New Jersey State Nurses Association Recognizes Toms River RWJBarnabas Nurse Administrator as ‘Diva’

TRENTON, N.J.—Dec. 22, 2016—The New Jersey State Nurses Association (NJSNA) recognized Teresita Medina, MAS, BSN, RN-BC, chief nursing officer, Behavioral Health Behavioral Health Center, RWJBarnabas Health, for excellence in nursing administration and outstanding professional career accomplishments at its Diva and Don Gala.

“Our Divas are New Jersey nurses who have made an extraordinary impact on the profession and the community,” said Ben Evans, DD, DNP, RN, APN, chair of the Institute for Nursing, the foundation of NJSNA that bestows the recognition. “Teresita is a shining example of an administration Diva because she has tirelessly worked for better patient outcomes.”

In her current role Medina is responsible for planning, organizing and directing the overall operations of nursing and patient care services at the Barnabas Behavioral Center in Toms River, including all Behavioral Health Nursing Units within the RWJBarnabas Health System.

“Tess has proven her leadership abilities and her work as a leader and as a patient advocate has been notable,” said her nominator, Rosemarie D. Rosales, New Jersey State Nurses Association Board of Directors.

Throughout her career she has transformed behavioral health services at several New Jersey Health Systems, including reducing spending and increasing positive patient outcomes and satisfaction.

At Barnabas Health System in Monmouth Medical Center she successfully developed and implemented the Cerner Behavioral Health Electronic Documentation System for the Barnabas Health Network within a nine month targeted time frame. She successfully launched the “Integrated Health Home for the Seriously Mentally Ill Population” project that saved more than $10 million.

Prior to joining RWJBarnabas Health, Medina managed and transformed behavioral health services at Saint Clare’s Health System by realizing $850,000 in cost savings. Her quality initiatives included decreasing restraints and seclusion by 65 percent in 2013 compared to 2012, establishing the use of sensory modulation to decrease the use of restraints and seclusion and improving patient satisfaction from 75 percent to 80 percent.

She was formally recognized on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at the Hyatt Regency Princeton Hotel in Princeton, New Jersey with 12 other honorees.

To learn more about the New Jersey State Nurses Association, visit www.njsna.org.

###

About NJSNA

The New Jersey State Nurses Association (NJSNA) represents the interests of 125,000 registered nurses and advanced practice nurses as an advocate for the nursing profession. NJSNA, which was established in 1901, is a constituent member of the American Nurses Association. NJSNA’s lobbying arm continues to protect the nursing profession through legislative victories. Its nonprofit foundation, Institute for Nursing, helps nurses further their careers by providing continuing education, scholarships and research grants in addition to invaluable networking opportunities. For more information, nurses can visit www.njsna.org or contact NJSNA at njsna@njsna.org or (609) 883-5335.