AdventHealth Fish Memorial Recognizes Nursing Excellence

ORANGE CITY, Fla., May 18, 2018 As part of AdventHealth Fish Memorials celebration of National Nurses Week, the hospital recognized six nurses.

Terri Youngbar received the Nursing Continuum of Care Excellence Award; Nissy Joseph-Exinord received the Nursing Acute Care Excellence Award; Angela Stickney received the Nurse Leadership Award; Veronica Lowry received the Community Service Award; Saliconte Charles received the Nightingale Award, and Maribel Crespo received the Anna Marie Mefford Award.

The Nursing Continuum of Care Excellence Award recognizes a nurse who has exemplified outstanding knowledge and expertise in caring for patients outside of the acute care setting. Youngbar, a registered nurse on the care management team at AdventHealth Fish Memorial was nominated by several of her colleagues.

I have had the pleasure to work beside Terri in her role as a discharge planner. She makes it her mission to ensure her patients have the best possible discharge plan, one that works for the patient, a colleague wrote in Youngbar's nomination form. She has had multiple difficult situations that require creative plans, and Terri gets it done, always with a smile on her face. She is extremely personable and makes the transition back home for patients as smooth and seamless as possible. And of course, nursing loves her for this and for all she does for our patients.

The Nursing Acute Care Excellence Award recognizes an outstanding, caring and professional nurse who exemplifies excellence in nursing, as well as developing caring relationships with patients, families, physicians, and colleagues. Joseph-Exinord, a registered nurse in the progressive care unit at AdventHealth Fish Memorial was nominated by several of her colleagues.

Nissy is an exceptional nurse and so deserves recognition. She is able to naturally understand what is truly important to the patients and their families. Once, Nissy pulled up Catholic devotions and songs for a patient to use, knowing that her patient was a devoted Catholic. Another time, we had a confused patient and nobody could win their family members trust. Nissy found out that the patient was a nun and had a priest come to give the patient communion, a colleague wrote in a nomination. Not only is Nissy beyond spiritual and loving to our patients, but also to our team. Once, Nissy knew a patient care tech was struggling for Christmas and she quietly gave them money to help for Christmas presents for their children. Nissy embodies our mission.

The Nurse Leadership Award recognizes a nursing leader who provides direction, support, and guidance to colleagues and is accountable for strategic operational and frontline performance outcomes. Stickney, a registered nurse in the progressive care unit at AdventHealth Fish Memorial was nominated by several of her colleagues.

Angela had evolved from a nurse tech here at AdventHealth Fish Memorial and is now an amazing nurse leader, all within five years! Her rapid growth and commitment to her role and the AdventHealth mission is remarkable, a colleague wrote in a nomination. Angela treats every patient as a whole, provides connected, loving care, and believes it's both an honor and a privilege to care for a community in the name of Christ. She consistently provides feedback and coaching to her team, which has resulted in phenomenal growth on the unit. Her work ethic and integrity is exceptional.

The Community Service Award recognizes a nurse who takes a leadership role within the community and has made significant contributions to improve patient care in Florida. Lowry, a registered nurse in the progressive care unit at AdventHealth Fish Memorial was nominated by several of her colleagues.

Veronica is passionate about the people she cares for. She recently went on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic, providing care to over 60 surgical patients. In addition, over the past two years, she has been volunteering at a clinic to provide ultrasounds to women who are unable to afford those types of services for their unborn babies, one colleague wrote in a nomination.

Veronica wears many different hats. She not only serves as one of our more experienced nurses on the unit, but she also gives her time at a local pregnancy center and recently got a job assisting patients into the final stages of their lives with hospice, another colleague wrote while nominating Lowry. The time, compassion, and love she gives to her patients in whatever atmosphere she is in never goes unnoticed. She is such a wonderful young lady and a wonderful role model to our community.

The Nightingale Nursing Award recognizes new nurses with less than two years of experience that exemplify outstanding professionalism, clinical knowledge, and care for patients. Charles, a registered nurse in the progressive care unit at AdventHealth Fish Memorial was nominated by several of his colleagues.

Saliconte has this soothing, relaxing vibe about him. He is so comfortable in his daily activities that he makes it look so easy. Being so new to the profession, his level of professionalism is outstanding, said a colleague in his nomination. His patients all love him and have nothing but the absolute best things to say about him. Saliconte's compassion for his patients and families is truly special. His love for his team is sincere. He lives our mission to the fullest potential and then some daily. He can care for my loved one any day.

Named in memory of a patient care technician at AdventHealth Fish Memorial who passed away due to illness, the Anna Marie Mefford Award recognizes a team member who is not a nurse, but provides outstanding care and professionalism to patients, while establishing meaningful relationships with patients, families, physician, and colleagues. Crespo, a patient care technician at AdventHealth Fish Memorial was nominated by several colleagues.

Maribel is one of the kindest people I've ever met. Her compassion is extraordinary. She cares for every patient as if they were her own family, and consistently gives the best care to all, a colleague wrote in a nomination. She goes over and beyond for her patients, their families, and her team. I've seen this patient care technician touch the lives of many patients and families who come back years later and remember the care she gave them. That is so touching to see. I see her change the lives of our patients; that is an honor.

Celebrated from May 6-12, National Nurses Week recognizes the critical role nurses play in providing high-quality and compassionate patient-centered care.

About AdventHealth Fish Memorial

AdventHealth Fish Memorial is a member of Adventist Health System, a faith-based health care organization with 46 hospital campuses in nine states, serving more than 5 million patients annually. With a mission to extend the healing ministry of Christ, AdventHealth Fish Memorial has 175-beds and is one of the seven AdventHealth’s in Flagler, Lake and Volusia counties that composes the AdventHealth Central Florida Division - North Region. As the largest hospital system in the area, the AdventHealth Central Florida Division - North Region has 1,226 beds and more than 7,800 employees.