Two Windham Hospital Nurses Nominated for Excellence in Patient Care
Since 2001, the Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing has celebrated outstanding nurses and advanced nursing professionals throughout Connecticut. Originally developed by the Visiting Nurse Association of South Central CT, the program seeks to “encourage retention, inspire future nurses, focus public attention, and recognize the scope and possibilities of nursing practice at the local level.” Tamre Fontaine, RN, and Barbara Garceau, RN, of Windham Hospital were two of the 43 nurses in Eastern Connecticut who received 2009 Nightingale Awards.
“The Nightingale Awards ceremony is a wonderful event, where peers honor the achievements of their colleagues,” said Hospital President and CEO Dick Brvenik. This year’s ceremony was held at the Mystic Marriott Hotel and Spa on April 30th, and featured keynote speaker Richard Blumenthal, Connecticut Attorney General, who commended the award-winners for their “commitment and devotion to the truly essential profession of nursing.”
Fontaine has been a nurse since 1988, and has focused her talents on patient discharge planning. Upon her nomination, Fontaine commented, “Nursing is one of those professions where you do not really expect to be rewarded for all you do. I feel honored and appreciated. It truly helps when you work with such great staff.” Devoted to her profession, Fontaine volunteers her time and expertise to the Integrative Health and Hospice Services in her spare time.
Garceau has been a nurse for nearly 30 years and has never stopped striving to improve patient care. She says, “Making a difference in a patient’s life is what matters.” Garceau’s career has taken her into many aspects of the profession: Med/Surgery, Oncology, Hospice Care, Operating Room, and Infection Control. On receiving the Nightingale Award, Garceau commented, “I am grateful for the recognition and am pleased to have my peers share the dedication and compassion I have for my patients with the community.”
Windham Hospital is an acute care community hospital that has provided quality health care services to eastern Connecticut for more than 75 years. For more information about Windham Hospital services, visit www.windhamhospital.org.
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