Hospital for Special Surgery

April 1 marked the 100th anniversary of HSS Rehabilitation & Performance! The 1924 Annual Report made first mention of the department, back when the hospital was known as the New York Society for the Relief of the Ruptured and Crippled, and PT was referred to as “physiotherapy.” The head physician of the department, Kristian G. Hansson, M.D., spoke about the advantages of physical therapy as a compliment to orthopedic surgery in his report. He also highlighted the early educational initiatives of HSS as the department taught a course on physiotherapy to seniors at Cornell University Medical College. At the end of his report, Dr. Hansson wrote, “The Hospital for Ruptured and Crippled has long been one of the leading orthopedic hospitals in the country and there is no reason why its physiotherapy department should not serve as a model of its kind for other institutions in the future.” 100 years later, we are still working to prove Dr. Hansson right! Congratulations the HSS Rehabilitation & Performance department and to all the staff that have helped us achieve this milestone!

Pa Thor, Research Manager, Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care, & Pain Management: “Nyob zoo! My name is Pa Thor, and I am a first-generation Hmong American woman. I've been at HSS for three years, and my current position is Research Manager in the Department of Anesthesiology, Critical Care & Pain Management. Every day, I embrace my heritage by doing small things like preparing Hmong food, even if my cooking never compares to my mother's. I speak in my native language at home, even to my dog, who appears to understand some of what I say. I also do simple things like wear traditional clothes and wear the protective amulets that my parents gave me. Because of my last name and the amulets I wear, I regularly get asked ‘Where are you from?’ and the conversations that follow this question are never dull. Embracing one’s heritage does not have to be complex. These everyday actions, though habitual and discreet, have always kept me connected with my heritage and simply be myself wherever I am. My Hmong heritage means that I have a family and community that uplifts me, is proud of me, and provides me with unconditional support. My heritage is my identity, my values, and the motivation behind my pursuits to demonstrate that I identify as AAPI, and I am proud to be Hmong American. I cherish the cultural traditions and history that have been taught to me, and I am privileged for the opportunity to contribute to our Hmong American history and collective experience. Being a member of the HSS family means being part of another heritage; a different heritage where I can pass on the HSS values, philosophy, and reputation. When I reflect on the progress that has been made at HSS and its strategic roadmap for the future, this reflection is akin to my reflection about the remarkable achievements made by my Hmong American community and envisioning the type of roadmap I want for my community. Witnessing and celebrating the achievements of my colleagues at HSS lets me know that I am where I need to be, and I feel motivated to strive to achieve more.” #AAPIHeritageMonth

Congratulations to our outstanding nurses who were honored at this year’s Department of Nursing Excellence Awards in celebration of National #NursesWeek! In line with this year’s theme, “#NursesMakeTheDifference,” these incredible nurses embody the spirit of compassion and care in every healthcare setting.   Please join us in celebrating this year’s honorees:   Nursing Excellence Award – Advanced Practice - Eileen Cottell MSN, APRN, FNP-BC; NP; ACC 72nd St Nurse Leader Award - Nefer Chakrabarty, BSN, RN; ACC 72nd St Nurse Preceptor Award – Melissa Cheng, BSN, RN, ONC; CNII; 1st Floor PACU; Kinga Skrzat, BSN, RN; CN1; 5E South; Mahelia Campbell, BSN, RN; CN1; 4th Floor OR LPN Nursing Excellence Award: Samantha Goriah, LPN; Ambulatory Services ERPB-Clinical Support RN Nursing Excellence Award - Thamar Prendergast, MSN, RN; CNI; 6th Floor Inpatient; Yangchen Tshering, MSN, RN; CN1; 1st Floor OR; Iris Robles, BSN, RN; CN1; ACC 72nd St Nursing Support Partner Award - Maria Techera, PCA; ACC 72nd St Clinic; Albert Zamayla, PCA; 6th Floor Inpatient (not pictured); Vincent Bongiorno, ST II; 4th Floor OR Rising Star Award - Dominique Bien-Aime, BSN, RN; CNI; 5E South (not pictured) Friend of Nursing Award- Jerome Smith, PT, DPT Team Award: HSS Stamford Outpatient Center 

Jillian Rose-Smith, PhD, MPH, LCSW, Vice President and Chief Health Equity Officer, was honored by United Hospital Fund of New York (UHF) along with 67 extraordinary leaders from 64 healthcare organizations across the metropolitan region for their tireless efforts to improve the quality, safety and equity of patient care at their institutions. UHF recognized Jillian for leading numerous efforts to advance health equity, including expanding the collection and reporting of data to access where disparities exist and how to address them and implementing a screening process for social needs, such as food insecurity and housing. Please join us on congratulating Jillian on this honor! https://lnkd.in/eq7y4BRn

Congratulations to Answorth A. Allen, MD, Associate Surgeon-in-Chief and Deputy Medical Director at HSS, who has been named among Becker's Hospital Review's Black healthcare leaders to know in 2024. The leaders recognized are shaping the patient experience, educating and training the next generation of healthcare providers, and furthering equity and inclusion. https://lnkd.in/gZVCxvef

National #HospitalWeek celebrates hospital workers for their contributions to support the health and well-being of their communities through dedication and care from the heart. Join us in recognizing members of the HSS family for their leadership and continuing dedication to making HSS the amazing place it is today.

Carol Crescenzo, BSN, RN, ONC, Patient Care Director, 4th Floor Holding: “My grandfather was very ill when I was a young child, and I did not realize what was happening. While sitting in the hospital with family I saw the nurses in their white uniforms, white shoes, and white caps. Their presence seemed to make everyone feel better, their kindness and warmth made a sad situation easier to handle. That is when I decided I wanted to be a nurse. I love the fact that I am helping patients in their hour of need both physically and emotionally. The HSS family means the world to me and have supported me through good times and bad times. I love and cherish the friends that I have made at HSS through the years. My career at HSS has been an amazing journey, which I know will be just as amazing in the years ahead. To all choosing a nursing career come into the world of nursing with an open mind and open heart, cherishing every moment. A nursing career is an exceptional one to pursue. You will never really truly understand how important you are the patients you are taking care of.” https://lnkd.in/ebbDyaYa #NursesWeek #NursesMakeTheDifference

Christina Benoit, MSN, FNP-BC, Nurse Practitioner, Post Discharge Coordination:   “I became a nurse because I care about people, I teach to show others how to care for people and I became a practitioner to show people how much I care. However, the true driving force of why I chose nursing came along with the birth of my daughter, Briana. I was a teen mom and very much afraid of the future. My dream was to be an actress, while my mom's was for me to be a nurse. During my pregnancy and postpartum period, I felt overwhelming support and compassion from the nursing staff and was convinced that these ladies had an amazing gift of selflessness. After her birth I returned to school, in which 9/11 occurred and I was yet again impressed by the impact of healthcare, so I decided to dig deeper. I got the opportunity to shadow a career during my senior Spring quarter in place of my regular High School curriculum, so I chose Nursing. I was embraced by the lovely staff on Mother-Baby Unit at New York Hospital of Queens (now NYP Queens) and I fell in love with nursing. I found the gift of selflessness in the nursery as I took to an HIV positive newborn with cocaine in her system that was ultimately abandoned by her family. Here I was 16 years old with a child of my own giving a little part of me to an innocent baby that I had no relation to but cared for as if she were my own. The staff was thoroughly impressed with my efforts and at the end of my time, the manager asked if I was sure I didn't want to be a nurse. I knew my answer by June 2002 and the rest is history. I love that nursing impacts and attracts all walks of life. The people you meet directly and indirectly. The fact that the little things that you deem insignificant can be everything to someone. As a nurse you can do all your expected tasks in that worklist or order set, but it’s the extra time and care that you provide to a patient that makes me love it. Nursing offers many beautiful memories that keep me coming back every time. Being a part of the HSS family is just that, family. I have been here for 14 years and still recall my orientation and the segment on the heart of excellence. HSS truly embodies the heart of excellence not only in the service they provide but how they take care of their employees. Being a part of HSS means I practice with my whole heart to make a change in someone's quality of life. That is my own personal mission, and I am happy to have found it here at HSS. I am truly doing my life's best work. Nursing has paved such an amazing journey for me and has been the gift that keeps on giving.” https://lnkd.in/ebbDyaYa #NursesWeek #NursesMakeTheDifference

Kaitlin Baker, MSN, CPN, Patient Care Director, 5th Floor Inpatient: “I wanted to work in a helping profession where I had the opportunity to make an impact in people’s lives, specifically in moments of difficulty and vulnerability. Being able to see the tangible difference that our knowledge and compassion as nurses makes in the outcomes of our patients is very fulfilling. I love building relationships with patients and their families, and I love educating parents on how to care for their child after surgery. Being a part of the HSS family feels special because of the reputation we have within our community of patients. Patients consistently give feedback that their experience throughout their entire hospital stay was positive, and that they can tell people like working here. I feel proud to work with colleagues that care so much about our patients, their experience, and their outcomes. What advice would I give those pursuing a career in nursing? Work in Peds! Even on our busiest or hardest days, we always find ways to laugh and play with our patients.” https://lnkd.in/ebbDyaYa #NursesWeek #NursesMakeTheDifference

Ashty Mohamed, BSN, RN, CN I, 4th Floor PACU: “At the age of 7 was when I knew I wanted to be a nurse. That was when I had my first interaction with a nurse. Although I cannot remember her name, I still remember her kindness and the way she cared for my entire family during a very hard time. I was supposed to be the big sister to a little baby girl but due to complications she passed away at 2 days old. It was the NICU and postpartum nurses who were there every step of the way and not only did they care for my mom, but they also thought of the 7-year-old girl who was also grieving. My mom was not their only patient. They went above and beyond to help us through the toughest time, this left a lifelong impact on me. I am forever grateful for their care and forever inspired to care for others the way they cared for us. I promised myself that I would be a nurse no matter what and make sure I do the same for others. Which is exactly what I love most about being a nurse. The everyday human interaction that can mean everything to someone. It is truly one of the most rewarding feelings. At HSS we get to improve patients' lives by helping them recover from surgery that will improve their mobility and change their lives for the better. To be a part of the best orthopedic hospital keeps you wanting to be your best. And to be a part of such an amazing team leaves me even more inspired. I started out as a nursing assistant in the pediatric unit and then joined the new grad resident program that led me to being a PACU nurse. I have been with HSS for 10 years now and it's not just a workplace, it's my second home which makes them my family. They have seen me grow, guided, and supported me all the way through nursing school and now motherhood. I would advise anyone pursuing nursing to always remember why you want to be a nurse and hold on to that reason. It will fuel you and keep you inspired. You will make it through all the hard exams and tons of studying. It will all be worth it when you finally get to be the nurse you dreamed of being and you will get to impact and inspire others." https://lnkd.in/ebbDyaYa #NursesWeek #NursesMakeTheDifference