Two Jefferson Health – NJ Nurses Receive March of Dimes ‘Nurse of the Year’ Awards

Pictured are Angelina McCurdy and Deborah Keller (Photo provided).

Two Jefferson Health – New Jersey nurses were recently honored with March of Dimes Nurse of the Year awards at a special event held in Old Bridge, NJ.

The program recognizes NJ-based nurses in 12 different categories who exemplify an extraordinary level of patient care, compassion and customer service.

Jefferson Health was honored to have 10 nominees this year, three of whom moved into finalists in their respective categories.

Jefferson Health – New Jersey’s March of Dimes “Nurse of the Year” winners are:

• Angelina McCurdy, MSN, RN, APN, CMSRN, of Turnersville, NJ, won in the Adult Care category. A clinical nurse in the per diem pool at Jefferson Health – New Jersey, McCurdy was instrumental in the organization’s success on its recent journey to Magnet designation. She worked on data, graphs, and educating the staff about Magnet designation. McCurdy’s passion for excellence makes her a role model for other nurses engaging in lifelong learning.
• Deborah Keller, BSN, RN, RN-C, of Sewell, NJ, won in the Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU) category. Keller, who recently established a Safe Sleep protocol for the NICU at Jefferson Washington Township Hospital, was the founding chairperson of the NICU Unit Council and is highly engaged in shared governance. She is also a champion for healthy, safe lifestyle practices for shift workers.

Along with the two Jefferson Health – New Jersey Nurse of the Year winners, James Hillis, BSN, RN, CCRN, of Little Egg Harbor, NJ, was one of six finalists in the Adult Care category. As a Charge Nurse based at Jefferson Washington Township Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU), Hillis is an inspiration to his peers, encouraging them to strive for excellence each day.

Remaining Jefferson Health Nominees for Nurse of the Year awards were: Paula Greenbaum, MSN, RN, CMSRN, RN-BC, of Cherry Hill; Tracey Dzierzgowski, BSN, RN, NE-BC, of Sewell; Catherine Boiler, RN, of Medford; Amanda Sannelli, RN, of Haddonfield; Carol Strosser, BSN, RN, PCCN, of Sewell; Christine Levin, BSN, RN, CMSRN, of Hammonton; and Gabrielle Umosella, BSN, RN, of Hammonton.

Jefferson Health, home of Sidney Kimmel Medical College, is reimagining health care in the greater Philadelphia region and southern New Jersey. Jefferson’s dedicated team of doctors, nurses, health professionals and staff provides a range of primary to highly-specialized care through 14 hospitals (seven Magnet®-designated for nursing excellence), more than 40 outpatient and urgent care locations, the NCI-designated Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center, Magee Rehabilitation and the JeffConnect® telemedicine program.

U.S. News & World Report recognizes Jefferson’s academic health center, Thomas Jefferson University Hospitals, Inc., with 10 specialties receiving a national ranking for the 2018-2019 report. Jefferson Health’s mission is to improve the health of those patients and communities it is privileged to serve through safe, effective, equitable, compassionate care.