New York Yankees Nurse Night 2019

The New York Yankees hosted their 1st annual Nurse Night outing at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, June 20th as they took on the Astros. 

Image courtesy of Phillip Hickman Captiveessenceimagery.com

Nurse Hero Awards

Special thanks to Jaanuu Scrubs for dressing the nurse heroes in personalized scrubs!

The following nurses were nominated by their peers and patients for their commitment to the nursing profession. 

Grace Ogiehor, DHA, MSN, MPH, NE-BC, RN

New York Presbyterian Queens/ Nigerian Nurses Association

Dr. Grace Ogiehor-Enoma is a renowned Nurse, a scholar, a community health activist, and an entrepreneur. She is an adjunct Associate Professor at Hunter-Bellevue School of Nursing, New York and Administrative Nursing Supervisor at the New York Presbyterian Hospital Queens. Her expertise spans over 30 years in Nursing, Teaching, Health Administration, Community and Public Health, Program Development, and Research. Dr. Ogiehor-Enoma is a 2009 Fellow of the New York University (NYU) Leadership Institute for Black Nurses and 2010/2011 Mentor of the same university focusing on Health Disparity.

In 2014, Dr. Ogiehor-Enoma was made a fellow of the Carnegie African Diaspora fellowship program offered by the Institute of International Education (IIE) in partnership with Quinnipiac University (QU) and she executed a collaborative work between the Institute of International Education (IIE) and the University of Benin through the Department of Nursing, School of Basic Medical Sciences in 2015 & 2017.

Dr. Ogiehor-Enoma is a community health activist who has dedicated her calling and professional knowledge to improving the health of her community. Recognizing the critical role of nursing in health promotion and disease prevention at the grass-root level, Dr. Ogiehor-Enoma started a nonprofit professional association (The Nigerian Nurses Association of USA, New York.) in 2002 to help eliminate health disparities among African Immigrant Communities through community health education and community health outreach. The association has now expanded to other states in the United States, Canada leading to the National Association of Nigerian Nurses in North America (NANNNA). The New York chapter has received over seven “excellent in community service awards” since its inception Dr. Ogiehor-Enoma is the current Executive Director of NANNNA.

To give back to her birth country, Nigeria, Dr. Ogiehor-Enoma travels to Nigeria two to three times a year for medical/health missions. Through her leadership, the Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria in collaboration with NANNNA create an action plan on public awareness and campaign against domestic violence in Nigeria, established  “Nurses Technical Committee” (NTC) that focuses on developing a blueprint for strengthening nursing through coordinated multi-system policies and programs. NANNNA also collaborates with the National Universities Commission (NUC) to implement strategies to help increase the number of nursing graduates in the universities and engages in capacity building of nurses across the nation.

As a Nurse Entrepreneur, Dr. Ogiehor-Enoma started her own business, the Grace Strategic Healthcare Solutions (GSHS), a parent company of Grace School of Allied Health and Professional Advancement and  Grace Professional Consulting Services, To help bridge the gap in racial, ethnic and economic disparities in New York,  Dr. Ogiehor-Enoma developed a review program to help foreign-trained nurses having challenges in passing the NCLEX exam succeed in becoming Registered Nurses, and has licensed the program as a private school to provide allied health classes for low-income families. In 2017, the school helped over 260 women to get back to work. Dr. Ogiehor-Enoma also mentors Nigerian Nurses to advance in their career resulting in many nurses obtaining Ph.D. and DNP in nursing.

Dr. Ogiehor-Enoma significant contributions to the Nigerian and African Immigrant community, the nursing profession and healthcare in general, have made her a role model to other nurses, women, Nigerians, and African Immigrants in the United States.

Dr. Ogiehor-Enoma has published several articles in peer-reviewed journals and received numerous awards for her professional achievements and community involvement

Above all, Dr. Ogiehor-Enoma is a wife and a mother. She is a family oriented person and a strong believer in “God first, Family second, and Career third” philosophy.

Meet the Nurse Hero Finalists! 

Jennifer Pavone, MS, RN, AGACNP-BC

NYU Langone Health

At only 30 years old, Pavone has accomplished what some nurses accomplish over an entire career. Currently, the Manager of NYU Langone's Heart Failure Advanced Care Center, Ventricular Assist Device (VAD) Program and heart transplant program, Pavone earned her Master's Degree in Adult-Gerontology acute care while being a full-time registered nurse for NYU working in their Surgical & Cardiovascular ICU. 

Pavone was actually part of the team that reached a historic, first-ever milestone for NYU by replacing the heart of a woman from Brooklyn whose organ was irreversibly damaged by the result of treatment of breast cancer. To date, she has managed the successful transplants of over 30 patients.  

Her heroic efforts extend when outside circumstances prevail, such as during Hurricane Sandy, when she worked days on end and in different hospitals in the area to make sure her patients were safe and cared for and had been relocated properly. She even partnered with the FDNY to evacuate NYU hospital as it was going underwater.  

“Never once did she complain; she knew what she had to do--care for those that needed her and depended on her,” her sister, who nominated her, notes. “Jennifer has a passion for and calling for nursing. She deserves to be recognized for her amazing contributions to the field.” 

Paul Coyne, DNP, MBA, MSF, RN, AGPCNP-BC

Inspiren & Hospital for Special Surgery

After the residual effects of a stroke forced him out on disability from his financial career at Goldman Sachs at age 26, Coyne, now a DNP, MBA, MSF, APRN, RN, AGPCNP-BC, returned to school to prove to himself, and the world, that he was still capable of success, in spite of his stroke recovery and ongoing heart disease with a pacemaker implant. From the ages of 26 to 30, he obtained five additional degrees in a four-year period, simultaneously obtaining a BSN, MSN, and DNP from Columbia Nursing as well as an MBA in Healthcare Management and an MS, Finance from Northeastern University. 

Today, Paul is a doctorally prepared board-certified nurse practitioner in Adult-Gerontology with a subspecialty in palliative care and his writings on end-of-life care have been published in academic journals. Columbia named him one of 9 great graduates of their entire university of 2016 upon completion of his DNP. Oh, and did we mention that he’s also a gifted singer? 

Remarkably, Paul’s professional success has evolved parallel to his academic success and is now arguably surpassing it. He currently works in nursing administration at Hospital for Special Surgery, the #1 Orthopedic Hospital in the U.S. and the first hospital in New York to receive the Magnet Designation 4 times. 

Prior to this role, Paul leads a team of data analysts and clinical experts in NYP Analytics, to bridge the knowledge of the clinical and technical staff of New York Presbyterian Hospital. His unique understanding of data, clinical practice, and research allowed him to facilitate and expedite the data collection of countless research initiatives both within NYP as well as Cornell and Columbia Medical Centers.   

In addition to his role in hospital administration, Paul serves as President of Inspiren, a disruptive healthcare technology company which he co-founded, utilizing his clinical and analytic expertise to create the world's first cognitive patient assistant known as "iN." iN is a wall-mounted device that uses computer vision and deep learning to identify and analyze the interactions of people and medical equipment within a hospital room.  

In 2018, Dr. Coyne, at only the age of 33, was the only nurse practitioner named on Becker’s extremely prestigious list of “Rising Stars: Healthcare Leaders under 40.” Additionally, Paul gives countless hours to the nursing profession through speaking engagements, panel appearances, mentorship, and participates in a wide variety of other activities, doing everything he can to help nurses reach their full potential.

“It has been one of the greatest joys of my life to watch my friend transform from one who identifies first as a stroke survivor to one of the most commanding and confident leaders I have ever met,” describes Coyne’s nominator, who was once a student with him at Columbia University. “There are even fewer, who are able to combine the lessons of personal hardship to honestly and continuously acknowledge their flaws and their strengths, and use both for a remarkable force for good to do something truly remarkable in the world. There is no greater force for inspiration than my friend, Paul.” 

Marie Carmel Garcon, FNP, DNP 

Now a nurse practitioner who provides primary care to the homebound population of Washington Heights and Inwood areas, Garcon moved to New York from Haiti as a teenager who didn’t speak any English. Despite the challenges, she worked extra hard, reading and shadowing nurses to learn even more as she progressed through two Masters degrees and her doctorate. 

Despite her career accomplishments and serving as a nurse practitioner for 31 years and at Columbia Doctors' Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Group for 17 of those, the primary descriptor of Garcon is that she is a woman who is “not in a hurry.” And in a society that is always hurried, that’s a rare gem. “When she shows up at a patient's house, she has no plans for how long she'll stay or what time she'll leave,” her nominator describes. “That's part of what makes her a miracle in the eyes of her patients and their families.”

Her dedication to her patients includes cycling to bring lab tests and X-rays to 121 homebound patients, assembling a team of social workers, doctors and supporting aid like Meals on Wheels to ensure her patients are cared for even when she's not around. She speaks to those team members at all hours of the day, often when walking between her patients' homes. 

“Anyone who's ever been in Garcon's presence feels the glow of her attention right away,” her nominator describes. “With a warm smile and an air of kind efficiency, Garcon combines thorough care with attentiveness in a manner rare for today's age of the hustle.” 

She brings the same approach to her life outside of work, such as collecting her patients' stories for an eventual memoir that she writes bits of whenever she has a free moment and  traveling, volunteering at church and spending time with her two children, ages 22 and 19, whom she sometimes brings with her on patient visits.

“To me, nursing is a vocation,” says Garcon herself. “My goal was always, let me see what's going on at home that's stopping them from taking care of themselves,” she says. 

Jan Kaminsky, Ph.D., RN

Assistant Professor, CUNY SPS, Nursing 

Director of Education, Rainbow Health Consulting

Jan Kaminsky, Ph.D., RN, is a tireless nurse advocate for some of the most vulnerable members of our population. She has worked with and for LGBTQ+ youth in a variety of positions, from a bedside nurse assisting youth at risk for suicide to a community organization that she co-founded to provide the important intervention of social and family support for transgender youth. 

LGBTQ+ youth are at particular risk for bullying, which has been found to begin as early as fifth grade. We know that bullying, harassment, and intimidation set vulnerable students up for higher risk of substance use, mental health concerns, and self-harm including suicide risk. For example, the Centers for Disease Control recently reported that for transgender high school students, 34.6% of students had attempted suicide in the past 12 months. 

LGBTQ+ students also expressed high rates of sexual risk-taking behavior; rape and other victimization; absenteeism from school to avoid violence or threats of violence either en route to/from school or during the school day; feelings of depression or hopelessness; and increased use of hard drugs. Jan is determined to improve the health of LGBTQ+ youth and improve these distressing statistics with her work with LGBTQ+ youth through education, activism, and community organizing. 

She also is married with three children, is a Professor at the City University of New York, the Founder of the National LGBTQ+ Nurses Association, and the Director of Education for Rainbow Health Consulting. She should be very proud of her community health work and is truly an example of what a nurse should be. 

“Her work with youth saves lives every single day, and she should be commended for it,” her nominator notes. “I can't think of a more deserving person to be honored at the New York Yankees Nurse Night!” 

Lisbeth Caiafa, BSN, RN

Northwell Health 

Revenue Cycle Management - Clinical Appeals

When there was an emergency situation on an American Airlines flight and a woman collapsed, Lisbeth immediately got out of her seat to assist with the emergency. The plane made an emergency landing and after it landed, they found out that there were other medical professionals on the plane who never offered their assistance to save this person’s life. 

“‘Lisbeth’ didn’t think twice about saving this person’s life,” describes her husband, who nominated her. “That is what my wife is all about: doing what she can to help people. She has always put others first to make sure they have what the need.” 

A nurse for 35 years, Caiafa has dedicated herself to the children in the Uniondale school district for the past 10 years as a school nurse. 

Although Caiafa has two biological children, she often says that she has 600 adopted children. She has done everything in her power to care for all of her children, making sure they had hats and gloves, anonymous Christmas gift, and collecting and stocking local food banks for families in need. 

“There is no bigger Yankee fan than this nurse,” her husband adds. “She expects nothing for the kindness that she shares and I can’t think of any better way to honor her!”

Julia Andrechuk, LPN

Christian Nursing Registry Home-Care

Andrechuk decided she wanted to become a nurse after her brother was diagnosed with a brain tumor and the nurses that took care of her brother inspired her to do the same for other people. 

After high school, she received her LPN at Boces and transferred to Suffolk County Community College to complete prerequisites for their RN program, but while pursuing her education Julia herself was diagnosed with cancer. She was diagnosed with stage two Hodgkin's Lymphoma at only the age of 19.

After putting her career on hold and undergoing months of chemo, Andrechuk was cancer free. 

“Julia is the kind you only meet once in your life,” her nominator describes. “Her energy and optimism are infectious. Despite everything she and her family have been through she still remains so positive, and her experiences have made her so much stronger. She has been in the same position as some of her patients, and I think that is crucial quality nurses should have. Often patients think they're alone, not many people have been in their shoes. Doctors, nurses and family members can empathize with them but don't truly understand what it's like. Julia does, and I think that sets her apart from other nurses.”

Catherine Bauer, MSN, RN, MBA, CGRN, CFER

Director of Digestive Health, University of Virginia Medical Center 

According to her nominator, Cathy Bauer “lives and breathes the world of gastroenterology and she makes that love contagious”--but totally in a good way, as an example of dedication, fortitude, and determination, of course. 

Bauer became the Nurse Manager at Vidant Medical Center in Greenville, NC, then went on to become the Director of the Gastroenterology program at UVA Charlottesville in 2014. Described as a “woman of few words” Bauer knows how to work hard, earning two master's degrees and serving as the president of the local SGNA societies while practicing in New York and NC.  

Having set a goal to become the president of the national Society of Gastroenterology of Nurse and Associates, Bauer attained her goal in 2019 and has earned the respect of thousands of GI nurses nationally. Under her leadership, her lab received many awards and honors, going from zero certified nurses to an 80% ratio of certified nurses within three years of her arrival.

Today, Bauer travels around the world teaching on infection control measures in the world of GI and advocating for patient safety. She loves deeply and has a passion for life and work and has gone to Washington D.C. on several occasions to lobby for colon cancer prevention initiatives. 

Despite her busy schedule, Bauer still takes time to enjoy her life, says her nominator. For instance, one of her “greatest loves” in life is the New York Yankees. “If she were granted the opportunity to be recognized at Yankee stadium, this would be a surreal moment for her, something that she would remember as one of the greatest moments in her life,” she describes. “She is one of the most deserving nurses I know to be recognized as a Nurse Hero. Words can not do her the justice that is needed for this honor.” 

Mary McCaffrey, APRN FNP-BC 

Mary McCaffrey, an Assistant Nurse Manager, has demonstrated heroic efforts such as staying with her pediatric patients when a man entered the hospital with an undisclosed gun putting the entire hospital into lockdown. 

“Mary followed all protocols” her nominator explains. “She stayed with her patients to protect them as she knew they were more important than her own life.”

All nurses save lives, but McCaffrey makes a difference in people’s lives, says her nominator. She is someone who has dedicated her life to nursing, her patients and humanity.  

Already a great nurse, McCaffrey pursued another degree and achieved it.   She strives to excel in her current and future positions. 

“Mary’s passion for nursing and caring for others is truly not like anything I have ever seen,” the nominator says. Patients know her by name, ask for her and always remember her if they return.

Jacqueline Cassagnol, MSN, RN, Ph.D. (c)

Worldwide Community First Responder, Inc., Founder & President

An accomplished nursing administrator, educator, and professor, Jacqueline Cassagnol received a Master of Science Degree in Nursing Administration and a Post Master Degree Certificate in Nursing Education from Mercy College. She is currently a Ph.D. in Nursing candidate at Pace University. She is the founder and president of Worldwide Community First Responder (WCFR), Inc. She is also a founding member and past vice-president of the Greater Nanuet Chamber of Commerce, a Rockland Community Emergency Responsive Team (CERT) member, a Leadership Rockland (LR) member, a Haitian American Nurses Association (HANA) member, and a Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) Honor Society of Nursing member. She was elected Nanuet Patch Mayor in August 2018.

As a result of Cassagnol’s experience in preparing for and assisting with victims of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, she founded WCFR, a non-profit organization, to provide health education, first aid, and disaster-preparedness training. She has presented locally, nationally and internationally at nursing conferences about WCFR and its collaboration with other non-profit organizations to improve global health outcomes. In addition, she has presented at International Research Congress Conferences in China, South Africa, and Ireland regarding health education and disaster preparedness projects that she initiated through WCFR in the United States and Haiti.

Cassagnol has been recognized with numerous distinguished awards for her community services. She was honored as a “rising star” by the Rockland Economic Development Corporation at the organization’s 13th Annual Forty Under 40 Reception. She was also honored as the “safe community” award winner by Volunteer New York at the organization’s 35th Annual Volunteer Spirit Awards Breakfast Benefit; as “nurse of the year” by March of Dimes at the organization’s Fifth Annual Nurse of the Year Gala in New York; and as the “nurse of the year and president’s choice” award winner by HANA of Rockland County, Inc. at the organization’s Seventh Annual Scholarships & Fundraising Awards Gala in New York; and as “founding member” by the Greater Nanuet Chamber of Commerce in New York. She was highlighted in the Spirits of Nurses’ Week by Rockland County Times in May 2017, named Hudson Valley Hero in June 2017, and featured Making an Impact in Rockland by the Journal News in November 2017. Recently, she was inducted in the New York Academy of Medicine in November 2018 and won the Haitian American Young Citizen of the Year Award from the US Haitian Chamber of Commerce, Inc in March 2019.

Timeline and official rules

• May 11, 2019 - nominations close. Nominees must respond within 48 hours or their nomination will be removed. 
• May 25, 2019 - top 10 announced 
• May 29, 2019 - voting opens
• June 8, 2019 - voting ends
• June 10, 2019 - Nurse Hero who will receive VIP seats is announced
• Official rules