Nassau University Medical Center Frontline Workers Recognized for COVID-19 Response

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Nassau Health Care Corporation

Nassau University Medical Center Frontline Workers Recognized for COVID-19 Response

April 14th, 2021

East Meadow, N.Y., April 14th, 2021 – Nassau Health Care Corporation (NHCC), a leading healthcare provider serving Nassau County, Suffolk County, and parts of Queens, sent three registered nurses to a special event recognizing their courageous service throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

NHCC is proud to announce that three Nassau University Medical Center nurses attended an exclusive event celebrating medical professionals for their outstanding service to New York during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jesus Salvator Bacareza, RN, Blessy George, RN and Joann Sheehan, RN attended the event on April 13th at Marta, a Union Square Hospitality Group restaurant. The event was organized by the bio-technology company CLEAR and included dinner, appearances by special guests, and gifts to thank frontline workers for their service.

Jesus Salvator Bacareza, also known as Jesse, works as an RN in the surgical intensive care unit. Although he is a RN I staff nurse, his initiative to manage the unit, mentor new staff nurses, assist in coverage, as well as help the nurse manager and Director find staff for coverage when needed has caught the attention of his peers. He has demonstrated progressive improvement in learning new skills and now mentors new fellows and students by teaching critical care skills. Jesse is caring to patients and their families and takes extra effort to meet their needs. Jesse graduated with honors from Holy Name University in Bohol, Philippines, in 2003, where he was President of his class. He currently resides in Flushing, Queens, NY.

Blessy George, works as an RN in the 9 West Medical United. Blessy immigrated to the U.S. at age 12 from her home in India and started her “American Dream” in an English as a Second Language (ESL) class. As the eldest of three children, she served as a role model for her siblings and was determined to make her family proud. She never shirked her duties and worked diligently as a pharmacy technician while in nursing school at NYIT. She was a RN student summer intern at NUMC during her senior year of nursing school. After completing her BSN, Blessy was hired as a new RN on 9W. She was always eager to learn and willing to go the extra mile for her patients and her coworkers. She has earned a reputation as an empathetic and caring nurse, always present and available to her patients. She excels as a Charge RN when assigned to the role, and is currently in the process of completing her Masters Degree in Nursing. Blessy described her responsibility as an RN during the COVID-19 pandemic, stating: “I realized what it truly means to be a nurse. The heart and mind it takes! The pandemic really fine-tuned my understanding as well. People may forget your name, but they’ll remember how you made them feel.”

Joann Sheehan, or Jodi, has been a registered nurse for twenty-one years and joined the Nassau University Medical Center’s Emergency Department as a staff nurse shortly after her graduation. Jodi is a valued member of the Emergency Department team and is respected by her colleagues and peers. Jodi’s willingness to help and to serve as a member of a team shines among her peers. As the Team Leader triaging at the EMS Desk, Jodi skillfully manages to do it all. Staff know she is a go-to person in times of need. She has been a mentor to many new nurses and is an expert member of the Trauma Team. Jodi now has her BSN after continuing her education while working. During the height of COVID, her team describes Jodi as “at the forefront, caring for not only her patients but helping others whenever necessary.” Any patient assigned to Jodi receives more than clinical expertise: they are treated with respect, compassion, and an understanding of both their physical and emotional needs.

Nassau Health Care Corporation is indebted to our medical professionals and staff, as well as our partnering institutions and government agencies without whom our successful operation throughout this pandemic would not have been possible. We are grateful to Mr. Bacareza, Mrs. George, and Mrs. Sheehan, alongside the rest of our outstanding team, for their superb service to the community. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do for our patients.

We would like to thank CLEAR and the Union Square Hospitality Group for their gracious invitation and for hosting this event recognizing New York’s healthcare professionals.

CONTACTS:

Niki Jones Agency
njones@nikijones.com
(P): 845-856-1266
(F): 845-856-1268