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NUMC’S CHRISTINE MANCUSO, RN, BSN, AND AMY PAKES, RN, MS, NAMED 2011 NY/NJ REGIONAL FINALISTS FOR NURSING SPECTRUM NURSE EXCELLENCE PROGRAM FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 21, 2011

PRESS CONTACT:
Shelley Lotenberg
shelley@numc.edu
516-572-6055

NUMC’S CHRISTINE MANCUSO, RN, BSN, AND AMY PAKES, RN, MS, NAMED 2011 NY/NJ REGIONAL FINALISTS FOR NURSING SPECTRUM NURSE EXCELLENCE PROGRAM FOR COMMUNITY SERVICE

East Meadow, NY… Two Nassau University Medical Center nurses have been chosen as finalists for the 2011 Nursing Spectrum Nurse Excellence program for the NY/NJ region. Christine Mancuso, RN, BSN, nurse manager for the breast center will be honored in the community service category and Amy Pakes, RN, MS, nurse manager for the burn center, will be honored in the clinical care category. Ms. Mancuso and Ms. Pakes are two of thirty finalists chosen from the NY/NJ region for the community service category. Five nurses were chosen for each category which included, advancing and leading the profession, clinical care, community service, management, mentoring and teaching.

In a letter addressed to Ms. Mancuso and Ms. Pakes, Eileen Williamson, RN, MSN, senior vice president of nursing communications and initiatives for Gannett Healthcare Group publishers of Nursing Spectrum said: “I am extremely pleased to inform you that have been named NY/NJ regional finalists in the 2011 Nursing Spectrum nurse excellence program. You will be honored at our Excellence Awards banquet on Thursday, June 2, 2011 at the GlenPointe Marriott in Teaneck, New Jersey. That evening, from among the thirty six regional winners, one from each category, will be announced and will move on to the national program representing the NY/NJ region. Congratulations from all of us at Nursing Spectrum.”

 Arthur A. Gianelli, President/CEO of the NuHealth System added his congratulations: “I would like to congratulate Ms. Mancuso and Ms. Pakes on this extraordinary honor. These two women are exemplary nurses, their commitment and compassion to patients and their philanthropic efforts in the surrounding communities make them both assets to NUMC and the nursing profession.”

Gannett Healthcare Group is a nursing and healthcare communications company and the largest print and electronic publisher of news and information for registered nurses. Gannett Healthcare Group operates Nurse.com, TodayinPT.com, TodayinOT.com and PearlsReview.com and publishes the companion print magazines Nursing Spectrum, NurseWeek, Today in PT and Today in OT.

Kathy Skarka, MSN, RN, CAN, NuHealth’s Senior Vice President / CNO, also congratulated Ms. Mancuso and Ms. Pakes, “I am honored to have the privilege to work with these two nursing professionals on a daily basis. The extraordinary effort they demonstrate towards their patients is admirable. I am proud to have them representing NUMC at this year’s Nursing Spectrum’s Excellence Award banquet.”

A registered nurse since 1972, Ms. Mancuso has worked in public health for her entire career.  She is the ultimate professional who expects the same from all levels of staff and always strives to create a patient centered model of care.  She maintains good communications with all disciplines to foster the highest expectations and quality outcomes for her patients. A graduate of Villanova University, Ms. Mancuso serves on the board of advisors of the regional chapter of the American Cancer Society and has been a former president.  She chairs our Corporation’s participation in the annual Revlon Run and represents the Long Island region on the NYSDOH Cancer Services Program Partnership Council.  She also reviews grants for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure.  She has always actively participated in our own “Nurse Week” preparations and is currently working on our institution’s smoking cessation initiative. Ms. Mancuso resides in Garden City.

Ms. Pakes attended Molloy College for her nursing degree.  She has worked in the burn center at NUMC in some capacity for the past twenty-four years.  During her tenure, she has spent countless hours caring for both the critically injured as well as the non-critically injured burn patient of any age.  Ms. Pakes currently is the nurse manager for not only our burn unit but for the hyperbaric unit and surgical intensive care unit. During her career, she identified a deficiency in the community’s knowledge of fire prevention and safety.  She has been a resource person for outside organizations, both professional and non-professional alike, educating them on not only fire safety and general safety, but has incorporated carbon monoxide safety education into her programs as well. She has been and continues to be a clinical resource to the nursing community and has developed educational programs on burn care and related conditions that are treated in burn centers.  She has lectured at regional nursing conferences and senior nursing seminars. Ms. Pakes resides in East Hampton.

ABOUT NUHEALTH
NuHealth is a Long Island health care organization delivering essential medical care and disease and lifestyle management to everyone at every stage of life.  Also known as Nassau Health Care Corporation, NuHealth is a public benefit corporation managing the operations of Nassau Medical Center, A. Holly Patterson Extended Care and a network of Family Health Centers that bring primary and specialty care out into the community.  By emphasizing wellness, cultural sensitivity and collaborative efforts with the North Shore-LIJ Health System, NuHealth is working to make good care more affordable and easier to access.

For more information about NuHealth or its Centers of Care, visit www.nuhealth.net.