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HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | OCTOBER 30, 2023 B11 HEALTHCARE HEROES WINNER CATEGORY Nurse Mary C. Christoffersen Yale New Haven Health, Bridgeport Hospital Senior Vice President & Chief Nursing Officer Mary C. Christoffersen, a nurse with more than 25 years in health care, is senior vice president and chief nursing officer at Yale-New Haven Health. Her leadership enhances patient care, fosters employee engagement and drives financial growth. She's known for her dedication to excellence, developing her team, passion for gardening, koi fish and family time. What have been your significant contribu- tions to your organization in the past year? Nursing professional governance is vital in health care, empowering nurses to shape their practice and influence patient care. It fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility among nurses, leading to better decision-making, improved patient outcomes and a culture of continuous quality improvement. It enhances collaboration and account- ability, ultimately creating a more resilient and patient-centered healthcare system. By involving nurses in key decisions and policies, professional governance recog- nizes their expertise, nurtures leadership and ensures the delivery of safe, effective and compassionate care. It's an essential framework that elevates the nursing profession and promotes the well-being of both patients and health care. Tell us about a challenge you were able to overcome. Nursing professional development, in collaboration with our foundation partners, offers innovative pathways for learning and growth. These partnerships provide resources, scholarships and mentorship to nurses, enabling them to expand their skills, embrace new technologies and stay at the forefront of healthcare practices. Together, we enhance patient care and nurse excellence. What's your next major goal and/or challenge? At Yale-New Haven Health Bridgeport, virtual nursing is key to addressing evolving healthcare needs through innovation and technology. It provides a platform for new nurses to learn and grow in technology, while experienced nurses can continue sharing their knowledge at the 'virtual' bedside, promoting a collaborative and tech-savvy healthcare environment. WINNER CATEGORY Nurse Larry Rebich Greenwich Hospital, Yale New Haven Health System Staff Nurse, Perioperative Safety Coach, Operating Room Larry Rebich became a nurse after a career as a senior executive in airlines, media and entertainment. He's known for calming anxious patients by encouraging them to focus on a "happy thought" before falling asleep prior to surgery. His calm, professional, knowledgeable and friendly manner works wonders with patients and staff. What have been your significant contribu- tions to your organization in the past year? One of my jobs in the OR is certification champion, which means I try to make it an easy, simple process for nurses to pursue their professional OR certification. We employed a number of new tactics in the past year to encourage this, and our nurses responded by increasing our certification rate from 52% to 74%. More importantly, the nurses are using this certification process as a guide to becoming lifelong learners, models of competent practice and advocates for excellence and patient safety. We won a 2023 Compass Award from the credentialing organization for our efforts in this regard. Tell us about a challenge in your job that you were able to overcome. I managed our 'Go Clear Smoke Free' project, which eliminated surgical smoke in all operating and procedure rooms. This 18-month project included placement of specialized equipment, new supplies to increase compliance, staff training, physician communication and education efforts and compliance audits. The hospital won a national award, the first in our system to do so. What's your next major goal and/or challenge? Our lead orthopedics nurse wants to develop and pilot an orientation/ onboarding program for surgeons new to Greenwich Hospital. This will ensure that the OR is ready and able to perform the procedure the way the surgeon wants, with minimal surprises, which could then lead to near-miss or preliminary safety events. Personal Side Favorite way to relax: Kayaks, wine tasting, barbecue, garden, hammock, hipster cocktail party playlist WINNER CATEGORY Mental Healthcare Provider Edna N. Rodriguez Trinity Health Of New England Director of Behavioral Health Dr. Edna N. Rodriguez is a clinical psychologist who functions as the director of behavioral health for Trinity Health Of New England. She works alongside a multidisciplinary team, directing the emergency services for patients with behavioral health needs, the adult inpatient units and the Geriatric Well- ness Unit at Johnson Memorial Hospital. What have been your significant contribu- tions to your organization in the past year? We have launched the Geriatric Wellness Unit at Johnson Memorial Hospital. In this 15-bed unit, we can care and address both medical and psychiatric needs of older adults in our surrounding communities. We are proudly helping/educating fami- lies and other community agencies with e-plans on how to care for their loved ones. We have enhanced services for people who use drugs by incorporating harm reduction, including dispensing Narcan and providing education about overdose prevention. We have enhanced the clinical programing offerings in the units to suit a more diverse population admitted to the adult inpatient units. Tell us about a challenge in your job that you were able to overcome. The biggest challenge is creating a culture of understanding and non-stigma for people with behavioral health conditions. With every moment of teaching or case discussion with a professional from another discipline, we get closer to creating a welcoming and understanding environment for people with behavioral health conditions in the health system. What's your next major goal and/or challenge? My biggest goal is to eliminate the separa- tion between medical and behavioral health. This comes with systemic challenges that need to be addressed at the public policy level, and with challenges of reducing stigma among provider commu- nities. I am committed to addressing these issues at a macro and micro level. WINNER CATEGORY Nurse Robin Cracco Trinity Health Of New England – St. Mary's Hospital Clinical Leader Mandell MS Center/ Outpatient Infusion Center Robin Cracco is the clinical leader in the Mandell MS Center and Outpatient Infusion Center at St. Mary's Hospital. She conducts patient navigation, helping patients with referrals and working through the complicated healthcare landscape. She also facilitates insurance validation, works on quality measures and manages staff. What have been your significant contribu- tions to your organization in the past year? The most significant contribution to St. Mary's Hospital, and to the community, during my time here has been participating and playing a role in the development of the Community Care Team (CCT). Prior to the creation of CCT, we did this hands-on work in the emergency department at St. Mary's. Through CCT, we can provide intensive case management and coordinate care for the most vulnerable in our community. In addition, I serve as a clinical instructor for Naugatuck Valley Community College in the department of nursing. Tell us about a challenge you were able to overcome. Caring for patients with chronic, lifelong health concerns is difficult, but developing programs and processes to help them manage a sometimes-debilitating disease is rewarding. Another challenge we strategically managed safely and effectively was coordi- nating my two services, multiple sclerosis care and outpatient infusion, which each have their own unique, specialized needs. What's your next major goal and/or challenge? To bring the love of nursing to a new generation. It is the main reason I teach and mentor students. Nursing is the most -rewarding experience and I love it. It is a passion. If I can get someone to love nursing, like I do, they'll find fulfillment every day.