Celebrating Caregivers Who Help With Heart

“Kind.” “Outstanding.” “Knowledgeable.” “Amazing.”

For providing experiences that drew such high praise from patients and their loved ones, 58 caregivers received recognition at The Way We Care Awards on April 15.

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

“Today is a celebration of you,” said Jennifer Czerwinski, interim chief experience officer. “The Way We Care is about more than doing a job. It’s being heartfelt through small moments and meaningful acts that mean the most – treating others the way you would want to be treated. Thank you for that.”

Recipients of The Way We Care awards were selected based on patient experience survey responses and patient letters 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, Czerwinski said.

The Way We Care Award winners by category

Click here for the photo gallery from The Way We Care Awards.

Values and Behaviors

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

Nichelle Belton, Nurse, HomeHealth-Camden

Michele Brown, Phlebotomist, Concord Health Center

Donna Draper, Radiologic Technologist, Smyrna Health & Wellness Center

Katie Gottstein, Physical Therapist, HomeHealth-Smyrna

John Kime, Nurse, W3M

Michael Latsch, Physical Therapist, HomeHealth HCC

Joy May, Respiratory Therapist, Pulmonary Function Lab

Morgan Roberts, Nurse, MOU-Christiana

Phillip Scott, Nurse, W6S and WICU

Jalisa Simpson, Nurse, Postpartum

Doctor Communication

These caregivers were recognized for explaining things in a way patients can understand, listening carefully, and demonstrating courtesy and respect. The category includes physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.

Jessica Bradley, M.D., Physician, Neurology Specialists

Matthew Burday, D.O., Physician, Hospital Medicine/Internal Medicine

Blake Griffitts, Physician Assistant, Christiana Hospital Emergency Department

Gregory Halla, Physician Assistant, Emergency Medicine

Neelambari Kerkar, M.D., Hospitalist, CCHP Physician 1 Group

Michelle Kelly, Chief Advanced Practice Clinician, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute

Erik Marshall, M.D., Physician, Cardiology at Elkton

Carlos Reyes, M.D., Physician, Primary Care at Kirkwood

Jessica Tansey, Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care at MAP2

Janice Tildon-Burton, M.D., Physician, Women’s Health at MAP2

Jeffry Zern, M.D., Physician, Surgical Services, Wilmington

Cheng Zhou, M.D., Physician, Critical Care/Pulmonary, Union Hospital

Nurse Communication

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

Robin Brayerton, Nurse, Postpartum

Brianna Castagna, Nurse, C6A

Jordan Chesley, Nurse, C5E

Tiffany Douglas, Nurse, W7S

Michele Evans, Nurse, HomeHealth-New Castle

Christopher Horne, Nurse, Middletown Emergency Department

Jessica Kaufmann, Nurse, W4W

Madison Reese, Nurse Midwife, Women’s Health Elkton

Responsiveness of Hospital Staff

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

Abdul Bangura, Patient Care Technician, HVIS Prep and Holding

Augustin Dauphin, Nurse, W5W

Gabrielle DeVeglio, Nurse, Neuro Critical Care Group

Diamond DuPree, Patient Care Technician, W6W

John Savage, Emergency Care Technician, Middletown Emergency Department

Azalia Schultheis, Nurse, C7E

Jenna Tigue, Nurse, Family Birth Center, Union Hospital

Worked Together to Meet Needs

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

Lauren Absher, Patient Care Technician, Union Hospital

Taylor Cave, Nurse, Christiana Hospital Emergency Department

John Cheng, M.D., and Roger Liu, D.O., Physicians, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

Rachael Cortese, Nurse; Mariah Reinmiller, Nurse; Kayla Brown-Nance, Patient Care Technician; Douglas Rowe, Patient Escort, Wilmington Hospital

Margaret DeMaris and Lesa Anderson, Medical Assistants, Cardiology Consultants at Woodstown

Alison Neidlein, Nurse; Rick Zock, Physical Therapist; Heather Moser, Physical Therapy Assistant; Kate Sisler, Occupational Therapist, HomeHealth

Malyne Saint Pierre, Food Service Assistant, Christiana Hospital

THE WAY Service Standards

These caregivers were recognized for exemplifying ChristianaCare’s Service Standards, supporting an excellent patient experience and reflecting our mission, values and behaviors.

Kevin Canady, Nurse, Cardiology Short Stay Unit, Christiana Hospital

Brandi Johnson, Physical Therapist, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute

Kellie Kessler, Nurse Manager, Cardiology Short Stay Unit, Christiana Hospital

Vera Naumova, Radiologic Technologist, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute

Kevin Scheler, Physical Therapist, HomeHealth-NewCastle

Rebecca Wooters, Access Coordinator, Smyrna Health & Wellness Center