In November 1999, after an eight-week hospitalization, J. Patrick Barnes died from complications of an autoimmune disease. Days after his death, his family launched the DAISY Foundation—an acronym for diseases attacking the immune system—honoring the nursing support Barnes had received. Throughout his health ordeal, Barnes’s family was struck by the level of care, compassion and guidance given by his team of nurses.
READ MORE:
• Meet 6 Top Health-Care Professionals
• C.A.R.E.S. Award Winners
Launched in Barnes’s home state of Washington, the DAISY Awards program has been adopted by healthcare facilities worldwide. Awardees may be nominated by a patient, family member, doctor, colleague or anyone who is moved by the dedication, skill and compassion of a nurse at a participating hospital or other healthcare facility.
New Jersey has more than 70 participating DAISY hospitals and partner facilities. In 2019, DAISY participants reported honors for 182 individual nurses and six teams in 34 specialties. Here is the complete list.
Brenda Acquah
Degree: SN
Student
Middlesex County College Nursing Program
Karina Agajanov
Degree: RN
Medical/Surgical
Clara Maass Medical Center
Mary Aguilar
Degrees: BS, BSN, RN-BC
Medical/Surgical
CentraState Medical Center
Rachel Albrecth
Degree: RN
Telemetry
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey
Juliet Alvear
Degrees: BSN, RN
Adult Critical Care
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey
Joanne Anscher
Degree: RN
Labor & Delivery
Saint Barnabas Medical Center
Natalie Arrosa
Degree: RN
Emergency Department
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey
Carmen Arteche
Degrees: BSN, RN
Pediatrics
Clara Maass Medical Center
Allison Atnip
Degrees: RN, CMSRN
Medical/Surgical
Newton Medical Center
Frances Baker
Degree: RNC-OB
Labor & Delivery
Clara Maass Medical Center
Walkidia “Kitty” Batista
Degrees: BSN, RN
Medical/Surgical
Holy Name Medical Center
Charles Bay
Degrees: RN, BSN
Intensive Care
Inspira Medical Center Vineland and Inspira Medical Center Elmer
Lovely Beaucluche
Degree: RN
Infusion Center
Saint Barnabas Medical Center
Serge-Alain Benoit
Student
Caldwell University, School of Nursing and Public Health
Francis Bergonio
Degree: RN
Intensive Care
Community Medical Center
Kevin Bilby
Degrees: BSN, RN
Step Down
Newton Medical Center
Michelle Bishop
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Francesca Borja
Degree: RN
Float Pool
Clara Maass Medical Center
Laura Bourque
Degrees: BSN, RN, BC
Behavioral Health Voluntary Inpatient
Monmouth Medical Center
Barbara Brossock
Degrees: BSN, CCRN, RN
Cardiac Intensive Care
Hackensack University Medical Center
Magdalena Buczkowski
Degrees: BSN, RN
Interventional Radiology
Holy Name Medical Center
Ashley Cardoso
Degree: RN
Cardiac
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset
Patricia Cave
Degree: RN
Home Health
Jefferson Health
Jamie Chadziutko
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Joshua Chu
Degree: RN
Float Pool
Clara Maass Medical Center
Gershon Clark
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Christina Clarke
Degree: RN
Emergency Department
Clara Maass Medical Center
Ellen Coltellaro
Degrees: BSN, RN, CMSRN
Intermediate Care/Step Down
Jefferson Health
Marianne Colucci
Degree: RN
High Risk Antepartum
Saint Barnabas Medical Center
Cheri Csillan
Degree: RN
Interventional
St. Francis Medical Center
Kathleen Cummings
Degrees: BSN, RN, CMSRN
Medical/Surgical
Jefferson Health
Jillian Curtis
Degrees: BSN, RN
Emergency Department
St. Francis Medical Center
Emilio DeAngelo
Degree: BSN
Student
Bloomfield College, Frances M. McLaughlin Division of Nursing
Gina DeFuria
Degree: RN
Infusion Center
Overlook Medical Center
Laura DeKleine-Davis
Degrees: RN, BSN, SCRN
Surgical Intensive Care
Morristown MedicalCenter
Brianna DeLucrezia
Degrees: BSN, RN
Oncology
Clara Maass Medical Center
Alexis DiFranco
Degrees: BSN, RN
Intensive Care
Newton MedicalCenter
Karen Dipietro
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Natasha Dixson
Degree: LPN
Oncology
Regional Cancer Care Associates
Patricia Dolan
Degrees: RN-BSN, ACM
Medical/Surgical
Saint Peter’s University Hospital
Tara Donnelly
Degrees: BSN, RN, NE-BC
Outpatient Infusion
Overlook Medical Center
Daniella Dyevoich
Degree: BSN
Medical/Surgical/Telemetry
Monmouth Medical Center
Lee Ann Egan
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Thomas Egan
Degree: RN
Critical Care
Cooper University Health Care
Rachel Elbon
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Erin Elsaesser
Degrees: BSN, RN
Labor & Delivery
Overlook Medical Center
Danielle Erickson
Degrees: BSN, RN
Progressive Care
Hunterdon Healthcare
Ann Feeny
Degree: RNC-MNN
Mother/Baby
Chilton Medical Center
Marwin Fernandez
Degree: RN
Emergency Department
Hackettstown Medical Center
Wislande Fleurissant
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Robetson Fleurmond
Degrees: BSN, RN
Intensive Care/Critical Care
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset
Josephine Floro
Degree: RN
Labor & Delivery
Hackensack Meridian Health–Pascack Valley Medical Center
Kyeisha Frink
Degree: RN
Trauma Medical Intensive Care
Capital Health
Mary Ann Fuote
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Devonie Galbert
Degree: RN
Labor & Delivery
Hackensack Meridian Health–Pascack Valley Medical Center
Menaida Garcia
Degrees: RN, MSN
Intensive Care
Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Norbert Garcia
Degrees: MSN, RN
Adult Critical Care
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey
Sarita Garcia
Degree: LPN
Emergency Department
Inspira Medical Center Vineland and Inspira Medical Center Elmer
Lidya Gebrekidan
Degree: RN
Float Pool
Clara Maass Medical Center
Bonnie Geissler
Degree: MS, RN
Chief Nursing Officer
Clara Maass Medical Center
Alexander Goldsmith
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Erica Goldstein
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Diane Carson Griebert
Degrees: BA, RN
Outpatient Infusion
Overlook Medical Center
Luis Gutierrez
Degrees: BSN, RN
Step Down
Morristown Medical Center
Donna Haber
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Tatiana Hamarcak
Degree: RN
Step Down
Newton Medical Center
Judith Harrison
Degrees: BSN, RN, CMSRN
Surgical Services
Jefferson Health
Lauren Huntbach
Degrees: BSN, RN
Progressive Care
Virtua Marlton Hospital
Anne Marie Hurban
Degrees: RN, BSN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Naomi Hurley
Degrees: RN, CCRN
Intensive Care
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton
Laurie Jaffe
Degrees: BA, BSN, RN, CCRN
Post Anesthesia Care
CentraState Medical Center
Elzbieta Jarecki
Degree: RN
Hospice Care
Valley Home Care and Hospice
Donna Jefferys
Degrees: BSN, RN, CGRN
Endoscopy
Monmouth Medical Center
Kourtney Kaczmarski
Degrees: BSN, RN
Labor & Delivery
Holy Name Medical Center
Zofla Kapron
Degree: RN
MD Anderson Cancer Unit
Cooper University Health Care
Lydia Kasani
Degree: RN
Emergency Department
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey
Alethia Kline
Degrees: BSN, RN
Medical Intensive Care
Jefferson Health
Maureen Kovchok
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Marta Krajewska
Degrees: BSN, RN
Geriatric Medical/Surgical
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey
Jane Kramer
Degree: RN
Home Health
Valley Home Care and Hospice
Darlene Kuc
Degrees: RN, BSN
Neonatal Intensive Care
Hackensack University Medical Center
Cynthia Lanham
Degree: RN
Cardiac Telemetry
Newton Medical Center
Jocelyn Laroco
Degree: RN
Medical/Surgical
Clara Maass Medical Center
Julie Le
Degrees: RN, BSN
Intensive Care
Virtua Memorial Hospital
Cynthia Lembeck
Degrees: RN, CHPN
Hospice
Hunterdon Healthcare
Wendy Limandri
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Manling Lin
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Roxbary Andrew Lipa
Degrees: BSN, RN
Medical/Surgical
Overlook Medical Center
Sean Lyon
Degree: RN
Medical/Surgical
Hunterdon Healthcare
Joan Maheshuari
Degrees: BSN, RN
Medical/Surgical
Inspira Medical Center Vineland & Inspira Medical Center Elmer
Traci Manettas
Degree: RN
Oncology Infusion
Overlook Medical Center
Gurmit Mann
Degrees: BSN, RN, NAON
Medical/Surgical
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton
Tyler Manzi
Degree: RN
Medical/Surgical
Hackensack Meridian Health–Pascack Valley Medical Center
Carmen Manzo-Goral
Degrees: MSN, APN-C, CHFN
Healthy Living
Monmouth Medical Center
Kathleen Marsh
Degrees: RN, SCRN
Neuroscience
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset
Janice Martinez
Degrees: BSN, RN
Acute Medical/Surgical/Orthopedic
Inspira Medical Center Vineland & Inspira Medical Center Elmer
Johanna Marto
Degrees: BSN, RN-BC
Surgical
Holy Name Medical Center
Olga Matievskaya
Degrees: RN, BSN, CCRN
Intensive Care/Critical Care
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey
Sabrine Mbarka
Degree: RN
Progressive Care, Medical/Surgical/Telemetry
Cooper University Health Care
Asya McCants
Degree: RN
Medical/Surgical
Clara Maass Medical Center
Michael McKeage
Degree: RN
Critical Care
Cooper University Health Care
Daneane McLaughlin
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
John McManus
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Lauren Mehra
Degree: RN
Hospice
Valley Home Care and Hospice
Meghan Melone
Degrees: BSN, RN-BC
Respiratory Step Down
Morristown Medical Center
Michelle Mento
Degree: RN
Medical/Surgical
Cooper University Health Care
Donna Metzger
Degrees: RN, CEN
Emergency Department
Virtua Berlin
Gayle Mojica
Degrees: RN, BSN, PCCN
Medical/Surgical
Hackensack University Medical Center
Grace Molapo
Degree: RN
Maternal-Child
Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Abigale Monacelli
Degrees: BSN, RN, CCRN
Cardiac Care
Morristown Medical Center
Lorin Mooney
Degrees: BSN, RN, CAPA
Ambulatory Surgery Center
Morristown Medical Center
Cynthia Moorhead
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Beth Moriarty
Degree: RN
Oncology
Regional Cancer Care Associates
Anna Morozewicz
Degrees: RN, BSN
Medical/Surgical
Hackensack University Medical Center
Kenna Mowry
Degree: BSN
Emergency Department
Chilton Medical Center
Brittany Mulleano
Degrees: BSN, RN
Medical/Surgical
Clara Maass Medical Center
Sara Mulryne
Degree: RN
Step Down
St. Francis Medical Center
Tasneem Nadeem
Degrees: BSN, RN, PCCN
Intensive Care
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton
Kathy Nadler
Degree: RN
Post-Anesthesia Care
Inspira Medical Center Woodbury
Marites Narvaza
Degrees: RN, BSN
Mother/Baby
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey
Phygenia Nimoh
Degrees: MSN, APN-C
Nursing Educator
Caldwell University, School of Nursing and Public Health
Taylor Noble
Degrees: BSN, RN, CHFN
Wound Care
Newton Medical Center
Ashley O’Connell
Degrees: BSN, RNC
Maternity
Inspira Medical Center Woodbury
Lauren O’Donnell
Degree: RN
Emergency Department
Capital Health
Encar Olavides
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Olutosin Omisankin
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Teresa Omwenga
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Eveli O’Neill
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Jennifer Orr
Degree: RN
Intensive Care
Cooper University Health Care
Emmanuel Ortiz
Degrees: BSN, RN-BC, GRN
Medical/Surgical
Jersey City Medical Center
Albina Ostaeva
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Lydia Osuji
Degrees: BSN, RN
Telemetry
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey
Angeline Ouano
Degrees: BSN, RN
Medical Intensive Care/Surgical Intensive Care
Morristown MedicalCenter
Nellie Padre
Degrees: BSN, RN
Surgical Day Stay
Monmouth Medical Center
Kalaivani Panneerselvam
Degree: RN
Neuro Intensive Care
Capital Health
Felicis Janice Pascua
Degrees: RN, BSN
Medical/Surgical
CentraState Medical Center
Linda Pearson
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Jennifer Peck
Degrees: BSN, RN, CCRN
Step Down
Newton Medical Center
Isabel Pena
Degree: RN
Medical/Surgical
Holy Name Medical Center
Lukasz Pieczonka
Degrees: BSN, RN
Emergency Department
Chilton Medical Center
Andrew Pierce
Degree: RN
Dialysis
Jefferson Health
Michelle Profaci
Degree: RN
Oncology
Regional Cancer Care Associates
Lisa Pyper
Degrees: RN, CHRN
Hyperbaric Oxygen Center
Newton Medical Center
Eunice Ramos
Degrees: BSN, RN
Psychiatry
Holy Name Medical Center
Naomi Ramos
Degrees: BSN, RN, CCRN
Pediatric Intensive Care
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey
MaryBeth Ray
Degrees: RN, BSN, CCRN
Cardiac Critical Care
Hackensack University Medical Center
Carly Richman
Degrees: MPH, MSMOB, BSN, RN, CMSRN
Pulmonary
Virtua Marlton Hospital
Ann Riedinger
Degrees: RN, RN-BC
Adult Behavioral Health
Jefferson Health
Jennifer Roach
Degrees: RN, CMSRN
Medical/Surgical
Jefferson Health
Kimberly Rochette
Degree: RN
Step Down
Newton Medical Center
Michelle Rodriguez
Degrees: BSN, RN
Outpatient Infusion
Overlook Medical Center
Kerry Rummel
Degree: RN
Outpatient Infusion
Monmouth Medical Center Southern Campus
Damaris Sanchez
Degree: RN-BC
Complex Activation Medical Unit/Intensive Burns Care Unit
Inspira Medical Center
Vineland and Inspira Medical Center Elmer
Vivian Sanon-Joseph
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Susan Schlaefer
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Dan Schowgurow
Degree: RN
Medical/Surgical
Virtua Marlton Hospital
Dawn Scott
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Maniesha Sejour
Degrees: BSN, RN
Float Pool
Newark Beth Israel Medical Center and Children’s Hospital of New Jersey
Alicia Serignese
Degrees: BSN, RN
Intensive Care
Newton Medical Center
Shannon Silverstein
Degrees: RN, BSN
Inpatient
Children’s Specialized Hospital
Tina Silvestri
Degrees: RN, BSN, CCRN
Medical Intensive Care
Hackensack University Medical Center
Nicole Siplin
Degree: RN
Float Pool/Critical Care
Capital Health
Christine Sommers
Degrees: BSN, RN
Surgical Intensive Care
Community Medical Center
Tanisha Sosa
Degrees: RN, BSN, CEN
Emergency Department
Capital Health
Djenane Marseille St. Fleur
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Lauren Stroh
Degrees: BSN, RN, CHPN
Palliative Care/In-Patient Hospice
Morristown Medical Center
Karen Suczewski
Degrees: MS, BSN, RN-BC
Pre-Admission Testing
Overlook Medical Center
Mary (Mollie) Sullivan
Degrees: BSN, RN
Medical Intensive Care
Morristown Medical Center
Swathilakshmi Tavarekare
Student
Middlesex County College Nursing Program
Denise Todd
Degrees: RN, BSN, CEN
Emergency Department
Virtua Berlin
Laura Tommas
Degree: LPN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Phil Torcivia
Degrees: RN, BSN
Medical/Surgical
Hackensack University Medical Center
Samantha Toth
Degrees: BSN, RN
Medical/Surgical
Newton Medical Center
Carolyn Tuella
Degrees: EDD, RN
Nursing Educator
Bloomfield College, Frances M. McLaughlin Division of Nursing
Linda Tuozzo
Degrees: RN, BSN
Pediatrics
Hackensack University Medical Center
Casandra Venditti
Degrees: RN, BSN
Cardiac Medical
Morristown Medical Center
Daisy Vilchez
Degree: RN
Surgery
Saint Barnabas Medical Center
Ann Walsh
Degree: RN
Oncology
Regional Cancer Care Associates
Afton Werner
Degree: RN
Step Down
Newton Medical Center
Katelyn West
Degrees: BSN, RN
Special Care Nursery
Community Medical Center
Jim Wilson
Degree: RN
Home Health
Visiting Nurse Association Health Group
Maria Leila Yasay
Degrees: BSN, RN
Acute Care
Inspira Medical Center Woodbury
TEAM HONOREES
Window to a New World at Community Medical Center
Labor and Delivery/Surgical Services/Nursery
Community Medical Center
Team 3B
3B-Medical/Surgical/Telemetry
Community Medical Center
Team One South at Newton Medical Center
Neuro Telemetry Step Down
Newton Medical Center
Endoscopy at Clara Maass Medical Center
Endoscopy
Clara Maass Medical Center
Little Silver Division Nursing Team at Regional Cancer Care Associates
Oncology
Regional Cancer Care Associates
Outpatient Infusion Center at Community Medical Center
Outpatient Infusion Center
Community Medical Center