Saint Francis Nurses Presented with Awards at Annual Nurses Week Ceremony

Kathryn M. Mullane Award Winners (L to R) Gina Reale, BSN, RN; Melissa Mulvey, MSN, RN-BC; and Marijune Card, RN.

The Kathryn M. Mullane Awards are made possible by the contributions of the Mullane Family, who value the nursing profession and the outstanding care nurses provide for their patients. The awards are made in honor and memory of Kathryn M. Mullane. Recipients can be nominated by any member of the Saint Francis staff, physicians, patients, family, or friends of patients. Candidates for the Kathryn M. Mullane Award exemplify compassion, sharing, communication, and collaboration, and go above and beyond to appropriately meet the needs of the patient and their family and friends.

Marijune Card, RN, is a nurse in the float pool, and was nominated by Christine Cook, RN, a colleague in the cardiac ICU. In her nomination, it was noted that Marijune goes above and beyond not just for her patients, but her colleagues as well. “Her knowledge, patience, and perseverance around any stressful situation – she takes each on with calmness, professionalism, and upholds high standards and expertise. She sets an example of what a truly dedicated and compassionate nurse is,” Christine wrote. Christine also wrote that Marijune is well respected by her team inspiring them by always going above her call of duty. “Thank you for always sharing your knowledge and pushing me to be a better nurse,” said Christine. “You take such pride and value in your work and have the most caring, healing heart.”

Melissa Mulvey, MSN, RN-BC, is a Nursing Professional Development Specialist (NPDS), and was nominated by her NPDS team. Whether guiding new nurses through New Hire Skills Day, facilitating Vizient Nurse Residency and Operation: Excellence sessions, or leading code blue simulations and running Cardiac Rhythm Interpretation courses, Melissa continuously demonstrates her expert clinical knowledge. She helps to organize annual competencies, ensuring her colleagues are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge for success. Her willingness to think outside the box brings fresh perspectives to the team, enriching the collective work experience. Melissa’s nomination concluded by saying that she “is more than just a nurse educator; she is a beacon of inspiration, a mentor, and a friend. Thank you, Melissa, for your invaluable contributions to our department and the nursing profession.”

Kristen Nohelty, RN, serves on 10-9 Congestive Heart Failure, and was nominated by the Advanced Heart Failure APP Service. The nomination stated that Kristen “embodies the spirit of compassion, collaboration, and unwavering dedication to her patients and colleagues.” It was noted that Kristen approaches each interaction with empathy and kindness and that “her ability to connect with patients and families on a human level is unmatched.” She is described as someone who has impeccable attention to detail, actively seeks input from colleagues, values their expertise, and fosters an environment of shared knowledge. Kristen has mentored and continues to support new nurses and is a resource to her colleagues, being the first to offer help. The nominating team also shared that “Kristen’s dedication to excellence and teamwork elevates patient outcomes and strengthens our healthcare community. Her dedication to 10-9 is truly an important part of the success of the Heart Failure Program at Saint Francis.”

Gina Reale, BSN, RN is a nursing supervisor on the Behavioral Health Unit at Mount Sinai Rehabilitation Hospital and was nominated by her colleagues. Gina’s nomination started by saying that “both the staff and patients in the Behavioral Health Unit regard her as an older sister, a jovial aunt, and a trusted confidant. Gina’s ability to exude a calming presence, combined with her relatable and playful personality, truly sets her apart as an exceptional nurse supervisor.” She consistently rises to the occasion when confronted with a challenging situation, providing unwavering compassion, communication skills, support, and reassurance. The team that nominated her ended by saying “Gina epitomizes the qualities of a true nursing professional. What sets Gina apart is her unwavering commitment to going above and beyond to appropriately meet the needs of both her patients and their families.”

Ann Russo, RN, is a nurse in the Endoscopy Department and was nominated by her nurse manager, Lauri Santy, BS, MSN, RN. Ann, who has been a nurse at Saint Francis of over 25 years, has spent the last six years in Endoscopy. She recently obtained her American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology and is an active board member of the Connecticut Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates. Ann’s nomination stated, “It is not an easy skill to be a well-rounded nurse, educator, and charge nurse. She has embraced all aspects of being a professional nurse and is an asset to the unit. More importantly, she is an amazing advocate for the patients and families we serve.” As a charge nurse on a small, busy unit, Ann gets the team through the hectic day with minimal delays or issues. Her nomination concluded by saying, “Ann exemplifies a passionate nursing professional. She rises to the challenge, accepts the burdens and responsibility of the profession, and focuses on the goal to provide high-quality care to our patients.”

The Saint Francis Hospital School of Nursing Alumni Association is fortunate to have endowed funds to provide financial support for those pursuing a career in nursing, as well as those advancing their career in nursing. The legacy of Saint Francis School of Nursing Alumni has a lasting effect on the profession of nursing by awarding these funds to those who display strong academic pursuit, leadership skills, diverse challenges, and financial need. This year, 12 individuals were awarded scholarships through the Saint Francis School of Nursing Alumni Association.