Trinity Health Of New England Nurses Honored with Nightingale Awards

Johnson Memorial Hospital

Sarah Magistri, RN, is a staff nurse in the Intensive Care Unit. Sarah, who has served the Johnson community for 16 years, demonstrates unwavering commitment to patients by consistently providing compassionate care. She prioritizes patient safety and goes above and beyond to ensure that each patient receives personalized, high-quality care. Sarah’s colleagues look up to her as a mentor, leader, and trusted individual within the organization. As the co-chair of the Johnson staffing committee, Sarah recognized the challenges that were affecting both morale and patient care and took the initiative to transform the committee into a force for positive change. She actively engaged nurses from all units, fostering open discussions about their concerns while also identifying creative solutions. Thanks to Sarah’s leadership, the committee became a place of empowerment and is seen as a trusted voice for change where nurses feel supported, valued, and heard – all because of Sarah’s unwavering commitment to excellence. She also exemplifies exceptional dedication to her profession and her community by volunteering with a local Boy Scout troop, teaching first aid and CPR. Through this selfless contribution, Sarah empowers young individuals with life-saving skills, highlighting her commitment to fostering safety and health to make a positive impact on the lives of those around her.

Karen Lewis, MSN, RN, serves as a perinatal nurse for the Women and Infants Center. She is dedicated to nursing and patient care, which is shown through her extensive experience and varied nursing roles. Karen excels at supporting mothers through the childbirth process. Her calm demeanor, extensive knowledge, and unwavering support have made her an invaluable asset to the labor and delivery team. Karen’s contributions to nursing go beyond her clinical skills, as she serves as a mentor to new nurses, sharing her wealth of knowledge and experience to guide the next generation of health care professionals. Her commitment to continuous learning and improvement is evident in her pursuit of advanced certifications and participation in professional development opportunities, including completing her education as a Nurse Practitioner. Beyond her work at Saint Mary’s, she founded “Karen’s Closet,” an initiative that provides gently used baby items to families in need. She is visible in the Waterbury area, often participating in local programs to support the Black perinatal population and the Day 43 campaign. Karen’s dedication to nursing extends even beyond her local community, as she has volunteered on various mission trips around the world to provide medical care and support to underserved populations, highlighting her compassionate and selfless nature.  

Elizabeth Culbert, RN, is the Senior Clinical Advisor (SCA) on the Congestive Heart Failure Unit 10-9. Liz, who has a deep passion for nursing and a desire to have an impact on developing strong, competent nurses, joined the unit as the SCA two years ago. Her passion for mentoring and developing nurses was instrumental in growing the staff on 10-9, with new nurses on the unit spending a week with Liz for orientation. Her mentorship does not end with orientation, however, and on any given day you will find her alongside nurses on the unit educating and supporting the staff. As an SCA, Liz plays multiple roles on the unit with many responsibilities, but she always makes supporting the nursing staff her top priority. Liz goes above and beyond every single day, whether that means adjusting her schedule or helping a colleague in a personal crisis. She is the heart of the unit, always giving her all – no matter what the job is, Liz has her sleeves rolled up and is ready to help.

Cassandra Halpin, RN, C-EFM, is a staff nurse in Maternity, serving as a charge nurse and preceptor. Cassie has held several roles since joining Saint Francis in 2015, including Senior Clinical Advisor in the delivery room, coordinator of the Bereavement Program, Baby Friendly Coordinator, Safe Sleep Coordinator, and Childbirth Education Coordinator. She performs any task that is asked of her and is a highly committed, expert, caring nursing professional. She organized and streamlined resources to support nursing and physician staff in caring for perinatal patients who’ve experienced loss, promoted childbirth education including the return of in-person programs, and has been active with local outreach in support of a “community baby shower” for expectant parents in the Hartford area. Cassie is always supportive of new initiatives on the unit, mastering new skills and providing support to her colleagues. She perfectly exemplifies the Core Values of Saint Francis through her teamwork, customer service, quality, accountability, and support of a safe patient environment. Cassie is kind and caring and leaves an impact every day, always available as a resource for her patients and colleagues. She continues to pursue activities for professional growth and is always willing and eager to learn and share her knowledge.  

Denise Naylor, RN, is a member of the 10-7 Neuroscience Medicine Unit, serving as the night shift charge nurse. Denise is the “glue” that holds the night shift together. She is a resolute nurse who provides quality and compassionate care to the highest standard of excellence. Denise, who also serves as nursing supervisor at Mount Sinai a few times a week, is always positive and willing to support her colleagues and the unit in any way she can. She collaborates well with supervisors, physicians, and other disciplines to foster a positive working environment. Denise is not afraid to hold her colleagues to a high standard when delivering patient care, coaching in a professional and caring manner. She has embraced the TogetherTeam concept, collaborating well with the virtual nurses and reinforcing the importance of working together with her staff. Denise precepts new colleagues and is also a mentor to seasoned nurses, serving as the go-to person when anyone has a question. Her encounters with patients and family members, are thoughtful and focused making them feel as though they are the only ones who matter. Denise takes pride knowing that the care she provides her patients and their families, is kind, competent, and compassionate.

Amanda Sosnicki, RN, is a staff nurse in Hematology-Oncology. She has been called the “cheermeister” of the Cancer Center because of her efforts to keep the team engaged in coordinating holiday, birthday, and other life event celebrations for all the colleagues in the center. Amanda is always willing to go above and beyond for her patients, staying late if needed, and being a fierce advocate for vulnerable patients. She took the lead in coordinating the donation of a Christmas tree and decorations to a terminally ill patient in order to make their last holiday season special. She recently recognized a need and expressed her willingness to coordinate and maintain a food bank at the Cancer Center for patients and families who have food insecurity. Amanda provides not only medical care, but emotional support and comfort to patients in their most vulnerable moments. Her empathy and kindness create an environment of trust, where patients feel valued and heard. Amanda heals with her hands and with her heart, offering encouragement, understanding, and hope. Her legacy extends beyond individual interactions, her compassion inspires colleagues and fosters a culture of patient-centered care that lasts for generations.