Pittsburgh Penguins Nurse Appreciation: Nurses Ride the Zamboni
Event Recap
About Pittsburgh Penguins Nurse Appreciation:
- Game: Penguins vs. Lightning
- Date: Nov 19, 2024 7:00 PM EST
- Location: PPG Paints Arena
- Nurse Appreciation: 8 nurses will ride the Zamboni and be recognized on the ice.
Nurses Honored on the Ice!
Eight nurses were recognized on the ice and rode the Fanboni! The winners each received 2 game tickets, Clove shoes and a prize bundle from NuWest!
Here are the eight nurses honored, chosen by an online vote:
Eileen Wallace
I am writing to wholeheartedly nominate Mrs. Eileen Wallace, an exceptional elementary school nurse for the Bethel Park School District, for the Pittsburgh Penguins Nurse Appreciation Award. Eileen’s unwavering dedication to the health and well-being of her students and the broader community is truly commendable and deserves recognition.
Eileen is a tireless advocate for community health, organizing numerous health events that directly benefit the families and children in our district. She has spearheaded initiatives such as flu shot clinics, COVID booster clinics, and screenings for various diseases, including Type 1 Diabetes and other ailments. She was also heavily involved in bringing the Damar Hamlin #3forHeart™ CPR Challenge to Bethel Park and was Intral and training the entire staff on hands-free CPR.
Eileen’s dedication to educating staff on hands-free CPR proved invaluable last year when a medical emergency at Benjamin Franklin Elementary School resulted in a life being saved, thanks to the consistent training she provided. In recognition of their heroic actions, the staff involved were honored with the American Heart Association’s Heart Saver Hero Award for their critical role in performing CPR on an adult who suffered a serious medical event on campus.
Just this morning, she informed me about an upcoming clinic at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center that will provide free dental, vision, and hearing care to anyone in need next month. This is just one example of her commitment to ensuring that health resources are accessible to everyone.
Eileen's involvement in such initiatives demonstrates her dedication not only to her students but also to the wider community, showcasing her belief that everyone deserves access to essential health services.
In addition to her community outreach efforts, Eileen is a strong advocate for continual learning in her profession. She has hosted various ""dine and learn"" experiences and has attended countless conferences to stay abreast of the latest developments in school health and nursing. Her commitment to professional development ensures that she is always equipped with the most current knowledge and best practices for her role.
Having worked in public education for multiple school districts over the past 20 years, I can confidently say that I have never encountered a nurse as dedicated to her job as Eileen Wallace. Her passion for her work, her students, and her community is truly inspiring. I cannot recommend her strongly enough for this recognition.
Thank you for considering Eileen Wallace for the Pittsburgh Penguins Nurse Appreciation Award. She embodies the spirit of dedication and compassion that this award seeks to honor.
Holly Fisher
Holly is the Nursing Curriculum Leader in Upper St. Clair School District. She is the Certified School Nurse for one of our elementary schools, and she oversees nursing at all six of our schools plus two additional private schools within our district boundaries.
With her leadership, she and the other school nurses have collaborative screening days at each school to complete the required screenings for all students as early in the year as possible. As Holly says -- what good is a vision screening in March if the student has needed glasses all school year!
Holly signs all her emails with this quote: ""You can’t educate a child who isn’t healthy, and you can’t keep a child healthy who isn’t educated."" - Joycelyn Elders
Holly has worked closely with our Special Education department to ensure that appropriate nursing services are available for students who need specialized care during the day or to participate in activities. She is a trainer for our Comprehensive Crisis Management program that provides all paraprofessionals and identified professional staff with de-escalation training and instruction on trauma-informed care. During a theme week last year, she and a student who requires 1-1 nursing throughout the day were ""Twins"" on Twin Day. She has led Kids of Steel efforts at our elementary schools. These are just a few examples of her commitment to students.
Although most would think of school nurses as supports for only students, Holly takes the Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model approach seriously and also emphasizes staff wellness.
She has spearheaded efforts such as Step Challenges during American Heart Month, Fall mileage challenges, staff wellness boards, and an annual Wellness Day. On Wellness Day, Holly and her committee organize dozens of professional development sessions for our entire staff to focus on their wellbeing. From exercise classes, to sessions with financial planners, to mindfulness and yoga sessions, to physicians presenting about the importance of routine/preventative medicine, to CPR training, the day offers something for everyone.
Marisa Longwell
Marisa Longwell is a registered nurse who is kind/caring providing the best care to our veterans each and every day at the VA! She makes sure that each veteran is treated with the utmost respect and that they receive the best care possible for their dedication to our country.
Jordyn Bielecki
Jordyn works for the VA and is such a light to all of her patients. She goes above and beyond to give them the best possible care.
Melinda Haddox
Melinda Haddox is the school nurse at Highland Middle School (HMS) within the Blackhawk School District. Mrs. Haddox is a compassionate and dedicated professional who prioritizes the well-being of all students. She provides care with kindness, ensuring that students feel safe and supported when they visit her office. Through her attention to both physical and emotional health, she creates a welcoming environment where students feel comfortable seeking help, fostering a sense of security and trust within the school community.
As a parent of a student, Lilley, in the middle school, I cannot tell you the ease that Mrs. Haddox has created to ensure that my daughter is provided student-centered care daily. Lilley was diagnosed with epilepsy at the beginning of 2024. I feel very confident with Mrs. Haddox's level of care and effective communication to ensure that Lilley's teachers are informed on any changes in her medication, side effects, and updates on her plan of care.
Other highlights include her effective communication with her anecdotal notes and observations. Her care goes well beyond the school day - she is friendly and care as a member of the community and has reached out numerous times during Lilley's hospitalizations and absences.
All in all, Mrs. Haddox has created an opportunity for Lilley to be successful in school in a safe, secure environment. She has put our minds at ease as we navigate this need of her life. Mrs. Haddox is an invaluable member of our team for Lilley.
While this nomination is specific to our daughter. Mrs. Haddox treats each student will the same level of respect and professionalism. She is instrumental in all of the students lives at HMS.
Katelyn Maurer
I am nominating Katelyn Maurer, a dedicated Nurse Educator at Magee Hospital, for her exceptional contributions to healthcare. Katelyn earned her RN degree from CCAC and pursued her Bachelor’s degree in nursing from Capella University during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating her resilience and commitment to growth. Recently, she passed the CNOR (Certified Nurse in the Operating Room) competency exam, further showcasing her expertise. Katelyn has been honored with multiple Preceptor of the Year Awards, reflecting her outstanding mentorship. Patients and staff frequently express their gratitude through heartfelt notes and cards, praising her kindness, dedication, and the excellent care she provides.
Steph Suzadail
Steph has been an unending role model for me as I have learned to be a new flight clinician I met her on Instagram years ago when she first started her blog on how to break into the industry. She helped me prepare for the moment I would qualify by sitting down with me on a zoom meeting and explaining everything I needed to do. When my first interview didn’t go the way I wanted, she helped prep me for the next one. She was a mentor to me as I learned how to navigate difficult preceptors, hard calls, and what felt like unending imposter syndrome. Years later, she still checks in on me and even helped me prepare for my boards! This isn’t an isolated situation— she has helped so many people I know now through her mentoring network get jobs in flight and help them get through the orientation. She contributes to her field by being an item writer for the board exams and is even the chair of the EMS advisory council for the emergency nurses association. She impresses me because she was the 51st person to obtain all the BCEN certifications in the world. Steph is driven but remains humble— she wants to see those around her succeed no matter their field. She truly represents the art of nursing and her empathy and compassion are matched only by her clinical proficiency and patient advocacy.
Amanda Gilmore
Amanda Gilmore is the high school nurse at Quaker Valley School District. Ms. Gilmore is a student-centered advocate who goes above and beyond to ensure students' health and well-being are prioritized. She creates a safe, welcoming space where students feel comfortable discussing their physical and emotional concerns without judgment. Her approach is proactive, identifying student needs early on and working closely with teachers, counselors, and families to address any issues. By advocating for students' needs, whether through health plans, mental health support, or referrals to additional resources, she ensures that every student has the opportunity to thrive in a supportive and caring environment.
She has proven time and time again her commitment to the students, staff, and school community. Her impact goes beyond the school walls as she supports students outside of the classroom.
Awards and Prizes:
- The 8 nurses with the most votes were honored on the ice and got to ride the Fanboni!
- The nurse winners each received 2 game tickets, courtesy of Nurse.org, a pair of Clove shoes, and a prize bundle from NuWest!
