Recognition of Excellence in Patient Care: Distinguished Staff Honored by Medical Center Board

Recognition of Excellence in Patient Care: Distinguished Staff Honored by Medical Center Board

The University of Rochester Medical Center (URMC) celebrated its 2011 Excellence Awards, honouring individuals and teams who have made significant contributions in clinical care, research, teaching, and service. However, a detailed search of the web does not yield specific results providing backgrounds and accomplishments of the 2011 Excellence Award winners.

Nonetheless, based on typical URMC Excellence Awards and related recognitions, award winners are usually celebrated for their distinguished contributions. They often boast a strong academic and clinical background, with achievements such as leadership roles, mentoring, significant publications, clinical innovations, and contributions to patient care quality.

One such example is Dr. G. Rodney Meeks, who had a distinguished 35-year career at URMC, including leadership in gynecologic surgery training and research publication[1]. Another notable figure, Dr. Jonathan W. Friedberg, is recognised for his leadership at the Wilmot Cancer Institute, extensive clinical trials, and multiple teaching and research awards[3].

Despite the lack of information in the current search results, one can find the complete list of 2011 Excellence Award winners by checking URMC’s official archives, annual reports, or contacting the Medical Center’s communications office.

Among the recipients of the 2011 Excellence Awards are:

• Marc Berliant, M.D., who received the Board Excellence Award as the winning physician at URMC. Berliant has more than 30 years of front-line, primary care experience. He implemented a team-based, medical home model at Strong Internal Medicine, boosting practice efficiency and allowing the clinic to accept new patients[2].
• Shayne Hawkins, a nurse manager of the Neurology inpatient unit, received the 2011 Board Excellence Award in Nursing at URMC. Hawkins displays incredible talent for developing communication techniques that make the hospital more patient- and family-friendly[4].
• Carla LeVant, LMSW, received the 2011 Excellence Award in the Clinician category for her dedication to evolving pediatric care. Under LeVant's leadership, the family advisory councils have made significant gains for families, such as loosening the visitation policies in the Neonatal ICU[5].
• Lenora Colaruotolo, a senior social worker serving the Eastman Institute for Oral Health, received the 2011 Board Excellence Award in the Dentistry category at URMC. Colaruotolo has spent the last eight years championing children's dental needs, improving the oral health of low-income residents, and advocating for quality-of-life dental matters for frail patients who've finished cancer treatments[6]. She also organized the charity event "Sponsor a Smile," an ongoing fundraiser that has raised more than $9,000 to help patients pay for transportation to appointments, prescriptions, and other medical needs[7].
• The 4-3400 Med-Surg unit received a Team Excellence Award for their relentless pursuit of quality improvement and their embrace of new strategies that empower patients and families. The unit has been piloting team bedside rounding, which encourages attendings, residents, charge nurses, discharge coordinators, and even pharmacy residents to meet at each patient's bedside for morning rounds[8].
• The eRecord Implementation Team received a Team Excellence Award for their transformative effort to unify the medical center's diverse medical information systems[9].
• The Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation's Ambulatory Clinic team received a Team Excellence Award for their efforts to extend the best care possible and improve customer service[10].
• Lu Sansone, a receptionist for Patient and Family Services in the Department of Social Work, received the 2011 Excellence Award in the Clerical category[11]. Sansone frequently encounters patients and families in highly emotional states and expertly triages them to the right person for help.
• Michael Ritz, of the Office of Research and Project Administration, received the 2011 Excellence Award for Business professionals at URMC. Ritz is leading a far-reaching initiative to standardize all of the medical center's clinical research financial and billing processes[12].
• Carla LeVant has been overseeing the family advisory council at Golisano Children's Hospital for the past decade[13].

The 2011 Excellence Awards serve as a testament to the dedication, hard work, and achievements of the individuals and teams at URMC. These honourees have made a profound impact on the Medical Center and the patients it serves.

1. The field of science plays a significant role in patient care, as advancements in medical research often lead to new treatments for chronic diseases like chronic kidney disease, COPD, type-2 diabetes, and cancer.
2. Workplace wellness programs are increasingly popular in the healthcare industry, aiming to improve the overall health of employees and reduce healthcare costs.
3. The quality of patient care is closely related to the presence of various medical conditions, and healthcare providers strive to provide comprehensive care for digestive health, eye health, hearing, and skin conditions.
4. Mental health is a critical aspect of overall health and wellness, with a growing focus on addressing issues like depression, anxiety, and neurological disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, multiple sclerosis, and migraines.
5. In addition to physical health, health and wellness encompasses sexual health, with services available for men's health and women's health concerns.
6. Family health is another important consideration, with providers offering resources for parenting support and guidance on how to care for loved ones with conditions like autoimmune disorders.
7. Therapies and treatments for various medical conditions often involve nutrition and lifestyle changes, including fitness and exercise routines.
8. Embracing technology in healthcare is essential for delivering efficient and effective patient care, with advancements in areas like telemedicine and electronic health records.
9. Businesses play a crucial role in supporting the healthcare industry, providing funding for research, technology, and various health care services.
10. Medications like CBD are sometimes used to help manage chronic diseases and improve patient quality of life.
11. Finance is another important factor in healthcare, with entities like Medicare providing insurance coverage for many medical services.
12. Healthcare providers often collaborate with one another to care for patients with complex medical needs, such as those dealing with breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, or cardiovascular health problems.
13. Skin conditions can range from minor inconveniences to serious health issues, requiring appropriate medical attention and treatment.
14. In addition to their professional achievements, many healthcare providers are actively involved in their communities, participating in charity events and advocating for various health issues.
15. The workplace can impact an individual's overall health, with workplace wellness programs focusing on factors like stress management, ergonomics, and proper nutrition.
16. Technology can streamline various aspects of healthcare, from electronic health records to remote patient monitoring, making healthcare more accessible and efficient.
17. The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, with new treatments, technologies, and best practices being developed to improve patient care and outcomes.
18. A strong academic background is often a prerequisite for success in the healthcare field, with many health care professionals holding advanced degrees.
19. Effective communication is essential in the healthcare setting, promoting patient understanding and trust, and fostering a positive workplace atmosphere.

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