May 02, 2014

Winners (from left) Lindy Mathes, Heather Schibi, Sharon Gallagher and Melinda Traylor 

Sharon Gallagher RN, CAPA, Lindy Mathes RN, CMSRN, Heather Schibi BSN, RN and Melinda Traylor BSN, RN, were honored May 1 by TriHealth with the Directors' Award for Excellence in Nursing. (See profiles below.) Directors' Award for Excellence in Nursing are presented every year in early May to recognize outstanding nursing achievement. The ceremony was held at the Cintas Center.

The other nominees for the award were Diane Beyer RN, PCCN; Tonya Galgozy BSN, RN, PCCN; Donna Gorman BSN, RN; Jeanie Hollander RN-C; Jessica Klingerman BSN, RN-C; Christy Lammers BSN, RN; and Tracy Zazycki  BSN, RN.

"These nurses were selected as role models among their peers for demonstrating the characteristics of a nursing professional:  independent judgment and expertise, specialized knowledge and life-long learning, commitment to patients and community, and involvement in professional organizations," said Mary Irvin MSN, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, senior vice president and Chief Nursing Executive. "We're very proud of their accomplishments and the dedication of all TriHealth nurses."

Winner profiles 

Sharon Gallagher RN, CAPA - Same Day Surgery, Bethesda North

Sharon, a nurse for 40 years, has been recognized for her expert, compassionate care. Sharon currently works in the Same Day Surgery Unit. Co-workers shared their thoughts in her nomination:  "Sharon is a great resource to have on the unit. She is like a walking textbook!"; "Sharon also serves as a charge nurse on the unit. She is dependable and remains calm even during very hectic days. Sharon's No. 1 focus is patient safety and quality care."

Sharon is a strong advocate for specialty certification. Specialty certification in nursing is a way nurses demonstrate their expert knowledge in a particular area of patient care. Certification requires ongoing continuing education, a specific experience level and a comprehensive exam covering that specialty. Sharon obtained her CAPA (Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse) in 2002. Her self-motivation to rise to a higher level of specialized nursing care in the periop department continues by maintaining this certification through additional education and encouraging her peers to also pursue certification.

 Professional nursing organization involvement is one of Sharon's passions. She is an active member of the local, state and national American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses. She is currently president-elect of the local chapter (CAPANA) and is an active board member and officer at the state level. Sharon received the CAPANA Legacy Award this past year. This is a prestigious award given to a member who is a role model for the nursing profession and exhibits a high level of commitment to quality patient care. 

Sharon also advocates for those in need in other areas, as evidenced by her volunteer work in the community. She has been involved at her church by participating in wellness clinics and serving on their wellness committee. She frequently donates platelets at Hospice of Cincinnati in their Aphersis clinic.

 Lindy Mathes RN, CMSRN - 5-300, Bethesda North

In her role as charge nurse, Lindy has earned a reputation for providing her patients and their families with outstanding care and leading the staff in a very fast-paced, acute Medical-Surgical/Oncology unit.

Lindy, a recent Florence Nightingale Award winner, is involved in mentoring new nurses. She is currently enrolled in a BSN-completion program, is a member of the national Academy of Medical Surgical Nurses, and is a specialty certified nurse in Medical-Surgical Nursing. Lindy is very active with the local Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and is the Diabetes Resource Nurse for her unit. She is passionate about ensuring patients and families receive education and support for diabetes management.

Heather Schibi BSN, RN - 14CD, Good Samaritan

Heather is seen by her co-workers as an expert in the care of the oncology patient. In addition to completing the four-day course of oncology content, Heather has continued to expand her knowledge base with journal club discussions and by participating in or developing educational offerings related to both medical and oncology topics. She has played an integral role in developing safety and quality processes involving nursing and other clinical professionals.   

Heather is also noted for her sensitivity to the needs of the underserved. She extends this special skill outside of the workplace, assisting at the Good Samaritan Free Health Center monthly. She is known for doing whatever the clinic needs - from emptying garbage to assisting a patient in understanding a scheduled procedure.  

Heather is fully committed to the nursing profession, concentrating not only on her own development, but that of her peers. She is co-chair of her unit's Leadership Council and has been instrumental in implementing a number of improvement projects. In addition, she is a preceptor for nursing students, and is a clinical coach for newly hired nurses on the unit. Heather is a member of the American Nurses Association. When asked why she joined, she relays that being a member affords her access to educational opportunities that assist her in expanding her knowledge base and clinical expertise.

Currently enrolled in the Family Nurse Practitioner program at Northern Kentucky University, Heather juggles a full-time academic load with her full-time position at Good Samaritan.

 Melinda Traylor BSN, RN - Post Anesthesia Care Unit, Good Samaritan

Melinda's co-workers describe her as a "highly skilled, caring, insightful, intuitive nurse who makes a measurable difference for patients with her passion for excellence."

Melinda began her career on a neurology floor, developing a strong knowledge base in that specialty.  She then moved to the post anesthesia care unit where she remains an expert resource in the care of the neurosurgical patient. 

 A life-long learner, Melinda started her nursing career as an LPN. She has returned to school twice, first for her RN and, most recently, for her bachelor's degree in nursing. Throughout this time, she has shared her expertise and new knowledge with her colleagues, raising the level of care in the unit. One of these colleagues stated, "She has the skill and knowledge to monitor quickly the most critical of patients and to detect changes in their status, implementing appropriate interventions that lead to a positive outcome."

 Melinda has also been a hands-on volunteer. She has been active with her son's school functions and has served as a member of the Salvation Army Fellowship. To support ovarian cancer research, she annually has a team that participates in the Ovarian Cancer Alliance of Greater Cincinnati fundraising walk.