Lehigh Valley Health Network Friends of Nursing Awards Celebrate the Art and Science of Nursing

The American Nurses Association describes nursing as “the glue that holds the patient’s health care journey together, a science and an art.” Science advances nursing practice, and art creates deep connection between patient and caregiver. The relationship between science and art is at the heart of what makes nurses special – their ability to create meaningful relationships that demonstrate caring.

At the 2024 Lehigh Valley Health Network (LVHN) Friends of Nursing Awards program, held May 9 at the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks in Bethlehem, LVHN nurses and health care professionals were honored for their contributions to patient care, education, research and leadership.

During the program to mark National Nurses Week, 43 award recipients were honored in front of a crowd of nearly 700 people. Among the recipients’ stories were:

If you’re looking for Matt Turner, you’ll find him with families in the Children’s ER at Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital – taking extra time to explain the care plan or answer questions to alleviate fear and anxiety. Described as one of the most gentle, sensitive and thorough nurses around, he is exactly who you want by your side during what can be a chaotic, stressful time. In an emergency situation, it can be challenging to create a moment – to really make a connection – but he always finds a way. They say laughter is the best medicine, and there’s nothing like a dad joke to bring out the happy kid in us all.

Medical interpreters serve as cultural mediators to enhance communication between patients and clinicians. They are advocates, educators and cultural liaisons. Rebecca Sanchez supports patients during a vulnerable time on the labor and delivery unit at Lehigh Valley Hospital–Cedar Crest with her calm, reassuring demeanor and expert interpreting services.

Nurses who care for patients at the end of life take the art of nursing to another level. Hospice nurse Jackie Ludwig is a prime example. Her colleague writes, “Jackie is the light on some of our patients’ darkest days.” Her ability to build relationships is exceptionally unique because she has the compassion, empathy and emotional strength to care for all patients and families – even the very young.

When colleagues on the orthopedic unit at LVH–Cedar Crest know they’ll be working with Patient Care Partner Laurie Fridinger, they know it will be a great shift. Why? She’s kind, compassionate and always willing to help. Above all, she’s committed to patient safety. That’s why she is the perfect person to be her department’s fall prevention coordinator.

From helicopters to ambulances and meeting rooms to national conferences, you will find LVHN–MedEvac colleagues engaging in professional development. This team exemplifies structural empowerment with 100% of nurses and paramedics involved in professional organizations and 100% of nurses and paramedics achieving professional certification. This commitment to their craft shows they are the best at what they do – providing exceptional care to critically ill patients when moments matter.

Driven by his goal to build a teaching hospital in his home country, Liberia, Roosevelt Totaye is dedicated to giving back to the people of his community. He works hard so he can break ground on his hospital in West Africa, an effort taking shape brick by brick. Totaye began his career with LVHN right out of nursing school, and today is a nurse in the multisite float pool, which means he goes where he’s needed. Caring for countless patients at several LVHN hospitals, Totaye couldn’t imagine a better career than nursing.

For more than 35 years, LVHN has recognized outstanding professional nursing practice through the Friends of Nursing program. 

Lauren Zaun, RN, Breidegam Family Children’s ER, Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital

The M.G. Asnani, MD, Award for Excellence in Pediatric Nursing

Hometown: Perkiomenville

Eileen O’Brien, RN, Behavioral Health Unit, LVH–Muhlenberg

The Patti A. and William H. Lehr Award for Excellence in Psychiatric Nursing

Hometown: Stewartsville, N.J.

Mary MacMahon, 1B Medical-Surgical Unit, LVH–Hecktown Oaks

The Auxiliary of Lehigh Valley Hospital–Muhlenberg Administrative Partner Award

Hometown: Bethlehem

Mary Catherine Altmiller, RN, LVPG Hematology Oncology–Muhlenberg

Award for Excellence in Cancer Care

Hometown: Danielsville

Matthew Turner, RN, Breidegam Family Children’s ER, Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital

The Fleming Nursing Caring Award

Hometown: Macungie

Alicia Minnich, RN, 5J Inpatient Pediatrics Unit, Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital

The M.G. Asnani, MD, Award for Excellence in Pediatric Nursing

Hometown: Fleetwood

Jane Harding, OB-GYN, LVH–Hazleton

The Auxiliary of Lehigh Valley Hospital Patient Care Partner Award

Hometown: Hazleton

Heather Cygan, RN, 5J Inpatient Pediatrics Unit, Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital

The Florence Nightingale Exemplary Professional Practice Award

Hometown: Bethlehem

Elizabeth Sweet, RN, Labor and Delivery Unit, LVH–Cedar Crest

The Fleming Award for Exemplary Performance Associated with the Nurse Residency Program

Hometown: Emmaus

Rebecca Sanchez, Interpreter Services, LVH–17th Street

Award for Excellence in the Promotion of Patient Care

Hometown: Easton

Halee Leader, PA-C, LVPG Burn Surgery

The Medical Staff Partner in Caring Award

Hometown: Allentown

Siobhan Perry, RN, Regional Burn Center, LVH–Cedar Crest

The Edward and Anne Davis Award for Excellence as a Nurse Preceptor

Hometown: Whitehall

Brandon Haeseler, RN, Transitional Trauma Unit, LVH–Cedar Crest

Trauma Nursing Award

Hometown: Allentown

Samantha Heiserman, RN, Regional Burn Center, LVH–Cedar Crest

The Robert Lurig Memorial Award for Excellence in Burn Care

Hometown: Allentown

Jacqueline Ludwig, RN, Hospice Skilled Nursing

The Dr. Fred Fister Award for Excellence in Hospice Nursing

Hometown: Coopersburg

Mary Bolsover, RN, Payor Based Care Coordination

Award for Excellence in the Delivery of Ambulatory Care

Hometown: Fogelsville

Jane McKenney, RN, 2KS Medical-Surgical Intensive Care Unit, LVH–Cedar Crest

Award for Excellence in Critical Care Nursing

Hometown: Fogelsville

Emily Rodriguez, RN, Intensive Care Unit, LVH–Muhlenberg

Award for Excellence in Cardiovascular Nursing

Hometown: Allentown

Susan Leraris, RN, Periop Education, LVH–Cedar Crest

Award for Excellence in Perioperative Nursing

Hometown: Nazareth

Laurie Fridinger, 7K Orthopedics Unit, LVH–Cedar Crest

The Auxiliary of Lehigh Valley Hospital Patient Care Partner Award

Hometown: Allentown

Violette Francois, Labor and Delivery Unit, LVH–Pocono

The Medical Staff Partner in Caring Award

Hometown: Bushkill

John Kerprich, CRNP, Inpatient Psychiatry, LVH–Pocono

Advanced Practice Clinician Award

Hometown: Stroudsburg

Amy Cann, RN, 4B Medical-Surgical Unit, LVH–Pocono

The Josephine Ritz, RN, Nursing Award for Excellence in Patient and Family Engagement

Hometown: Stroudsburg

Robert Leshko, RRT, Respiratory Services, LVH–Hazleton

Award for Excellence in the Delivery of Respiratory Care

Hometown: McAdoo

Dominic Leader, PharmD, Pharmacy Administration, LVH–Muhlenberg

Award for Excellence as a Pharmacist

Hometown: Allentown

Maria Villacrese, RN, LVPG Internal Medicine–3080 Hamilton

Care Management Continuum Award

Hometown: Allentown

Deborah Sundlof, DO, LVPG Cardiology–Muhlenberg

The Edward and Anne Davis Physician Friends of Nursing Award

Hometown: Bethlehem

Dana Hashagen, RN, Nursing Float Pool, LVH–Cedar Crest

The Joseph and Judith Kaminski Award for Excellence as a Float Nurse

Hometown: Macungie

Lisa Duc, RN, 6KS Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit, LVH–Cedar Crest

Award for Excellence in Rehabilitation Nursing

Hometown: Fleetwood

Roosevelt Totaye, RN, Patient Care Services Multisite Float Pool, Lehigh Valley Hospital

The Fleming Nursing Caring Award

Hometown: Allentown

Raymond Ocasio, RN, 5K Medical-Surgical Unit, LVH–Cedar Crest

Medical–Surgical Nursing Award

Hometown: Whitehall

Megan Howard, MPT, Rehabilitation Services, LVH–Cedar Crest

The Bill and Nancy Mason Award for Excellence in the Delivery of Rehabilitation Services

Hometown: Quakertown

Brett Swire, RN, Operating Room, LVH–Cedar Crest

The LVHN Zero Harm Patient Safety Friends of Nursing Award

Hometown: Boyertown

Michele Roberts, MSN, Interim Vice President of Nursing Operations and Liaison Services, LVHN

Transformational Leadership Award

Hometown: Bloomsburg

Kayliyah Forbes, DeSales University

Award for Excellence as a Student Nurse

Hometown: Allentown

Paul Pueyes, Cedar Crest College

Award for Excellence as a Student Nurse

Hometown: Emmaus

LVHN–MedEvac

The Fleming Award to Recognize a Unit/Department Which Demonstrates a Commitment to Structural Empowerment

Endoscopy/GI Lab, LVH–Cedar Crest

The Fleming Award to Recognize New Knowledge, Innovations and Improvements

5K, LVH–Cedar Crest

Award for Professional Nursing Certification – Department Greater Than 15 Staff Members

Post Anesthesia Care Unit, LVH–17th Street

Award for Professional Nursing Certification – Department Less Than 15 Staff Members

2A Inpatient Unit, LVHN–1503 N. Cedar Crest

Patient Satisfaction Award for Inpatient Care

Wound Healing Center, LVH–Cedar Crest

The Patient Satisfaction Award for Ambulatory Services 

DAISY Team Award

Patient Care Specialists