Nurse Of The Year, Others Honored By Greenwich Hospital

Greenwich Hospital honored several employees during its annual Nurses Day Celebration on May 11.

By Richard Kaufman, Patch Staff

May 13, 2026 3:32 pm EDT | Updated May 13, 2026 3:50 pm EDT

GREENWICH, CT — Greenwich Hospital recognized staff members, physicians and nurses during its annual Nurses Day Celebration on May 11, honoring employees with awards for patient care, collaboration and service.

Hospital employees nominated and voted on the award recipients, according to officials.

From left to right: Bob Blenderman, PA, president, Greenwich Hospital; Jerry Laureano, manager, Logistics, Greenwich Hospital; Stacey Green, director, Volunteer Services, Yale New Haven Health System; Cloti Ilano, manager, Case Management, Greenwich Hospital; Sarah Stempien, RN, Maternity, Greenwich Hospital; Anna Cerra, DNP, RN, FAAN, chief nursing officer and senior vice president, Greenwich Hospital. (Courtesy of Greenwich Hospital)

The Helen Meehan Award, also known as the Nurse of the Year Award, was presented to Sarah Stempien.

A nurse at Greenwich Hospital for 13 years, Stempien was recognized for leadership, mentorship and patient care across maternity services, according to hospital officials.

Anna Cerra, chief nursing officer and senior vice president of Greenwich Hospital, presented the Nurse of the Year Award during the event.

"Your hard work behind the scenes ensures that our patients receive the comprehensive care they need and deserve," Cerra said, according to a news release. "It is a privilege to be entrusted with their care, and we must never lose sight of the profound impact we have on their lives. Each interaction, no matter how small, has the power to make a difference. Your actions have the power to heal, comfort and inspire hope."

The Partner-in-Care Award was presented to Jerry Laureano, manager of logistics at Greenwich Hospital. The hospital said Laureano was recognized for supporting nursing teams, managing supplies and helping maintain patient care operations throughout the hospital.

The Physician Partner-in-Care Award was awarded to Dr. Athanassios Petrotos, chief of acute care surgery and director of trauma at Greenwich Hospital, as well as assistant professor of surgery at Yale School of Medicine. Hospital officials said Petrotos was honored for more than 20 years of service, mentorship and patient care.

The Collaborative Award was presented to Cloti Ilano, manager of the hospital’s case management team, and Stacey Green, director of volunteer services. Officials said Ilano was recognized for leadership and collaboration supporting patients and families during care and discharge planning, while Green was honored for volunteer engagement and community service initiatives.