June 23, 2000

There was not a dry eye in the O'Keeffe Auditorium after the audience heard the presentations for the Stephanie M. Macaluso Expertise in Clinical Practice Award June 15. Each recipient was nominated by fellow co-workers, and an emotional testimonial was read before each award was given. Emilyn Bellavia, RN, of Bigelow 13; Mary Elizabeth McAuley, RN, Medical Intensive Care Unit; Marcia Wasenius Rie, PT, of Inpatient Physical Therapy Services; and Diane McKenna-Yasek, RN, of Neurology Research, were the four clinicians honored at the ceremony.

The award — named to honor its first recipient, Stephanie Macaluso, RN, a clinical nurse specialist who died in July 1998 — is given twice a year to recognize direct care providers in Patient Care Services whose practices are based on caring, innovation, knowledge, spirit of inquiry, leadership and teamwork. "We are honoring these clinicians for their practice and for preserving the mission of this hospital," said Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, MS, senior vice president for Patient Care Services and chief nurse.

As McKenna-Yasek received her award, she reminded all who attended the ceremony that the most important knowledge a clinician can gain is found with the patients they are treating.

From left, Jeanette Ives Erickson, RN, MS, senior vice president  for Patient Care Services and chief nurse, with the four award recipients, Marcia Wasenius Rie, PT; Emilyn S. Bellavia, RN; Mary Elizabeth McAuley, RN; and Diane McKenna-Yasek, RN.