Cataquet of Springfield Receives High Honors From Atlantic Neuroscience Institute

Atlantic Health System presented its annual neuroscience nursing award to Randi Cataquet, of Springfield.

According to her colleagues, Registered Nurse Randi Cataquet is not just a nurse. She’s also a motivator.

Cataquet, who was recently chosen as an Atlantic Health System Neuroscience Nurse of the Year, puts a lot of love and energy into her work as an emergency room nurse at Overlook Medical Center, said Alyssa Ericksen, RN, who presented Cataquet with the award.

“Randi has a creative flair and she has a gift for making learning memorable and fun,” said Ericksen at the awards event, part of the 18^th Annual Atlantic Neuroscience Institute Nursing Symposium on Sept. 27 in Somerset.

Cataquet’s off-duty endeavors helped her achieve the Excellence in Clinical Practice Award. According to Ericksen, Cataquet volunteers at the Emergency Medical Service’s annual dinners, the annual registered nurse block party and completes swallow screen audits.

Additionally, Cataquet – a certified emergency nurse and an active member of Atlantic Health’s Performance Improvement Team – helps boost staff morale by helping organize volunteer benefit events, including Color War games and the MuckFest MS, said Ericksen.

She said Cataquet played an instrumental role in teaching nurses the Code Grey process related to the emergency department’s response to stroke assessment and treatment. Part of that education involves teaching the proper mixing and administration of alteplase to stroke victims.

The Excellence in Clinical Practice Award recognizes bedside RNs with at least four years of bedside neuroscience experience who are working at one of Atlantic Health System’s neuroscience focus areas. Cataquet, in winning the award, was deemed to have been a “champion neuroscience nurse who consistently shows exemplary qualities” in her clinical practice.

“These nurses are the frontline staff giving exceptional care to our neuroscience patients as well as acting as mentors to staff and continuing to grow professionally within the neuroscience specialty,” noted Eriksen.

Also awarded at the symposium was Stephen Coughlin, RN, of Parsippany, who works at Morristown Medical Center.

Coughlin was named the Atlantic Health System Neuroscience RN Rising Star award winner.

Both awards were sponsored by Atlantic Neurosurgical Specialists.

Nurses also nominated for the Excellence in Clinical Practice Award were Marie Adisa, Ellen Ambrose, Lina Calderon, Terri Carrelus, Helen Cintron, Sarah Fiasconaro, Clare Grabinski, Connie Mastrangelo, Cheryl Seufert and Ali Woersching.

Nurses also nominated for the Rising Star Award were Nicole Bauer, Melissa Csakvary, Heather Dibiase, GinaMarie Forrester, David Monahan, Amanda Plesnik, Stephanie Siglin, Kelly Silva, Tamara Sousa, Ranya Tawfik, Gabriella Terrana and Taylor Thoma.

About Atlantic Health System

Atlantic Health System, headquartered in Morristown, N.J., is an integrated health care delivery system powered by a workforce of 16,000 team members dedicated to building healthier communities. The system is comprised of 350 sites of care, including six hospitals: Morristown Medical Center, Overlook Medical Center, Newton Medical Center, Chilton Medical Center, Hackettstown Medical Center and Goryeb Children’s Hospital. Atlantic Health System also supports communities through Atlantic Medical Group, Atlantic Rehabilitation, Atlantic Home Care and Hospice, and its subsidiary, Atlantic Ambulance Corporation. Atlantic Health System sponsors the Atlantic Accountable Care Organization, one of the larger ACOs in the nation, and Optimus Healthcare Partners.