Griffin Hospital in Derby honors nurses at 31st annual celebration

Contributed photo

Griffin Hospital Vice President of Patient Care Barbara Stumpo, left, presents Tammy Gray, RN, with Griffin Hospital’s 2017 Outstanding Nurse of the Year Award.

DERBY - Griffin Hospital recently held its 31st Annual Nurse Day Celebration to honor its more than 360 staff nurses and present awards to those nurses who delivered exceptional care during the year.

Tania Cote, RN, BSN, of Naugatuck, Diana Konecny, RN, BSN, of Beacon Falls, Karyn Spaulding, RN, BSN, of Seymour, and Tracy Volpe, RN, BSN, of Cheshire, were named 2017 Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing winners. 
Tammy Gray, RN, of Waterbury, received The Outstanding Nurse of the Year Award.

Originally developed by the Visiting Nurse Association of South Central Connecticut, the Nightingale Award celebrates outstanding nurses and elevates the nursing profession. 
The goals of the Nightingale Award program are to encourage retention, inspire future nurses, focus public attention, and recognize the breadth and scope of nursing practice at the local level.

As a nine-year employee and staff member of Griffin’s Respiratory Department and Wound Care Center, Gray has made a difference in many patients’ lives and has been a role model and mentor to countless nurses at Griffin. Her colleagues said she provides exceptional care by making sure patients understand their conditions and treatments, and have the supplies they need to heal. 

Physicians rely on Gray’s assessments and recommendation and she makes herself available to assist fellow nurses on a daily basis through email, cell phone, and text.

“Tammy is valued and appreciated by patients and caregivers alike,” said Griffin Hospital Vice President of Patient Care Barbara Stumpo. 
“She embraces the Planetree philosophy by providing exemplary care that is compassionate, non-judgmental and patient-centered. Her positive attitude, humor, dedication. and work ethic make her an outstanding nurse.”

The celebration also recognized Tracey Ragozzine, RN, of Oxford, with The Marie Santini Perioperative Nursing Excellence Award; Katherine Delvecchio, RN, of Newtown, with The Richard Stivala, M.D., Obstetric Nursing Excellence Award; Edward Valente, RN, of Naugatuck, with The Mary Schumacher Leadership Award; Kaitlyn White, RN, of Oakville, with the Donald Torok Memorial Scholarship; and Jeenet Reid, RN, of Bridgeport, with The Mary Nelligan Award for Continuing Education. 

This is a press release from Griffin Hospital.

Congratulations to all the nurses on their awards!