Clara Maass Hospital Workers Earn Awards For Compassion, Kindness

BELLEVILLE, NJ — A pair of healthcare professionals from Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville recently earned awards for their “commitment to treating patients and families with compassion and kindness.”

The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey (HFNJ) presented the 2017 Lester Z. Lieberman Humanism in Healthcare Award to patient experience representative Tracy Thompson and Jose Fernandez, director of the radiology department.

Thompson and Fernandez received their awards during a July 17 reception hosted by the HFNJ at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston.

According to a hospital news release, Thompson, a 12-year employee of CMMC was nominated for her “exceptional interaction with patients, physicians and families,” and Fernandez, a two-year employee, was nominated for his “devotion and commitment to outstanding patient care.”

Nearly 40 honorees representing thirty select hospitals, health care centers, community organizations, and nursing programs and medical schools in Essex, Union and Morris counties were also recognized at the reception.

The awards program was established by HFNJ in 2001 to recognize employees of hospitals, healthcare organizations, nursing students and faculty who demonstrate a commitment to treating patients and families with compassion and kindness. The program was named in 2009 to honor Lester Z. Lieberman, the founding chairman of HFNJ who served in that role for 17 years before his passing in November 2013.

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Photos: Clara Maass Medical Center