Named for Florence Nightingale, the founder of modern nursing, the Nightingale Awards of Pennsylvania honor exceptional nursing professionals who make a difference on their teams, in their organizations, and among their communities through their efforts in clinical patient care, nursing education, research, and nursing administration. Earlier this year, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center’s Jean M. Boles, MSN, RN, CEN, and Chris Haddad, BSN, RN-BC, were nominated by their peers in recognition of their inspiring leadership, compassion, advocacy, and clinical and research achievements. In October, they were celebrated as finalists during the organization’s 31st annual Awards Gala.
“Through their many accomplishments, Jean and Chris reflect the culture of PPMC nursing and exemplify excellence in nursing care,” said Lisa M. Triantos, MSN, RN, CEN, NE-BC, clinical director of Emergency, Medical, and Behavioral Health Nursing. “Their clinical expertise, dedication to patients and families, and innumerable contributions to patient care are unparalleled.”
Jean M. Boles, MSN, RN, CEN
Boles, a nurse in the Emergency Department (ED), was “shocked… just lost for words” when she learned she was finalist in the Nursing Research category, which recognizes those who enhance nursing practice, improve patient care, and foster innovative research. Since 2009, Boles has helped patients in the ED feel supported, seen, and “comfortable in an uncomfortable place.” She thrives in the ED’s fast-paced environment and is committed to making the ED experience less overwhelming and stressful for patients, visitors, and staff alike. Whether she’s making patients laugh or working with the ED Unit Council and Healthy Environment Committee to develop quality improvement projects, Boles is always searching for new ways to make a difference.
For five years, she has also chaired the ED Research Committee and led a group examining violence in the ED — an issue impacting hospitals nationwide. After conducting a comprehensive literature review and surveying ED staff, the task force created a Violence and Aggression Behavior Bundle outlining de-escalation approaches. “We also added a specific code, Code Violet, to activate interventions in case an individual shows signs of violent or aggressive behavior,” Boles said. The code and bundle have contributed to the increased safety of the ED environment for staff, patients, and visitors, and they have been implemented in areas across the health system. As Boles’ peers noted in her nomination, “It took years for the research to be fleshed out, but she never gave up. In doing so, she has shown that research is not easy, but the payoff is worth the work.”
Chris Haddad, BSN, RN-BC
Haddad, a nurse and wound care champion on PPMC’s Acute Care for Elders (ACE) Unit, was selected as a finalist in the Clinical Practice category in recognition of his superior nursing skills and outstanding patient care. Like Boles, Haddad was stunned by his nomination and “excited to be recognized” in such a public way, but it was an easy choice for his colleagues who view him as “a well-rounded, natural-born leader.” A self-described “Renaissance man,” Haddad is an enthusiastic preceptor for new nurses, an engaged Unit Based Council member, a staunch advocate who easily builds rapport with patients and families while discussing care goals and discharge plans, and a capable leader who is always ready to take on a new quality improvement project.
As a charge nurse, Haddad is responsible for monitoring urinary catheters and central lines to prevent urinary tract infections and bloodstream infections; his guidance ensured that the unit had no hospital-acquired infections in the last year. “I also spearheaded a project to distribute patient assignments equitably. Because of the pandemic and an increase in ICU transfers, we’ve been caring for higher acuity patients,” he said. By giving assignments based on a new acuity scale, he has ensured a better patient experience and higher staff satisfaction. As Haddad’s teammates noted in his nomination, “In just two short years on this unit, he has made immense contributions to the care of their patients, the goals of the unit, and the mission of Penn Presbyterian Medical Center.”