Emergency Department expands recognition awards

The Emergency Department Awards started in 2021 as a singular Emergency Nurse of the Year Award. The leadership team felt it was important to recognize the incredible work of our staff in a meaningful and lasting way. The dedication, resilience, and camaraderie of the entire team is evident each and every day, so this year we decided to expand the awards to recognize additional achievements.

In partnership with our ED Professional Nursing Council, award categories were determined and a peer nomination process was implemented. All awards were chosen for the staff by the staff. We received an impressive amount of nominations for many staff members in the department.

“The time and thought that was put into each nomination was really remarkable and speaks to both the strength of the team and the respect that everyone has for one another,” said Audrey Silver, nurse manager. “In what has been our busiest year on record, for staff to make the discretionary effort to recognize and celebrate one another is really inspiring and what makes this team so special.”

The awards were presented Friday during the morning huddle, as part of Emergency Nurses Week, which was Oct. 9-15. HHC President and CEO Jeff Flaks attended, along with members of the Hartford leadership team, including Bimal Patel, Hartford Hospital president; Adam Steinberg, DO, vice president of medical affairs, Hartford region; Ajay Kumar, executive vice president and chief clinical officer, HHC; Laura Bailey, MSN, HHC regional vice president of patient care services Hartford region; and Patty Veronneau, Emergency Department nursing director, Hartford Hospital, to recognize the team for their contributions providing excellent patient care and saving lives.

Emergency Nurse of the Year: Maribeth Imbimbo, RN, CEN
Maribeth Imbimbo, RNIII, has been at Hartford Hospital ED for 10 years and an emergency nurse for 14 years. She is a Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN).

Emergency Department Staff Member of the Year: Raymond Altiery, Equipment Unit Leader Supervisor
Raymond (Ray) Altiery has been an employee of Hartford Hospital for 13 years. He transitioned to the ED as an Equipment Aide in 2014, and assumed the role of Equipment Unit Leader Supervisor one-and-a-half years ago.

ED Purple Pod Staff Member of the Year: Anthony Cole, PCA
Anthony (Tony) Cole has been a PCA in the Emergency Department since 1980. He has specialized in Behavioral Health in Purple Pod.

ED Observation Unit Staff Member of the Year: Rosa Guadalupe, PAA
Rosa Guadalupe, PAA, has been an employee of HH for 17 years. She began working in the ED observation unit two years ago.

Excellence in Nursing Mentorship Award: Robert Edwards, RN
Robert (Rob) Edwards is a Clinical Leader in the ED. He has worked as an RN at Hartford Hospital ED since 2007.

ED Rising Star Award: David Scalise, RN
David Scalise is a new graduate RN that started his career at Hartford Hospital ED in September 2021.

ED Observation Unit Rising Star Award: Nicoya Benham-Marin, RN
Nicoya Benham-Marie is a new graduate RN that started her career in the ED observation unit in October 2021.