Baltimore Magazine 2023 Top Nurses
31 Johns Hopkins Nurses Named to Baltimore Magazine’s 2023 Top Nurses List
This year, 31 outstanding Johns Hopkins nurses have been named “top nurses” by Baltimore magazine, and are being presented with the publication’s 2023 Excellence in Nursing award.
The nurses were chosen from hundreds of nominations submitted by peers, supervisors and patients. An expert panel of senior nurse advisers reviewed the nominations and selected the region’s top 141 nurses, in 28 specialties, for their extraordinary contributions to health care.
Congratulations to our 2023 Baltimore magazine Excellence in Nursing award winners and all the exceptional Johns Hopkins nurses who provide extraordinary care and expertise every day.
Meet Johns Hopkins’ Excellence in Nursing award winners, and read why each is proud to be a nurse:
Stephanie Al-Adhami, M.S.N., R.N., N.P.D.-B.C., C.A.P.A.
Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
“The transition-to-practice period is an incredibly challenging and vulnerable time for new nurses, and I am honored to be trusted to help them through it. It is so gratifying to watch a once timid and insecure nurse resident become a competent, confident nurse leading their unit in best practice. Knowing I played a part not only in that nurse’s growth, but also in the quality patient care they provide, gives me great professional satisfaction.”
Mindy Berger, M.S., B.S.N., R.N.-B.C.
Johns Hopkins Community Physicians
“I am most proud of nurses’ ability to do it all. Nurses take care of patients and families, lead teams, find safety concerns and the solution to prevent future harm, teach, learn, step up in a crisis, and make workflows and documentation better every day. I am in awe of all that nurses can do, and am proud to be one.”
Meg Bernstein, M.S., R.N.
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
“Very few people know early on in life what they want to be when they grow up, I was one of those people. My mom was a nurse, and she inspired me to continue the legacy of taking care of patients as if they were your own family. After 36 years, I still love what I do.”
Amy Brown, M.S.N., M.A., R.N., O.C.N.
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
“What makes me most proud? My team! I work with an amazing team of professionals who inspire me every day I work.”
Caitlin Brown, B.S.N., R.N., C.R.N.P., R.N.F.A.
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
“I am most proud to be a nurse because I work alongside so many other nurses who on any given day should be given this same award.”
Mary Beth Carlin, M.S.N., R.N.
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
Stacey Danielczyk, M.S.N., R.N.
Johns Hopkins Health System/The Johns Hopkins Hospital
“As an educator, it is so inspiring to see the diversity of talent, skill and experiences nurses contribute to our profession. I am honored to work in a position that allows me to foster these talents and be a mentor for professional development. Whether new to the profession or practicing for many years, nurses’ commitment to excellence makes me proud to be a member of such a respected profession.”
Julia David, M.S.N., R.N., C.P.N.P.-P.C.
Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
“I am most proud when I am given the privilege to take part in a patient’s life, whether it’s the good days or bad days, and anything in between, which is often the case for our chronically ill kids. The passion, compassion and seemingly unending dedication to our patients and their families is seen in so many of my peers and colleagues in the nursing community, and I consider myself lucky to be counted among them.”
Cat Ehrhardt, B.S.N., R.N.
Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
“As a pediatric nurse, I am immensely grateful for the privilege to make a difference in my patients’ care and to foster meaningful connections with children and their families. As a health care advocate, it’s important for me to be part of educational initiatives to promote healthy living habits, especially related to infant safe sleep. Most of all, while doing work that I love, I am honored and inspired every day by the resilience, positivity and amazing spirit that children are able to uncover in the most challenging and fragile circumstances.”
Hannah Fetting, M.S.N., C.R.N.P., A.G.N.P.-C.
Johns Hopkins Community Physicians
“Nursing is more than my career or profession, it is my calling. My nursing education and training has enabled me to care for patients in some of their most vulnerable moments, and partner with patients in achieving their health goals. This is an incredible privilege, one I am tremendously proud of.”
Jennifer Ford, B.S.N., R.N.
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
“I think the most rewarding aspect of being a nurse is that I have not only the opportunity, but also the responsibility, to help people in their most vulnerable state. Being a patient or even a caretaker is often the worst time in a person’s life. As nurses, we get the opportunity to sort of “soften the blow” and help patients and families feel supported and cared for.”
Katherine Ford, B.S.N., R.N., C.C.R.N., C.H.P.N.
Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
“You have never really lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you. I am grateful for nursing giving me this opportunity every day.”
Dreama Franklin, B.S.N., R.N.
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
“I feel very fortunate to have spent the last 38 years of my life as a nurse, because it’s provided me with the opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of so many. It amazes me that people I meet as strangers would allow me to share in the best and worst times of their lives and trust me to guide them through a unique situation. I only hope that I have done my life’s work well and provided the care, understanding and support to those I’ve encountered along the way.”
Brooke Gast, B.S.N., R.N.
Green Spring Station Ambulatory Surgery Center
“When I was young, I always said I wanted to be a nurse to help others, provide comfort and put a smile on someone’s face during the most vulnerable time of their lives. I am proud to say after five years of being a nurse, I am able to do just that every single day while promoting health and building life-changing relationships. Starting in the medical progressive care unit, which became the COVID ICU, and now most recently, working in the Green Spring Station Ambulatory Surgery Center, I am beyond happy to be making a positive and meaningful impact on my patients’ lives.”
Kylee Gerohristodoulos, M.S.N., R.N., C.P.N.
Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
“As a nurse leader, I am most proud of the opportunity to mentor, support and advocate for my nurse colleagues. Creating a trusting environment, where nurses feel valued and appreciated, has a direct impact on the care that each patient receives. I am honored to be a part of that chain of caring.”
Rebecca Guthrie, B.S.N., R.N.
Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
“Each week, I get the opportunity to work with some of the sickest kids, at one of the most renowned hospitals in the country. Nursing allowed me to follow my passion, while continuing to challenge me.”
Erica Ledford, R.N.
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
“As a radiation oncology nurse, I have the privilege of helping others when they are most vulnerable. I value the relationships I create with patients and their families. Although this is not an easy journey for the patient or their family, I strive to make it a positive experience.”
Joey Lee, R.N., C.C.M.
Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
“I am proud to be a community health nurse at Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center, to meet patients when and where they need support the most, and to work with a team of collaborative professionals who strive for the optimal benefit of the patients.”
Cristina Mabry, R.N.
Johns Hopkins Community Physicians
“Helping others brings me such joy! When I can help patients understand how to take their medications, learn how to control their blood pressure or ease the concerns of a first-time parent who is caring for their sick child, I feel accomplished. I can’t see myself doing anything else.”
Maria Sheilla Membrebe, D.N.P., M.S.N./Ed., R.N., O.N.C., C.M.S.R.N., C.B.N.
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
“I love being a nurse! My mom said I have the “happy gene” perfect for my chosen career. Gratitude is ingrained in my heart every time I come to work. I am with Infection Control and co-chair the hand hygiene committee because I am passionate about preventing the spread of infections. It is the right thing to do for our patients.”
Bridget Montgomery, B.S.N., R.N.
Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
“Every nurse has at least one patient they will remember forever. They may or may not remember my name, but they will remember the care they received. We have the opportunity to help people in their most vulnerable, unexpected moments. That’s what makes me proud to be a nurse.”
Stephanie Morgenstern, M.S.N., A.P.R.N., A.C.C.N.S.-P., C.C.R.N.
Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
“As a PICU nurse, I have witnessed inspiring saves and devastating losses, but what brings me back each day is knowing that the work matters, that a nurse provides direct and holistic care that is an essential part of getting a patient to their best possible outcome. As a clinical nurse specialist, I partner with the multidisciplinary team to continuously drive critical care nursing forward, keeping the patient at the center of everything we do. It is not lost on me that the work we do is important, rewarding, hard, and requires sacrifice, but every day, no matter how small, we make a difference in a child’s life — and for that I will always be proud to say, “I am a PICU nurse.”
Mary Grace Nayden, B.S.N., C.C.R.N.
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
“I love being a nurse. The best part is working with my team members, who share the same objectives of providing compassionate care and achieving goal-concordant outcomes. Our job is predicated by the simple principle of making a difference in our patients’ lives!”
Denise O’Neill, B.S.N., R.N., C.R.R.N.
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
“What makes me most proud about being a nurse are the opportunities we have to make a positive impact in health care. It is truly rewarding to be part of a team that implements evidence-based nursing practice to improve patient care and outcomes.”
Jessica Peters, B.S.N., R.N.
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
“The real victory is loving what you do! I’m grateful to have a profession that inspires innovation, fosters collaboration and allows me to impact the lives of those I encounter daily. I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
Kristin Poth, M.S.N., R.N., N.E.A.-B.C., C.C.M.
Johns Hopkins Health Care
“Nursing is a unique career that offers unparalleled opportunities to make a positive impact on the lives of individuals or an entire population. Whether you’re shaping the future one person at a time or influencing the future of health care delivery, nursing provides an unmatched avenue for creating positive change.”
Amber Richert, D.N.P., C.R.N.P.
Johns Hopkins Community Physicians
“My Hopkins training emphasized the importance of meeting patients where they are, treating the person in front of you and not just the disease, and working in partnership with my patients to achieve and maintain optimal health. When my patients tell me they feel seen and heard during our encounters, I feel proud to be a nurse.”
Sally Seen, B.S.N., R.N.
Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center
“I am proud to be a nurse because I provide my team the support to assist our patients to better manage their chronic conditions and improve their lives. Although I no longer provide direct patient care, I assist in ensuring that our patients have everything they need to stay healthy and well at home.”
Kim Seifert, B.S.N., R.N.
The Johns Hopkins Hospital
“What I love most about my job as a nurse is that I have been given the opportunity to work with such incredible families and an amazing team of providers who are truly dedicated to providing comprehensive, well-coordinated care for children with cleft and craniofacial conditions from the initial diagnosis throughout childhood. It is rare in health care to really get to know your patients and their families and watch them grow up and reach milestones. I am grateful that I am able to help this complex patient population navigate the journey.”
Mark Straughn, B.S.N., R.N., C.E.N.
Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center
“The thing that makes me the most proud to be a nurse is the way we work as a team. This was especially true working in the emergency department during the first year of the pandemic. There was so much uncertainty, but we always seemed to adapt and find a way to do what was right for our patients.”
Shanah Szanzer, D.N.P., C.P.N.P.-A.C.
Johns Hopkins Children’s Center
“Being a nurse gives me the opportunity to forge meaningful relationships with my patients and their families. There is no greater privilege to me as a nurse than getting to know the patients I care for and helping to guide and advocate for their goals through a complex health system.”