During National Nurses Week, Southcoast Health announced its annual nursing awards and scholarship recipients, honoring nurses, certified nursing assistants, health unit coordinators and other staff from across the not-for-profit community health system.

“In 2020, designated as the Year of the Nurse by the World Health Organization, our civilization is facing a crisis that has reshaped nearly all aspects of modern life. But there is one constant: Nurses. Your commitment is steady, and your clinical expertise is calming,” Southcoast President and CEO Keith Hovan told nursing staff. “All of us at Southcoast Health thank you for the wonderful work you do every day. But it’s not just the physical effort we appreciate. It’s more. It’s your spirit and the example you set for others inside and outside of Southcoast.”

Awardees are nominated and selected in five distinct categories: The Spirit of Nursing Award, the Eagle Leadership Award, the Care Team Partnership/Support Services Award, the Medical Staff Partnership Award, and the New to Practice Award.

“This year and at this time, when our staff are giving so much of themselves to care for the patients we are seeing with COVID-19, along with all others, it is especially meaningful to celebrate these individuals,” Chief Nursing Officer Jacqueline Somerville said. “They represent the high-quality care and exceptional service that we are accustomed to throughout all of Southcoast Health.”

The Spirit of Nursing Award recognizes staff nurses who demonstrate excellence in clinical skills, customer service and commitment to patients and families; and serve as professional role models for nurses and as exceptional colleagues, displaying collaboration, teamwork and a positive attitude.

The 2020 recipients:

• Sandra Silva, RN, Charlton Memorial
• Elizabeth Ferreira, RN, St. Luke’s
• Jessica Vinjerud, RN, Tobey
• Mary Finsness, RN, Southcoast Visiting Nurses Association
• Ana Oliveira, LPN, Southcoast Physicians Group

The Eagle Leadership Award recognizes Patient Services leaders who set high standards, live their standards and mentor others, create and share a vision, make hard choices when necessary, are visible and out front and instill hope in others.

The 2020 recipients:

• Susan Lemieux, Manager, Charlton Memorial   
• Kim Pina, RN, Nurse Manager, St. Luke’s

The Care Team Partnership/Support Services Award recognizes the valuable role of a care team member who has exhibited compassion, caring patient advocacy, service and a commitment to quality.

The 2020 recipients:

• Stacy DeSa, CNA, Charlton Memorial
• Patrick Griffin, HUC, St. Luke’s
• Maria C. Joseph, Environmental Services, Tobey
• Deborah Burchill, Revenue Cycle Authorization Specialist, Southcoast Central Authorization
• Staci Cronin, Office Coordinator, Southcoast Physicians Group

The Medical Staff Partnership Award recognizes and acknowledges outstanding physician and advanced practice clinician colleagues who exemplify exceptional teamwork, partnership and collaboration with nursing and other members of the patient care team.

The 2020 recipients:

• Kristina Amaral, NP, Charlton Memorial, General Surgery/Breast Care Center
• Alicia Pimentel, NP, Southcoast Physicians Group
• Sarah Bernier, MD, Tobey
• Nicole Coleman, DO, Southcoast Physicians Group

The New to Practice Award recognizes nurses with up to one year of experience who show enthusiasm in their practice of nursing; demonstrate a questioning and positive attitude, passion for customer service and outstanding commitment to continual learning and growth; represent nursing professionalism; and seek to learn and grow.

The 2020 recipients:

• Molly Mendonca, RN, Charlton Memorial
• Ashley Fidalgo, RN, St. Luke’s
• Katie McCarthy, RN, Tobey

During National Nurses Week, Southcoast Health also awards several nursing scholarships to a select group of nurses. Recipients for this year:

• Rachel Aguiar, RN, Charlton Memorial
• Courtney Cogliano, RN, St. Luke’s
• Christopher A. Ferreira, RN, Charlton Memorial
• Alyssa Franco, RN, Charlton Memorial
• Jennifer Gudmundsson, RN, Charlton Memorial
• Holly Huffine, RN, Charlton Memorial
• Kiana Jeronimo, RN, Charlton Memorial
• Allison Johnson, RN, St. Luke’s
• Keri Mossman, RN, Charlton Memorial
• Maria Neto, RN, Charlton Memorial
• Shelly Paiva, RN, Charlton Memorial