Suburban’s nurses continue to be recognized and sought after as experts in how to provide the highest quality care for patients and their families. National and local award recognitions, publication in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at society meetings and conferences allow us to exchange innovative ideas and share our experiences with colleagues around the country.

Awards and Other Distinctions

• 2020 DAISY Awards
  These awards are presented to nurses who are recognized by their colleagues and patients for providing patient-centered, compassionate care. In the midst of a pandemic, and in the Year of the Nurse, it is our privilege to recognize these nurses for their contributions to nursing excellence.
   
  1. Amy Chamberlin, B.S.N., R.N.
  2. Cora Abundo, B.S.N., R.N.
  3. Sabina Shrestha, B.S.N., R.N.
  4. Kelly Heller, R.N., C.E.N.
  5. Matilda Hazeley-Mutongi, B.S.N., R.N.
  6. Aurora Ramos-Castillo, R.N.-B.C.
  7. Progressive Care Unit team

• Johns Hopkins School of Nursing COVID Star Nurse awards
  Congratulations to Nursing Supervisors Cathy Clark, R.N.-B.C., C.H.-G.C.N. (pictured below, left); Fadwa Natour, B.S.N., R.N. (center); and Ioanna Traverso Sanborn, M.S.N., R.N., C.E.N. (right), for being recognized as 2020 JHM Nursing Stars! JHM received more than 50 nominations from across the system for this year’s An Evening with the Stars awards. Here are excerpts from Cathy, Fadwa, Ioanna’s nominations:
  • “Cathy and Fadwa maintained 7-day a week coverage for several months while we experienced a surge of COVID patients. Due to the rapid and constant changes surrounding PPE, patient placement, testing, and visitors, their presence offered stability and structure to our frontline nursing staff. They worked tirelessly and sustained superhuman stamina to get through the surge, and were key in our successful navigation through a transition to new ways of operating a hospital in the midst of this pandemic.”
  • “Ioanna leads by example. During the pandemic, she took it upon herself to make the Emergency Department staff and patients feel safe and everyday implemented new initiatives for safety and efficient patient care. She also worked on resiliency projects to help staff feel supported.”

• Johns Hopkins Medicine Safety Stars
  The Johns Hopkins Medicine Safety Stars award recognize nurses who demonstrate exemplary skill and courage in identifying and preventing harm and promoting a positive culture of safety.

  • Linda Meier, M.S.N., R.N., C.N.O.R.; Kristina Kepner, B.S.N., R.N., C.N.O.R.; and Dana Ghazzawi, B.S.N., R.N. (pictured below, left), were recognized for leading the OR team in a project called “Reducing SSI’s in Total Joint Replacements.” The project encompassed a review and analysis of all joint cases for 2019 at Suburban and operating room policies, procedures and practices. Next, areas were selected for targeted interventions. The project improved health care quality and patient safety by building a shared mental model among all OR staff.

  • The 3700 Acute Medical Team (pictured below, right) was honored for utilizing Lean Six Sigma concepts to create a Huddle Readiness Board addressing Safety, Method, Equipment and Supplies. The Huddle Readiness Board provides the team with a snapshot of the unit’s current state for safety, including the number of patients on isolation precautions, telemetry, fall risks and special concerns. The Huddle Readiness Board helps the team prepare for the shift by anticipating challenges and developing plans to meet them. The plan has increased resiliency among team members, who are learning continuously from each other and enhancing their abilities to problem solve and adapt to change.

• 2020 Readers Pick, Best Hospital Emergency Room, Bethesda Magazine
  In these annual awards, Bethesda Magazine readers vote on their choice for the “Best of Bethesda” in multiple categories. Congratulations to all of the ED staff and everyone at our hospital for making Suburban the best Emergency Room in our community!
   
• 2019 Johns Hopkins PLATINUM Patient Family Centered Care Award
  Congratulations to the Oncology and Adult Medical teams (below) on being recognized for providing outstanding patient- and family-centered care at the Office of Johns Hopkins Physicians Fifth Annual Meeting.

• 2019 JHM Clinical Awards for Collaboration and Teamwork
  The Johns Hopkins Medicine Clinical Awards recognize physicians and care teams who embody the best in clinical excellence. Congratulations to the Suburban Structural Heart/Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR) Team (below) on being recognized for its outstanding teamwork.

Selected Publications and Presentations

• Wink Mackay, M.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N. and Linda Simpson, B.S.N., R.N., O.C.N.J (pictured below, left), gave a wonderful evidence-based practice (EBP) podium presentation on “The CAUTI Challenge” during the 8th annual Mercy Hospital Research Symposium in November 2019. The EBP council received third place on their poster submission on the same topic. Thank you to the Suburban Hospital Foundation for sponsoring Suburban’s submission and supporting our attendance.
  
  

• Vicki Yfantis, M.S.N., R.N., A.N.P.-B.C., C.P.A.N., delivered a presentation titled “Process Innovation: Turning Challenges into Opportunities in Nursing Certification" at the 2020 American Board of Nurse Specialties Spring Conference in Atlanta, GA.

• Wink Mackay, M.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N., and her colleagues published an article titled “Engagement in Research: A Clinical Nurses Profile” in the May/June 2019 issue of the Journal for Nurses in Professional Development.

• Vicki Yfantis, M.S.N., R.N., A.N.P.-B.C., C.P.A.N. had an article titled “Certification of Perianesthesia Nurses: The CPAN and CAPA Certification Programs” published in the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN) Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum. (Full Citation: Certification of Perianesthesia Nurses: The CPAN and CAPA Certification Programs,” Pg. 908-913. Published in in Schick, L. and Windle, P. (Editors). ASPAN Perianesthesia Nursing Core Curriculum – Preprocedure, Phase l and Phase ll PACU Nursing. Fourth Edition. Elsevier, St. Louis)

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