Essence of Nursing Award- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
Essence of Nursing Award- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
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May 5, 2000
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In This Issue:
Town Meeting with Dr. Thier
Essence of Nursing Award
Construction on Bretholtz Center Begins
BWH Nursing
Pike Notes
Melanoma Monday
The Mary S. Fay Essence of Nursing Award is presented annually to a BWH nurse who best represents the highest ideals of the nursing profession. This year’s recipient is Yolanda Harmuth, RN, OCN. Yolanda, or “Yoly,” as she is known to her friends, will receive the award at a special gala dinner held for all BWH nurses on Wednesday, May 17, at the Westin Hotel in Waltham. In addition to presenting the Essence of Nursing Award, the dinner will recognize and honor all of the BWH nurses who devote their valuable time and ceaseless energy to caring for their patients. BWH’s approximately 1,800 nurses work extremely hard to provide top-quality care and attention to everyone, from patients undergoing the most routine of exams to those in the most serious of medical conditions. No matter the hour, the nurses of BWH strive to place their patients’ needs above all else. Yoly, this year’s Essence of Nursing Award recipient, embodies these qualities and many more. Yoly, who was chosen out of five finalists for the award, is the head nurse of one of BWH’s oncology groups. She was recognized by her colleagues for the exceptional care that she provides to patients and families on a consistent basis, and for her unwavering commitment to the highest standards. Her demonstration of personal integrity, maturity, accountability, and respect for others makes her an exemplary role model for her nursing colleagues. She has excellent skills in communication, which enable her to work effectively with all members of the medical staff to provide outstanding care for patients and families. Because the Essence of Nursing Award is a peer-nominated honor, it comes with a particularly special distinction—that Yoly’s coworkers and associates, the people she works with every day, have truly noticed and appreciated her dedication. Karen Conley, RN, has known Yoly for 11 out of her 12 years of service at BWH, and has been her supervisor for the past 4 years. She heartily agrees that Yoly deserves the Essence of Nursing award. “Yoly really drives the care team, and advocates for patients to receive the best possible outcomes. She provides the best clinical examples for the new nurses—she sets a great example of how to act professionally, and how to keep the patient at the focus of care. “She’s been able to take her clinical and teaching skills and develop a really cohesive team on the unit,” adds Conley. She also independently makes decision about how to improve quality in the unit. Typical nurses don’t do that, but Yoly always takes steps to make that happen.” “I’m extremely extremely honored to be recognized by my peers,” says Yoly. “This award means a great deal to me—Mary Fay was the first person I met when I came to the Brigham. I enjoy the nursing that I do very much, and I can’t think of anything I’d rather be doing right now”.