West Newton nurse receives Cameos of Caring Award
Mary Lou Murt, senior vice president of nursing, right, last week presented the 2015 Cameos of Caring Award to Crystal Harvey, a registered nurse on the behavioral health unit at Monongahela Valley Hospital, during a Nurses Appreciation Day Breakfast.
Monongahela Valley Hospital president and CEO Louis J. Panza Jr. examines the Intensive Care Unit quilt square that incorporated colorful medicine bottle caps. Each nursing department created a square, and the squares were then assembled and quilted by Critical Care Unit clerk Jackie Ingram.
MONONGAHELA – Crystal Harvey of West Newton received the 2015 Cameos of Caring Award during a Nurse Appreciation Day Breakfast last week at Monongahela Valley Hospital in recognition of National Nurses Week.
Cameos of Caring Awards are presented annually by the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Nursing to honor exceptional bedside nurses who work in acute-care hospitals. Nurses throughout Western Pennsylvania nominate their co-workers who demonstrate excellence in nursing care, serve as advocates for patients and families and embody the essence of the nursing profession.
Harvey is a registered nurse on the behavioral health unit.
In nominating his colleague, registered nurse John Hartman wrote, “Crystal is a model nurse who has a keen eye and a strong sense of responsibility. As a patient advocate, she will encourage a family meeting during treatment and is excellent at providing support and education to our families.”
Hartman said Harvey receives many phone calls from former patients and their families to thank her for her patience and understanding.
“She is cool and collected in the face of any crisis situations, and is able to diffuse situations in a quick and concise manner,” he said. “As a co-worker, when you are having a good day, she will always encourage you.
“Likewise, if you are having a problem, she is always there to provide support and assistance. Not only is she a preceptor and an educator to all of us, she does it all with a smile. When we work with Crystal, we know that it will be a great day because she makes us laugh and be happy.”
Harvey, who has worked at MVH for more than 25 years, will be recognized with the Cameos of Caring winners from other hospitals throughout the region during a dinner in the fall.
Fourteen other MVH nurses were nominated for the award, including
• Sheila Amati, Emergency Department;
• Dyann Bury, SameDay Surgery;
• Yvonne Daniels, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit;
• Holly Giordano, 6-E;
• Julie Henry, operating room;
• Keisha Jones, Mon-Vale Oncology Department;
• Wendy Kraemer, 7-East;
• Stephanie Obusek, Coronary Care Unit;
• Jamie Simon, 5-West ;
• Angela Smida, 6-West;
• Kristen Walters, 5-East Orthopedic Institute;
• Jeanette Weeks, 7-West;
• Margaret Wheeler, 4-Progressive Care Unit;
• Laura Young, Intensive Care Unit.
On display at the event was a hand-crafted MVH quilt. Each nursing department created a square, and the squares were then assembled and quilted by Critical Care Unit clerk Jackie Ingram. The quilt will be on display in the hospital lobby.
President and CEO Louis J. Panza said the quilt is the perfect metaphor for how well the nurses in all the departments work together to provide patients with the best care possible.
“You are absolutely amazing together,” he said.