Tribute to Excellence Journal 2023 - Flipbook - Page 23
2023 Quality Improvement Champions
Maria L. Franco, PharmD, BCGP
Chief Pharmacy Officer
Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
For her compassion and leadership during the COVID-19
pandemic, including efforts to bolster vaccination services
and set up on-site clinics; for allaying vaccine fears
among residents and staff; and for expanding the
vaccination program to inoculate homebound community
members and staff members’ family and friends.
Karen Harper, BS, MS Ed, CNA, CTRS, CDP
Director of Dementia Care
Isabella Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing Care
MJHS
For advancing nonpharmacologic approaches to care,
including incorporating art and music into residents’
daily activities; these changes have improved residents’
quality of life and led to increased engagement by family
members and higher job satisfaction among the care
team.
Alondra Hernandez, MSN, RN
Director of Nursing
Mount Sinai Morningside
For her efforts to improve patient safety and quality,
including leading an initiative to reduce contraband
items in the child adolescent behavioral health unit,
which resulted in zero new incidents since 2021; and for
spearheading the first mental health awareness tabling
and information session during Mental Health Awareness
Month in 2022.
United Hospital Fund | Tribute to Excellence in Health Care
