Every month, PPMC staff members who embody Service, Teamwork, Achievement, and Respect are named Presby STARs. In addition to earning recognition from their colleagues, these outstanding all-stars receive a certificate and a $100 award.
Danielle Henry, an Emergency Department technician, was praised for the compassion she showed to a family whose loved one died of a gunshot wound. Chaplain Joshua Edgar said, “Danielle was observed by our evening chaplain to be a wonderful comfort to his family, going beyond that which was required of her to offer support in a meaningful way.” The family even asked her to accompany them to view the deceased. Edgar added, “This speaks volumes of her importance to them during this horrible time.”
Sometimes staff show up for patients before they even arrive. That was the case when Teresa Abbott, BS, MLS (ASCP), and Jacqueline Wahner, BS, MLS (ASCP), point-of-care testing coordinators for Penn Medicine University City (PMUC) Lab, were returning from PMUC to PPMC and encountered a mother and her adult daughter trying to navigate Filbert Street on their way to the Heart & Vascular Pavilion. Safety Manager Bill Rudolph said, “The mother was trying to ride her walker with the daughter pushing her, but the walker fell over.” Jackie and Teresa checked on the women, then escorted the pair to the mother’s appointment.
Rita Anusionwu, RN, BSN, MPH, commended the friendliness and professionalism of Jaivon Leprozo, a patient transporter with Environmental Services. Leprozo is known on Wright-Saunders 3, PPMC’s COVID-19 unit, for going above and beyond and picking up dirty linens without needing reminders from the staff. “He was instructed on isolation precautions and the use of appropriate infection-prevention steps to protect not just himself, but our patients and staff,” Anusionwu said. Leprozo maintains precautions “strictly and religiously every time, and with smiles and excellent handwashing.” She added, “He does his job so well and never forgets to wish the staff a nice day before exiting the unit.”
Sometimes it’s the seemingly small gestures that leave a lasting impression. Perioperative assistant Brian Kisiel transported a patient to the Scheie Eye Institute operating room for surgery. The patient was scared about her procedure. When Kisiel found out she loved ice cream, he went out of his way to buy her an ice cream sandwich to enjoy in the recovery room.. Marya Lieb, RN, a nurse caring for the patient, shared, “The patient and her parents were overjoyed and grateful … Brian’s compassion and thoughtfulness made a big difference in this patient’s overall experience.”
Thank you to all of our STARs for your unwavering commitment and compassion. You are an inspiration to your patients, colleagues, and community!
FEBRUARY 2023
- Doreen Masters, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Patient Care Associate
- Rodney Babb, Trauma, PSOM Research Coordinator and PPMCA Trauma Injury Prevention Specialist
- Nicholas Insogna, RN, Neuro Intensive Care Unit
- Nyesha Greer, Phlebotomy, Supervisor
- Brian Kisiel, Perioperative Support Services, Perioperative Assistant
JANUARY 2023
- Colston Yean, Post Anesthesia, Clinical Nurse 2
- Teresa Abbot, PMUC Lab, Point-of-Care Testing Coordinator
- Jacqueline Wahner, PMUC Lab, Point-of-Care Testing Coordinator
- Andrea Gadue, Surgical Pathology, Pathology Assistant
- Jacqueline Stone, Respiratory Therapy, Registered Respiratory Therapist II
DECEMBER 2022
- Jaivon Leprozo, Environmental Services, Patient Transporter
- Barbara Oakes, Patient Progression, Nursing Administrator, Quality Patient Safety Coordinator
- Zandria Moore, CUPP Pavilion 4 South, Unit Clerk
- Amarech Ponds, Nursing Administration, CNA
- Margaret Toy, RN, CUPP Pavilion 5 South
NOVEMBER 2022
- Annabell Boreland, NP, PHI Nurse Practitioners, Nurse Practitioner – APP I
- Danielle Henry, Emergency Department, ED Technician
- Dylan Feby, Nursing Administration, PRN Patient Care Observer
Jennifer Marcellus, Post Anesthesia Hospital, Clinical Nurse 4 – Inpatient
- Kate Kauterman (Vessel), CT Scan, CT Scan Angio Tech