NJSNA Honors Nursing Excellence

Last year, the New Jersey State Nurses Association’s nonprofit Institute for Nursing launched its C.A.R.E.S. Award, a peer-nominated honor created to pay tribute to nurses who exemplify the best in the profession in the following five practice areas: Clinical practice, Administration, Research, Education and Support.

The following C.A.R.E.S. Award honorees were chosen by their peers as examples of excellence in their field.

CLINICAL
Dr. Kathleen Bornhoeft
Primary Care APN
Capital Health Primary Care

Bozena Czekalski
Stroke Program Nurse Practitioner
Riverview Medical Center

Natalie Dalessandro
Degrees: BSN, RN, CMSRN
Jefferson Washington Township Hospital

Susan Dow
Degree: RN, Surgical
Bayshore Medical Center

Maria Gagliardi
Perioperative Charge Nurse
Jefferson Surgical Center

Elisa Green
Nurse Practitioner/Manager
Saint Clare’s Health

Steve Imperato
Degree: RN
Charge Nurse
AtlantiCare

Moira Elizabeth Kendra
Pulmonary Nurse
Atlantic Health System

Annette Lincul
Clinical Nurse
Jefferson Health

Lauren Marano
Degrees: BSN, RN
Jefferson Washington Township Hospital

Kimberly Oquendo
Assistant Nurse Manager
Raritan Bay Medical Center

Sarah Owen
Degree: RN
Raritan Bay Medical Center

Daniel Paganelli
Degrees: RN, BSN
Southern Ocean Medical Center

Rosemarie Pinlac
Staff Nurse Clinical Care
Riverview Medical Center

Jane Ramos
Assistant Nurse Manager Intensive Care
Raritan Bay Medical Center

Kathrine Sandberg
Team Leader Medical/Surgical
AtlantiCare

Ann Smith
Degree: RN
Southern Ocean Medical Center

ADMINISTRATION
Zoraida Bautista
Nurse Manager/Practitioner
Hackensack Meridian-Palisades

Toya Casper Cornelious
Chief Clinical Officer
Care One Management, LLC

Michele Gaguski
Administrator
Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center

Jonathan Gapilango
Director, Cancer Center Adm/Director, Oncology
Community Medical Center

Elisa Green
Nurse Practitioner/Manager
Saint Clare’s Health

Susan Hubner
Admissions Nursing Supervisor
Riverview Medical Center

Teresita Medina
Assistant Vice President
Clara Maass Medical Center

Hilary Nierenberg
Director, Network Operations
Hackensack Meridian Health

Anne Olsen
Nurse Manager
Jersey Shore University Medical Center

Jill Paulsen
Clinical Coordinator
Jefferson Health

Tracey Provost
LPN Administrator/Clinical Coordinator
Jersey College

Susan Rux
Dean, Academic Affairs
Chamberlain University College of Nursing

Uma Venugopal
Nursing Supervisor
Saint Peter’s University Hospital

RESEARCH
Rahshida Atkins
Assistant Professor/Family Nurse Practitioner
The College of New Jersey

Nancy Pontes
Assistant Professor
Rutgers, School of Nursing-Camden

EDUCATION
Marie Soledad Banal
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Riverview Medical Center

Dina Carilo
Professional Development Educator
Raritan Bay Medical Center

Fran DeLuise
Supervisor, Clinical Education
Hackensack University Medical Center

Sandra Emmanuel
Education Specialist
Hackensack Meridian Health

Courtney Foody
Advanced Nurse Clinician
Virtua Health

Sandra Foley
Adjunct Professor
William Paterson University

Donna Fountain
Associate Professor
Chamberlain University

Kem Louie
Graduate Director
William Paterson University

Cristen Mackwell
Clinical Specialist
Hackettstown Medical Center

SUPPORT
Donna Fountain
Associate Professor
Chamberlain University

Deborah Zuccarelli
Deputy Executive Director
NJ Board of Nursing