One Wednesday, May 5, 2021, Hudson Valley’s 2021 Excellence in Nursing Awards honored the area’s top nurses nominated by their superiors while highlighting a special Top 20 Nurses chosen by a distinguished panel of judges. We are also proud to award a scholarship to local High School Senior, Samantha Merced, on her quest to become a nurse. Congratulations all of this year’s honorees!
Visit the 2021 Virtual Sponsor Booths on the “Sponsors” tab.
Hudson Valley’s 2022 Excellence in Nursing Awards
Save The Date!
May 4, 2022
The Grandview
Poughkeepsie, NY
Check back later in the year for 2022 nomination details.
Since 1972, Hudson Valley Magazine has been the authority on the people, places and activities that define the beautiful and ever-evolving Hudson Valley region. A division of Today Media, Hudson Valley also publishes Westchester/Hudson Valley Weddings, Focus on Albany, and the Casino Guide; features a vibrant website, hvmag.com; produces a weekly e-newsletter called Hudson Valley Today; and hosts several signature events, including the Best of Hudson Valley® Party, Burger & Beer Bash, and the Women in Business Awards.
Hudson Valley Magazine is an award-winning monthly regional publication whose mission is to produce a high quality magazine that informs, entertains, and investigates life in the vibrant community it serves.
Nominations for the 2021 Excellence in Nursing Awards are CLOSED.
Check back here later in the year for details on 2022 nominations.
For more information visit www.hvmag.com/nursing.
For sponsorship opportunities email sales@hvmag.com.
For questions or general event information, email pr@hvmag.com.
Hudson Valley Magazine has proudly been honoring nurses for more than a decade. Never have nurses been more essential and appreciated than now in their unexpected new roles on the front line.
Join Us in Congratulating our 2021 Excellence in Nursing honorees.
Our Top 20 Nurses
Blessy Benjamin-Mammem, RN
NewYork-Presbyterian
Hudson Valley Hospital
Deborah Berrios, LPN
CareMount Medical
Meghan Betanzos, RN
Cornerstone Family Healthcare
Mara Canlas
Hudson Valley Hospice
Jean Casadone, RN
Putnam Hospital–Nuvance Health
Ella Chasse
Putnam Hospital–Nuvance Health
Sue Curry, RN, MSN, APRC,
ACNS-BC, RN-BC, AE-C
Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall
Lynette DeBellis, BSN
MidHudson Regional Hospital of
Westchester Medical Center
Dawn Filippone, RN, CCRN
St. John’s Riverside Hospital
Karley Flinn, RN, OCN
Northern Dutchess Hospital–Nuvance Health
Jennifer Hamm, RN
Northern Dutchess Hospital–Nuvance Health
Tami Harrah, ADN, BSN
Trinity-Pawling School Health Center
Monica Houshower RN, BSN
PAZ Management
Jerelyn Osoria Julian, MSN, RN, OCN
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center-Westchester
Erica Knapp, RN, BSN, TNCC,
ACLS, BLS, PALS, CEN
Vassar Brother Medical Center–Nuvance Health
Matt Lazarski, ICU, CCU, RN
Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall
Barbara Marshall, RN
The Pines at Poughkeepsie
Center for Nursing & Rehabilitation
Melissa Morales, ICU, RN, BSN
Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall
Cheryl Rifenburgh, LPN
ArchCare at Ferncliff Nursing Home
Gina Williamson, BSN, RN
Anderson Center for Autism
2021 Class of Nurses
Debbie Amico, RN, CCRN, ACLS, PALS, BLS
Vassar Brothers Medical Center-Nuvance Health
Mary Arnold, RN,CHPLN
Hudson Valley Hospice
Nikia Blauvelt, RN, BSN
Vassar Brothers Medical Center-Nuvance Health
Erica Bradley, RN
Hudson Valley Hospice
Rebecca Butler, LPN
Hudson Valley Hospice
Danica Deldin
Hudson Valley Hospice
Tara Doran
ENT & Allergy Associates
Jolene Gaer, RN, CHPN
Hudson Valley Hospice
Michele Hoopnarine, LPN
Westmed Medical Group
Ricardo King, LP
Hudson Valley Hospice
Courtney Kurkela, LPN
Premier Medical Group
Kevin Levack, RN, BSN, CHPN, WCC
Hudson Valley Hospice
Kathleen Lowing, RN
Hudson Valley Hospice
Jennifer Minklker, BSN
Hudson Valley Hospice
Innoh Ngbodi, RN
Vassar Brothers Medical Center-Nuvance Health
Matilda Osei-Afriyie, LPN
Westmed Medical Group
Courtney Powell
Hudson Valley Hospice
Thomas Schwarz, RN, CHPN
Hudson Valley Hospice
Danielle Scofield, LNP, CHLPN, WCC
Hudson Valley Hospice
Hope Streeter, LPN, CHLPN
Hudson Valley Hospice
Joel Strock, RN, CHLPN
Hudson Valley Hospice
Coreena Valentino, LNP
Premier Medical Group
Michael Williams, LNP
Hudson Valley Hospice
Past Honorees
2020
Matthew Agazzi-Cowton, RN, LPN
Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall
Vana Cabibbo, BSN, RN, OCN, ONS-ONCC
WESTMED Medical Group
H. Janelle Carr, DNP
Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall
Debbie Chakansky, RN
New York-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital
Patrica Churna, BSN, RN
MidHudson Regional Hospital
Kim Connelly, RN, BSN, MSN
St. Anthony Community Hospital
Donna Engle, RN, BSN, CHPN
Hudson Valley Hospice
Nancy Fox, MS, RN, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, CNML
Phelps Hospital Northwell Health
Kim Jablonski, MSN, CMRSN
Garnet Health Medical Center
Eileen Karle, LPN, CHLPN, BS
Hudson Valley Hospice
Roberta Keogan, RN, RNC-OB
CareMount Medical
Lori Lang, BSN, RN, OCN
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Paula Nigri, LPN
CareMount Medical
Tafford Oltz, RN, TCRN, CFRN, CCRN
MidHudson Regional Hospital
Stephanie Paruolo, MSN, RN
Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall
Andres Salcedo, RN, BSN
White Plains Hospital
Karen Schaffer, RN-BC
Good Samaritan Hospital
Susan Siew, RN
WMC Health Alliance
Marissa Tamburi, RN, MSN, MED
Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at WMC
Kayla Valentine, RN
WMC HealthAlliance: Broadway Campus
2020 Class of Nurses
Sunshine Abel, LPN
WESTMED Medical Group
Miriam Arroon BSN, MSN
The Lutheran Care Center
Matthew Agazzi-Cowton, RN, LPN
Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall
Courtney Brenner, LPN
The Thompson House (Nuvance Health)
Ashonte Brown, LPN
Golden Hill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
Sharol Burney, BSN, RN
Westchester Medical Center
Rebecca Butler, LPN
Hudson Valley Hospice
Vana Cabibbo, BSN, RN, OCN, ONS-ONCC
WESTMED Medical Group
Eileen Capulli, LPN
Premier Medical Group of The Hudson Valley
H. Janelle Carr, DNP
Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall
Evelyn Caska, BSN, RN, AHNCC
The Center for Discovery
Debbie Chakansky, RN
New York- Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital
Renoka Chandra, LPN
WESTMED Medical Group
Patrica Churna, BSN, RN
MidHudson Regional Hospital
Annie Collabatista, BSN, RNC-MNN
White Plains Hospital
Jeannette Colon, BSN, RN
Westchester Medical Center
Weny Comier, LPN
Middletown Medical PC
Kim Connelly, RN, BSN, MSN
St. Anthony Community Hospital
Aimee Croce, BSN, RN
Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall
Katie Dingersen, BSN, RN-BC
White Plains Hospital
Zephyr Dresser-Peck, RN
WMC HealthAlliance: Broadway Campus
Kathleen Dwy, BSN, MPH, RN
Westchester Medical Center
Stacey Edwards, LPN
CareMount Medical
Donna Engle, RN, BSN, CHPN
Hudson Valley Hospice
Merritt Featherston, RN, ACLS, BLS
Vassar Brothers Medical Center (Nuvance Health)
Diana Fernandez, RN
Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall
Aviva Fisher, BSN, MS, CADC, RN-BCLPN
NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester Behavioral Health Center
Michele Flores, LPN
Golden Hill Nursing & Rehabilitation Center
Nancy Fox, MS, RN, NPD-BC, NEA-BC, CNML
Phelps Hospital Northwell Health
Shirley Gill, RN, BA
The Pines at Poughkeepsie Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation
Amanda Graner, RN
Mid Hudson Regional Hospital
Nora Higgins, BSN, CMSRN
Garnet Health Medical Center
Frances Hogan, RN, AS
The Brookmeade Community
Kim Jablonski, MSN, CMRSN
Garnet Health Medical Center
Kathleen (Kathy) Johnson, RN, CHPN
Hudson Valley Hospice
Eileen Karle, LPN, CHLPN, BS
Hudson Valley Hospice
Roberta Keogan, RN, RNC-OB
CareMount Medical
Lori Lang, BSN, RN, OCN
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Patty LaRose, RN, BSN, CHPN
Hudson Valley Hospice
Cynthia Marsilio, RN, MSN, APN
Bon Secours Community Hospital
Danille Mayo-Fucile, BSN, RN
NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital
Kathleen McKenzie, BSN, RN
Putnam Hospital Center (Nuvance Health)
Maria Menjivar, ASN
The Surgery Center at Orthopedic Associates
Gretchen Montazella, RN, BSN
Putnam Hospital Center (Nuvance Health)
Carrie Mosley, BSN
Woodland Pond
Alyssa Mouro, BSN
NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital
Emily Muzyka, RN, BSN, RN-BC
NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital
Innoh Ngbodi, BSN, RN-BC
Vassar Brothers Medical Center (Nuvance Health)
Ivelyn Nichols,BSN, RN
Westchester Medical Center
Paula Nigri, LPN
CareMount Medical
Tafford Oltz, RN, TCRN, CFRN, CCRN
MidHudson Regional Hospital
Megan Osofsky, RN, BSN,CHPN
Hudson Valley Hospice
Anna Panek, BSN, RN, CLC
Westchester Medical Center
Stephanie Paruolo, MSN, RN
Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall
Barbara Reynolds, MSN, MA, RN-BC
NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital
Isabella Robisheaux, RN, ASN
CareMount Medical
Jennifer Ross, BSN, RN
Vassar Brothers Medical Center (Nuvance Health)
Gigi Roy, BSN, MPH, RN
Westchester Medical Center
Jennifer Rubeo, RN
Premier Medical Group of The Hudson Valley
Sarah Ruggiero, BSN, CRNI, VA-BC
Garnet Health Medical Center
Jamie Rusek, RN, BSN, CHPN
Hudson Valley Hospice
Andres Salcedo, RN, BSN
White Plains Hospital
Catherine Sanabria, BSN
White Plains Hospital
Jackie Savino, RN
Hudson Valley Hospice
Dana Sceppaquercia, BSN, RN
White Plains Hospital
Karen Schaffer, RN-BC
Good Samaritan Hospital
Althea Scott Bonaparte, BSN
NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital
Susan Siew, RN
WMC Health Alliance
Margaret Speedling, RN
Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall
Marissa Tamburi, RN, MSN, MED
Maria Fareri Children’s Hospital at WMC
Georgette Taylor, BSN
NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital
Sarah Thompson, AASN, RN
Cornerstone Family Healthcare
Michelle Tierney, RN
Putnam Hospital Center (Nuvance Health)
Kristine Turcy-Cahill, BSN, RN
Northern Dutchess Hospital (Nuvance Health)
Kayla Valentine, RN
WMC HealthAlliance: Broadway Campus
Margaret Walotsky, RN
NewYork-Presbyterian Lawrence Hospital
Kim Walsh, RN
CareMount Medical
Donna Warfloor, ASNC, RN
Westchester Medical Center
Dorota Wasila, RN, LPN, AND
CareMount Medical
Vanessa Weber, LPN
Premier Medical Group of The Hudson Valley
Sophie Williams, RN, BSN
The Thompson House (Nuvance Health)
Join Hudson Valley Magazine and healthcare professionals from across the region in celebrating the area’s top nurses at the Virtual 2021 Excellence in Nursing Awards. The May 2021 issue of Hudson Valley Magazine will list all of this year’s nominated nurses along with a special write-up on our top 20 nurses, based on specific criteria and judged by the magazine’s editors and medical professionals.
Sponsors will align themselves with high-level decision makers in the healthcare industry including hospitals, private practices, hospices, pediatric facilities, schools, research and educational institutions, as we celebrate nurses in the Hudson Valley.
2021 Excellence in Nursing Virtual Sponsor Booths
SILVER SPONSOR
Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall is a not-for-profit hospital dedicated to serving the health care needs of those in the Hudson Valley. In January 2002, St. Luke’s Hospital and The Cornwall Hospital merged to create an integrated health care delivery system, providing quality comprehensive health care services.
BRONZE SPONSOR
CareMount Medical, P.C. is New York State’s premier multispecialty medical group, providing comprehensive care of the highest quality to over 665,000 patients. CareMount has more than 45 locations throughout Westchester, Putnam, Dutchess, Columbia, and Ulster counties and New York City.
Hudson Valley Hospice is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to help you and your loved ones when you are faced with an end-of-life situation. Our specially trained staff provides skilled, compassionate care, comfort, support, time to reflect and hope at a vital time in life’s journey.
At the Mount, our core belief is: service matters. By lifting others up, Mount students spark greatness in themselves. Our highly respected School of Nursing instills the practical skills and values that turn caregivers into heroes. By challenging and inspiring students, we craft them into determined, hard-working, and compassionate nurses.
Visit Us at www.msmc.edu
Located in Cortlandt Manor, NewYork-Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital, serves residents throughout Westchester, Putnam and lower Dutchess counties. It is part of NewYork-Presbyterian’s healthcare system, which offers seamless access to leading experts from ColumbiaDoctors, the faculty practice of Columbia University Irving Medical Center. NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital is ranked No. 4 in the nation and No. 1 in New York by U.S. News and World Report.
GIFT BAG SPONSOR
Visit Us at https://pazmgmt.com/
Premier Medical Group provides patients with in-depth and compassionate care to treat the whole you in the fields of urology, gastroenterology, cardiology, rheumatology, neurology, podiatry, dermatology, gynecology, pediatrics, and internal medicine including pulmonology, endocrinology, nephrology, and family practice.
Visit Us at https://pinesatpoughkeepsie.com