Excellence in Nursing
Gardner and Lamanis presented with the Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing
Home & Community Health Services, Inc. (H&CHS), Johnson Health Network's Visiting Nurse and Hospice Agency is proud to announce that two of its nurses, Nancy Gardner, L. P.N., and Susan Lamanis, R.N., P. T. A., were recently presented with the Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing. They were among approximately 100 Connecticut nurses honored at the Nightingale Awards Gala Dinner, held May 4 at the Hartford Marriott.
Named in honor of Florence Nightingale, who is often referred to, as the founder of modern nursing, the Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing Program was developed to celebrate outstanding nurses and to elevate the nursing profession. Each year, healthcare organizations are invited to sponsor their most outstanding nurses for the honor. The goals of the program are to encourage retention, inspire future nurses, and recognize the breadth and scope of nursing practice at the local level.
Susan Lamanis' nursing career began in 1984, when she graduated from Springfield Technical Community College with an associate's degree in nursing. Having previously completed coursework to become a physical therapy assistant, she spent the next two decades working part-time as a nurse, while continuing her career in physical therapy on a full-time basis. In January of 2005, Ms. Lamanis became a full-time nurse/case manager with H&CHS. She specializes in working with patients with mental health issues, a position she finds very gratifying. Her patients benefit greatly from her compassion and support. Ms. Lamanis has even been known to come in on Christmas day to be with a patient in need. "The holidays are very hard on my patients," she says, "I can't leave them alone."
Nancy Gardner had wanted to be a nurse since her high school days, but never had the opportunity. In 1990, with the encouragement of her pastor, she decided to pursue her life-long dream and enrolled in Asnuntuck Community College's LPN program. She graduated the following year and began her career at Holyoke Hospital. A few short years later, in 1994, she joined H&CHS' nursing staff. She was drawn to home care because, she explains, "I love working with patients in their homes it is so interesting and rewarding." One aspect of her job that she enjoys most is helping patients learn to live safely in their own homes so that they can maintain their independence.
According to Nancy Thompson, Executive Director of H&CHS, "Susan and Nancy embody the true meaning of the Nightingale Award. They are exceptional women and nurses; they exemplify the caliber of nurses at H&CHS. We salute and recognize Susan and Nancy for receiving this prestigious recognition."
Like all Nightingale Award recipients, Gardner and Lamanis each received a pin depicting a ring of nightingale birds, which are known for their beautiful song, yet seldom seen. The kind and compassionate care provided by nurses is similar to the nightingale's song delivered from the heart, without expectation or regard for recognition. The Nightingale Awards is a means for healthcare organizations to shed light on their own nightingales and to publicly acknowledge their many heartfelt contributions.
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