BWH Nurses Honored by New England Regional Black Nurses Association
Four BWH nurses were among 13 nurses from Boston area hospitals honored with 2010 New England Regional Black Nurses Association (NERBNA) Excellence in Nursing Awards for their contributions and outstanding nursing achievements. The nurses received their awards at a celebration Feb. 6, National Black Nurses Day, at the Copley Marriott Hotel in Boston.
Angelleen Peters-Lewis, PhD, RN
As executive director of Women and Newborn’s Nursing and Clinical Services, Peters-Lewis provides leadership by creating a climate and culture where outstanding, compassionate evidence-based nursing care is provided in partnership with patients and multidisciplinary teams. “She is unwavering in her commitment to the nursing staff and continues to create an environment for nursing to flourish,” said the nomination form signed by CWN Nursing directors. Peters-Lewis is committed to eliminating disparities in care, creating a culture where nurses and nursing practice develop through research and meeting the diverse needs of all patients and their families.
Kareema Mulrain, RN
A staff nurse on Tower 9CD, Mulrain often functions as the charge nurse for a 10-bed pod in BWH’s busy 20 bed Neuroscience ICU. She is a dedicated and knowledgeable nurse who provides complex care to critically ill neurology and neurosurgical patients. Her colleagues say that Mulrain is a clinical expert who makes herself available as a resource for both experienced and new nurses. “She is a strong patient advocate who consistently utilizes evidence based best practice as the basis of her care,” said Vince Vacca, MSN, RN, CCRN, nurse educator of the Neuroscience ICU, who nominated her for the award.
Egidia Rugwizangoga, BSN, RN
Since completing her initial nursing education in Rwanda, Rugwizangoga remains true to her roots and continues to give back to her home country as a volunteer on Team Heart Rwanda. In addition to volunteering in Team Heart Rwanda for the past two years, she contributes to the BWH Department of Nursing as a staff nurse in Plastic Surgery and Urology, serving as a mentor to students and newly licensed nurses and for the Partners on Healthcare/U Mass Boston Diversity Nursing Scholars. She also serves as a volunteer nurse in the Boston area.
Teyarnna Straughter, RN
Straughter is a great mentor to all, but especially to the many minority men and women at the hospital that aspire to pursue the nursing profession, said Cathy Rumble, MS, RN, nursing director of the Central Float Pool, who nominated Straughter for the award. “She is one of the most positive people and she represents this quality every day,” Rumble said. “She comes to work with such a beautiful smile on her face and it is evident that she is passionate about her work.” A Float Pool nurse, Straughter provides excellent patient/family centered care and demonstrates respect and compassion to all. Her commitment to education is demonstrated in her own life as well as her support and mentoring of others pursuing further academics.