The Way We Care Awards Recognize Exceptional Patient Experience

April 3, 2025

The Gateway Conference Center felt extra special on March 31 as ChristianaCare hosted its inaugural The Way We Care Awards at Wilmington Hospital to celebrate 37 caregivers who go above and beyond to help their patients feel valued, comfortable, respected and well-informed.

Hunter Tarburton (center), physician assistant in Emergency Medicine, was recognized for his responsiveness to patients. Congratulating him are Chief Clinical Officer Neil Jasani and Chief Experience Officer Wren Lester.

The Way We Care Awards recognize caregivers who have been commended by patients for providing an exceptional experience. These individuals embody the ChristianaCare values of love and excellence through their actions, communication and teamwork in inpatient, outpatient, virtual and home health settings.

“Today is an opportunity to recognize and celebrate our caregivers who are providing an exceptional experience as told to us by the patients they cared for,” said Janice Nevin, M.D., MPH, president and CEO of ChristianaCare. “They provide care with love and excellence and by embodying our ChristianaCare values and behaviors.

“We have such a great representation of caregiver roles, campuses and care settings among our winners. It just goes to show how everyone who interacts with our patients affects their experience.”

Honorees cardiac sonographer Amber Yoder (left) and clerk Marjorie Robinson (right) celebrate with Joan Pirrung, interim president of Cecil County campus.

Recipients of The Way We Care awards were selected based on patient experience survey responses after their hospital stays or outpatient visits.

These results help ChristianaCare better understand patient experience by recognizing where caregivers are exceeding, ensuring health care expectations are met and identifying areas of improvement, said Wren Lester, Ph.D., CPXP, CPHQ, LSSBB, chief experience officer at ChristianaCare.

“Our goal is to improve patient experience on all our campuses and in all care settings,” Lester said. “We’re so happy to be able to honor these outstanding award recipients and continue the work to improve our relationships with patients.”

Patient care technicians Ronald Hocker and Vanessa White serve together in Wilmington Hospital’s Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU).

The Way We Care Award winners by category

Click here for The Way We Care Awards celebration photo gallery.

Values and Behaviors

From left: Chief Operating Officer Ric Cuming and Chief Nurse Executive Danielle Weber with honorees Jaclyn Barton, Brandon Duckworth, Ronald Hocker, David Hanaway, Amber Yoder, alongside President and CEO Janice Nevin and Neil Jasani.

These caregivers were recognized for helping with kindness and generosity, showing respect, listening actively and demonstrating empathy.

Jaclyn Barton, nurse practitioner, Wilmington Adult Medicine

Beverly Boladas, physical therapist, HomeHealth

Miranda DiOrrio, polysomnographic technologist, Sleep Center

Brandon Duckworth, MRI technologist, Outpatient Imaging

David Hanaway, physician, Outpatient Behavioral Health

Ronald Hocker, patient care technician, Wilmington PACU

Hailey Hovatter, registered nurse, Union Hospital Emergency Department

Amber Yoder, cardiac sonographer, Union Hospital

Doctor Communication

From left: Ric Cuming, System Chief Medical Officer and President of the Medical Group Kert Anzilotti, and Danielle Weber with honorees Alison Potter, Devanshu Verma and Robin Horn, alongside Janice Nevin and Neil Jasani.

These providers were recognized for explaining things in a way patients can understand, listening carefully, and demonstrating courtesy and respect.

Robin Horn, physician, Cardiology Consultants

Julia Mattson, physician, OB Triage

Sirin Pandey, physician, Endocrinology Specialists

Carly Porter, physician assistant, Wilmington Emergency Department

Alison Potter, physician, Center for Virtual Health

Jason Silversteen, physician, Neurology Specialists

Devanshu Verma, physician, Rheumatology Specialists

Nurse Communication

From left: Ric Cuming, Kert Anzilotti and Danielle Weber with honorees Ciera Tweed, Sara Yasik, Elena Gomez, Brittany Redman and Victoria Varga, alongside Janice Nevin and Neil Jasani.

These caregivers were recognized for explaining things in a way patients can understand, listening carefully, and demonstrating courtesy and respect.

Elena Gomez, nurse, HomeHealth

Alice Hammer, case manager, Utilization Management/formerly at Middletown Emergency Department

Megan Kelty, nurse, Union Hospital Emergency Department

Brittany Redman, nurse, Christiana Hospital C4B

Ciera Tweed, nurse, W7S/Advanced Center for Joint Replacement

Victoria Varga, nurse practitioner, Primary Care at Linden Hill

Sara Yasik, nurse, Gynecologic Oncology Surgery at Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute

Responsiveness of Hospital Staff

Neil Jasani and Wren Lester present respiratory therapist Carol Dambman of the Wilmington Pulmonary Function Lab with her award.

These caregivers were recognized for providing help as soon as it was requested and anticipating and assisting with patient needs.

Carol Dambman, respiratory therapist, Wilmington Pulmonary Function Lab

Brenda Francisco, nurse, Pediatric Care Center

Hunter Tarburton, physician assistant, Emergency Medicine

Kimberly Zirpolo, patient care technician, Christiana Hospital C4B

Worked Together to Meet Needs

ChristianaCare leaders congratulate (from left): Vanessa White, Elizabeth James, Shenell Johnson, Faye Redden, Nancy Chapman, Amy McMillan, Will McNally, Marjorie Robinson, Gordon Reed, Stephen Rombach and Nicole Keeports.

These caregivers were recognized for demonstrating teamwork and communication with other caregivers and positively contributing as a member of the care team.

Elizabeth James, service assistant, Food Services, Wilmington Hospital

Shenell Johnson, service assistant, Environmental Services, W7S/Advanced Center for Joint Replacement

Faye Redden, service assistant, Environmental Services, W7S/Advanced Center for Joint Replacement

Nicole Keeports, nurse, Newark PACU

Amy McMillan, nurse practitioner, Primary Care at Perryville

Nancy Chapman, medical assistant, Primary Care at Perryville

Will McNally, nurse, Surgicenter

Gordon Reed, physician, Emergency Medicine

Marjorie Robinson, clerk, Union Hospital

Stephen Rombach, physical therapist, Rehabilitation Services at Brandywine

Vanessa White, patient care technician, Wilmington PACU