Heritage Valley Health System announces the 2017 Cameos of Caring Awardees as Tia Boyd, RN, Medical Surgical – Orthopedics Unit at Heritage Valley Beaver, Ann Sarachine, RN, Critical Care Unit at Heritage Valley Sewickley. Additionally, Shari Fritz, BSN, Case Management for Heritage Valley Beaver is honored in the Case Manager category.
The Cameos of Caring Award honors exceptional bedside nurses who work in acute care hospitals. Recipients must demonstrate a commitment to consistent, evidenced-based clinical decision-making and excellence in nursing care; serve as an effective advocate for patients and their families; encourage and motivate others, and be recognized as a role model for the profession of nursing; practice nursing involving direct patient care; be a licensed RN and be a direct employee of the hospital.
Tia Boyd, RN has an associate degree in Nursing from Kent State University in 2011 and is a registered nurse on Level 1 Medical / Surgical – Orthopedics Unit at Heritage Valley Beaver. The most satisfying part of Tia’s nursing career is the ability to make a difficult situation a little better for patients and families by teaching, showing compassion and listening. Tia loves the science aspect of nursing and the opportunities for learning with endless possibilities for change and growth. She explains, “As nurses, we get to witness and participate in some amazing experiences. Ideas and concepts are continuously being developed – many times by our own peers. In no other career can you make such a difference in what may be someone’s most difficult time.”
Ann Sarachine, RN, graduated from the Sewickley Valley Hospital School of Nursing and has been practicing nursing for 39 years at Heritage Valley Sewickley. Ann’s mother encouraged her to become a nurse. “I like to think she saw traits of caring and compassion in me. It has been my destiny to care for others, help others and be an advocate for my patients,” Sarachine said. The many years of nursing practice have been ongoing education for Ann. Ann is a true advocate for the profession of bedside nursing. With her nearly four decades of experience, she has been able to pass on knowledge of the daily necessities of “hands-on” care to many other nurses. “We still need the bedside nurses to be there as an advocate for the patient and their families,” Sarachine said. “I encourage bedside nurses to remember how our patients and families need us.”
Shari Fritz, BSN, received her associate degree in nursing in 2001 and went on to Penn State University where she earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 2011. Shari’s collaborative and communicative approach is well respected by all those working with her, as evidenced by the nine co-workers that nominated her for the 2017 Cameo of Caring Case Manager Award. Shari believes that it takes everyone on the interdisciplinary team working together to achieve the best outcomes. With Shari, “the patients and families needs are always first,” one of the nomination letters read. “Her clinical knowledge and assertiveness to work closely with staff RNs and physicians has resulted in life-saving measures for the patents.”
“Heritage Valley is fortunate to have highly skilled and dedicated nurses at all of our locations,” said Linda Homyk, MSN, RN, vice president and chief nursing officer, patient care services at Heritage Valley Health System. “Tia, Ann and Shari are excellent nurses who are committed to patient care and promoting the nursing profession. We’re proud to have them as Cameos of Caring awardees this year.”
Tia, Ann and Shari will be honored at the 19th Annual Cameos of Caring Awards Gala on Saturday, November 4, 2017 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
About Heritage Valley Health System
Heritage Valley Health System is a $480 million integrated delivery network providing comprehensive health care for residents of Allegheny, Beaver, Butler and Lawrence counties, in Pennsylvania; eastern Ohio; and the panhandle of West Virginia. In partnership with 3,500 employees and more than 480 physicians, Heritage Valley offers a broad range of medical, surgical and diagnostic services at its two hospitals, Heritage Valley Sewickley and Heritage Valley Beaver; in 60 physician offices; and 18 community satellite facilities. For more information about Heritage Valley Health System, please visit www.heritagevalley.org.