatric Trauma Center and Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), within which resides a PICU transport team. The team is comprised of 20 nurses, pediatric intensivists and respiratory therapists.

 

The PICU team is specially trained to transport children ages 0-18 that are in need of the tertiary services provided at CECH. They are available 24/7 and are able to respond immediately when a call is received for a transport.

 

To be a member of the PICU transport team, nurses complete a pediatric transport course, maintain their PALS and BLS certification and complete two transports under a senior transport member. Each year the nurses also take part in a four-hour education pediatric critical care course. CECH’s PICU transport team is successful due to the dedication of its specially trained staff.

 

 

Arlene Mesa, LPN, has been working with Catholic Hospice since March 2009 and has been a Licensed Practical Nurse since 2008. During this time, she has been presented with the opportunity to work in various areas and settings, enriching her knowledge within the field of nursing and palliative care. Mesa quickly learned that being a hospice nurse was a calling; not just a unique career path. “The rewards of being a hospice nurse for me comes from knowing that although I cannot change the outcome, I have engaged with patients and families in a more meaningful and symptom-free journey” said Mesa.

 

 

 

 

Carolyn Rodriguez, LPN, has been working with Catholic Hospice at the Inpatient Care Center since November 2008. She attended McFatter Technical School in Davie where she became a Licensed Practical Nurse. Being a mother of 4 with 3 grandchildren, she didn’t know if I would be able to continue working at the IPU but she was willing to give it a try. Rodriguez soon developed a deep appreciation for the service provided to patients and their families and found the true meaning of hospice. “The IPU became a part of me as I became a part of it. The hospice team is my extended family and that was very evident with the support I received during the loss of my son in December of 2010. The IPU is my home away from home and I thank God every day for bringing me here” said Rodriguez. She is currently completing a bridge program from LPN to RN and will be a nurse within the next few weeks.

 

 

It was an easy decision for Lana Simmonds, RN, to make the decision to become a nurse. This Broward College graduate says she knew she wanted a career where she could help people in their time of need, give proper medical care and educate patients and their families. For the last 5 years, she has provided just that kind of care and service at North Shore Medical Center’s FMC Campus. Her proudest moments happen when she sees a patient responding to treatment and they tell her they are feeling much better. She feels that nursing at FMC Campus is unique because of the hospital’s strong cardiac program, and she says that she and her co-workers are very loyal, and take the time to get to know each other. That fosters a strong sense of teamwork. When she is not caring for patients, Lana can be found with her family in her garden and working out at the gym. Her passion truly is wellness, so she says, “If it has to do with health and taking care of my body, count me in!” 

 

 

Caring for others runs through the veins of North Shore Medical Center’s FMC Campus nurse, Michael Arguelles. His parents and brothers are all in the field as well as many members of his extended family. This graduate of FIU, Sheridan Technical Center and Broward College says no matter how long you do it; there is room to learn more everyday as a nurse. The appreciation and gratitude expressed by a patient whom he has made feel better, is what keeps him coming to work each day. He is quick to note the camaraderie and friendships he has formed at FMC Campus, and how he feels that such a caring work environment helps patients heal and keeps the staff satisfied. As an avid gardener, Michael is also a baker and raises freshwater shrimp and fish. He also volunteers with the Garden Club at the Boys and Girls Club.

 

 

Lauren Gobin has been with Bayada Home Health Care for nearly 1 year and has quickly become an integral part of our field staff. Lauren works both shift and visit cases for us. Lauren has done absolutely wonderful work each time we have sent her to a case. Follow-up calls to clients are always positive. She is professional, efficient and confident no matter the situation.

 

 

Rita Traeger has been with Bayada Home Health Care since October of this year – coming to us from another agency. Prior to coming over to us, Rita was so dedicated to the client, she frequently worked 7 12-hour shifts per week to ensure the client was covered – including holidays. Since coming to Bayada, Rita has quickly adapted to our culture and embraces our company’s values and beliefs.

 

 

For Tiffany Cabibbo, nursing offered an opportunity to engage in critical thinking, utilizing clinical techniques and working closely with other people.

 

Since beginning her career 11 years ago, Cabibbo has shifted from direct patient care to administration, helping Martin Health System in its transition to a new electronic medical record system. But one thing that hasn’t changed is what drew her to nursing in the first place.

 

“I feel honored to be able to impact the lives of others,” she said. “Nurses are welcomed strangers in a patient’s life.”

 

In her current role, Cabibbo is working to help clinical staff utilize new technology in patient care. She encourages nurses in particular to be engaged in the process as technology changes how care is delivered. Ultimately, however, the goal remains the same as always.

 

“Everything we do should be for the betterment of the patients and their families,” she said. “You impact the lives of somebody’s somebody.”

 

 

Mary Smith became a nurse to assist people in times of need, helping patients and their families navigate their health care journey from diagnosis through treatment and recovery.

 

Today, just six years later, Smith is doing just that for cancer patients at Martin Health System. Smith began her career at Martin Health as a nurse on the oncology inpatient unit before moving to the oncology research department at the Robert and Carol Weissman Cancer Center.

 

However, she missed working at the patient bedside and returned to the inpatient side as a charge nurse, then interim director.

 

“I love the collaboration with physicians, staff and everyone involved in coordinating patient care,” she said.

 

Smith has been able to fulfill her career goal of helping patients. And she thinks there are countless opportunities for other new nurses to do just that.

 

“There are opportunities available in a huge variety of different specialties and areas,” Smith said.

 “It is a very exciting time for younger nurses just entering the field.”

 

 

 

Linda Cassidy serves as Director of Clinical Practice and Nursing Research as well as Magnet Program Director at Holy Cross Hospital. She joined Holy Cross in 1996 and has also held positions at Bethesda Heart Institute in Boynton Beach and several hospitals in Massachusetts, including Massachusetts General Hospital, Metrowest Medical Center, St. Luke’s Hospital and Bethany Hospital . She is currently a PhD in Nursing candidate at Florida Atlantic University. She received her Master of Science degree in nursing from Duquesne University, a Master of Education degree from Harvard University, and her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Southeastern Massachusetts University. She is a member of the Florida Organization of Nurse Executives, Florida Nurses Association, Broward County American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing, National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, American Organization of Nurse Executives, and the American Nurses Association.

 

 

 

Holy Cross Hospital Executive Director of Quality Management Deborah N. Lambrinos is a healthcare leader with proven ability to lead change and realize improved clinical outcomes and patient safety, while supporting process improvement that enhances clinical services, clinical outcomes and patient throughput. She joined Holy Cross in 1992 as a director of nursing, having previously held leadership positions at Mercy Hospital in Miami and Louis Weiss Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Lambrinos is described by her supervisors as energetic, passionate, analytical and forward-thinking. She is a skilled communicator with demonstrated leadership abilities who works effectively within teams and empowers others in the decision-making process. Lambrinos is a member of the Florida Organization of Nurse Executives. She received her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in nursing from Loyola University.

 

 

Rafael Alvarez, RN, has been working with HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Miami for the past three years and is a new graduate nurse. Rafael is a foreign medical graduate who came to this country in 2008 and started working as a Rehabilitation Tech in our Therapy Department. Later Rafael came to work in the nursing department as a Rehabilitation Nurse Tech/CNA. During this time Rafael was taking courses to become a Registered Nurse; his hard work paid off as in January 2012, he obtained his licensed.

 

Yaelis Penate, RN, has been working with HealthSouth Rehabilitation Hospital of Miami for the past eleven years and became a new graduate nurse in June 2011. Yaelis, is also a foreign medical graduate who came to this country in 2000 and started working as a Rehabilitation Nurse Tech/CNA in our Nursing Department. Later Yaelis, went to work in the Therapy Department as Rehabilitation Tech while working on becoming a Registered Nurse. On October 2011 she came back to work for the Nursing Department now as a Registered Nurse.

 

Both Rafael and Yaelis, as brand new nurses, bring new ideas and enthusiasm to the Team. Due to their dedication and ambition to improve themselves, they have now established themselves in a new country. They both are an inspiration to others in their position and to other colleagues. Rafael and Yaelis continue to build upon their knowledge, skills, and abilities. We are proud of their successes during this short period and are immensely proud to have them as part of our team.

 

 

Helping others and making a difference in peoples’ lives are just two of the reasons why Rose Ordieres says she wanted to become a nurse. She has been caring for patients at Coral Gables Hospital for the last 17 years. She attended Florida International University and The University of Miami and has earned the degrees of Bachelor’s in Nursing and a Master’s in Nursing. Throughout her career, Rose says she sees that nursing and healthcare in general are constantly in evolution. She enjoys being a part of the team at Coral Gables, who she notes are continually seeking improvements in the areas of process and technology. She says one of the biggest rewards she gets from her career happens when she sees people on the road to better health and the gratitude that is felt from the patients and their families. She is appreciative of all of the outreach the hospital does, and the opportunity to help community members get proper diagnosis and treatments.

 

 

Growing up in a family where both her mother and father were nurses inspired Jessica Miller, LPN, ASN, to pursue a career in nursing at Coral Gables Hospital. She attended Miami Dade College, Excelsior College and Florida International University. She is currently working on her BSN. She loves the opportunities in nursing and the people she gets to help. It means the world to her to be able to go to work and know she is positively impacting the lives of all of the patients she touches. During her 3.5 years at Coral Gables, she notes that it is a unique hospital. She credits the leadership team there with helping her grow and advance personally and professionally. She notes the family atmosphere and says she truly considers the hospital her home away from home. One of her most memorable moments at Coral Gables was when the hospital received the Joint Commission Top Performers in Key Measures for Quality award. She says she often reflects on how fortunate she feels to be a part of a team dedicated to patient safety and quality. When she is not caring for others, Jessica can be found spending time with her loved ones, playing softball and eating out!

 

 

A registered nurse at Jackson North Medical Center for 18 years, Elvira De Guzman is committed to providing safe, quality care to all pediatric patients in her unit.

 

She is a past recipient of Jackson Health System’s Service Excellence Award, recognized for her caring and compassion. She is known to go the extra mile for her patients and, over the years, has received numerous letters of praise and thanks from her patients and their families.

 

During the holidays, Elvira works extra hard to cheer up her young patients. She organized a pizza party and invited the pediatric patients and their families to celebrate and take their minds off of their illnesses. Elvira’s colleagues consider her a motivator and a healer with a caring heart.

 

 

Not only is Maria Derr a respected and well-liked nurse at Jackson South Community Hospital, but she is also a patient advocate. Maria takes time to explain, educate and inform patients of their disease processes and nursing plans of care. She excels in clinical care and in earning patient trust.

 

When treating a patient with end-stage cancer, Maria focused on keeping the patient comfortable and consoling the grieving family by providing them with emotional and spiritual support. The family was so grateful to have met Maria that they sent her more than 30 orchids to fill the hospital unit as a token of their appreciation.

 

Maria has proven that she is an expert caregiver time and time again. Her patients recognize it, as do her colleagues and the physicians with whom she works.

 

 

Throughout her nursing career of almost 20 years, caring for others has always made Tanya feel most fulfilled. In addition to being an RN on a busy Medical/Surgical floor, Tanya is an active mom with 5 children aged 17, 15, 14, 9, and 13 months. Tanya’s youngest is asthmatic and requires nebulizer treatments. Like her niece whose care she recently took on full time, her 9-year-old has type 1 diabetes.

 

Taking care of her children, her niece and their medical needs is an intense job and one she couldn’t do without her husband, Matthew. Matthew and Tanya are actively involved in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) which strives to find a cure for type 1 diabetes.

 

‘Once a nurse, always a nurse’ is what Tanya believes and she is a prime example of this. Tanya is an inspiration to her co-workers and a wonderful representative of the nursing profession.

 

 

Ed Pease, an RN of over 20 years, is the Assistant Nurse Manager of the Behavioral Health Unit at Broward Health Imperial Point. He worked through nursing school as a mental health tech and recreation therapist, integrating patients from hospital to the community.

 

During the height of the AIDS epidemic, Ed felt compelled to care for people with this disease and became a nurse. He moved to where the epidemic was most prevalent to work with HIV and AIDS patients at St. Francis Memorial Hospital, San Francisco.

 

Ed truly values the patient population he serves. Although the results of his work may not be immediate, by planting the seed he encourages his patients to grow and learn about themselves on the road to recovery.

 

Ed lives by the philosophy ‘Your work is to discover your work and then give all your heart to it.’ He does this every single day.

 

 

 

A charge nurse in the behavior treatment units at Jackson Mental Health Hospital, Elizabeth Basiratmand is a team leader dedicated to motivating her employees and furthering their career development.

 

Elizabeth facilitates with the implementation of unit protocols and revised hospital policies, ensuring that her staff is fully trained and knowledgeable of any changes. She assists with in-service training and unit orientation. Anytime something is needed of her, Elizabeth responds immediately and always makes herself available to help with any problems that arise on the unit.

 

Elizabeth has implemented teambuilding and motivational activities for her employees, such as a monthly birthday celebration. She is a well-respected nurse, who wins praises by her colleagues and patients.