When colleagues nominated Joshua Lasseigne, BSN, RN, CHPN, a hospice and palliative care nurse at The Mount Sinai Hospital for a clinical excellence award, they summarized his exceptional skills in a nomination letter. “He truly helps patients and families through the darkest hours of their lives with a soft voice of hope and strong loving hugs,” they wrote. “He has a passion for nursing, a sense of optimism, and is an excellent role model and mentor.”
Among a roster of outstanding nominees, Mr. Lasseigne was named overall departmental winner of the Boards of Trustees 33rd Annual Awards for Excellence in Nursing Practice, held on Tuesday, May 6. It was one of several ceremonies throughout the Mount Sinai Health System to salute nursing excellence during Nurses Week 2014.
Fifteen nurses from The Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai Queens were honored for their compassion, leadership, special abilities to teach and mentor, innovation, and devotion to excellence in patient care.
“Nurses are leading the way in patient care and safety,” said Carol Porter, DNP, RN, FAAN, as she congratulated the 34 nominees and 15 winners. Dr. Porter is the Edgar M. Cullman, Sr. Chair of the Department of Nursing, Chief Nursing Officer, and Associate Dean of Nursing Research and Education.
David L. Reich, MD, President, The Mount Sinai Hospital and Mount Sinai Queens, told the audience: “The spirit, talent, optimism, and leadership of our nurses are unmatched.”
Susan R. Cullman and Patricia S. Levinson, members of the Boards of Trustees, congratulated the winners. “I know that you are the force behind our improving patient satisfaction scores,” said Ms. Cullman. Added Ms. Levinson: “As I go on nursing rounds, I have come to appreciate that the profession of caregiving is a profound one.”