Celebrating Our Nurses | Meet Some Champions of the Human Spirit

To all our DKH nurses - thank you for all you do.

All of our nurses are Champions of the Human Spirit! In honor of National Nurses Week we're featuring just a few of these everyday heroes. Perhaps one or more of them has cared for you or a loved one? Learn more about them below and join us in recognizing the significant and special role that nurses play in helping to provide not just health, but care...

Carol Artiaco, Cardiopulmonary Rehab
Debby Blackmer, Med/Surg
Judy Favreau, Case Management 
Meghan Frederick, DKMG Family Medicine, Danielson
Tammy Gervais, DKMG Pediatrics, Plainfield
Kate Mackenzie, Behavioral Health 
Melissa Owen, DKMG Internal Medicine, Dayville
Brenda Senecal, ICU
Denise Spirito, Hematology/Oncology
Laura Stonebreaker, Patient Care Services 
Denise Wesolowski
Donna Zurowski, HomeCare


 

Carol Artiaco, RN
Clinical Coordinator, Cardiopulmonary Rehab

Years as a nurse: 26

Years at DKH: 26

Town of residence: Putnam

What do you love most about being a nurse?
Truly making a difference in people’s lives and being appreciated for doing so. Teaching patients how to take better care of themselves and seeing them do so is very rewarding. Also, I have met so many wonderful and interesting people during the many years of working at DKH.

What do you love most about the team you work with?
They are dedicated and compassionate. Truly professional and very hard working. AND LOTS OF FUN!!!! My second family.

What do you love most about Northeast Connecticut?
Knowing so many people in the small community. It still has a rural atmosphere but many opportunities available are close by.

What has been your most memorable experience in your job as a nurse?
That is a hard one. There are many and can’t say just one that sticks in my mind right now. I feel blessed that I was able to become a nurse and work at Day Kimball with so many great coworkers and still enjoy my job after all these years.

 

Debby Blackmer, RN
Medical/Surgical Unit

Years as a nurse: Almost 4 years as an RN

Years at DKH: Almost 11 years as a DKH employee

Town of Residence:  Woodstock, CT

What do you love most about being a nurse?
What I love most about being a nurse is being able to influence and make a positive difference in my patient’s day at the moment of my care. Patients on the Medical/Surgical Unit are of all ages and are here for many different reasons from emergency surgeries, elective surgeries, infections, respiratory and cardiac conditions to hospice care. In this variety of ages and medical conditions, I am able to advocate and practice quality nursing care to promote the best outcomes and healthcare for each patient. When I have made my patient’s difficult situation better in some way, then I have succeeded.

What do you love most about the team you work with?
What is not to love about the team I work with? We all have the same goal of providing the best quality patient care. This team on Med/Surg that I work with daily from my coworkers of nurses, patient care technicians, physical/occupational therapies, dietary and discharge planning, work tirelessly to provide this care. They are encouraging, supportive and sometimes entertaining to each other on and off the unit, providing a great environment of teamwork to get through some of the toughest of days. Seeing this team go above and beyond for a patient or each other in a time of greater need is not unusual. I am thankful for all of them.

What do you love most about Northeast Connecticut? 
Northeast Connecticut is my home. I grew up in Brooklyn and went to school in Danielson. I live and raised my family in Woodstock. I have had many different careers prior to nursing; coached for WPTP; and have participated in local volunteer fire departments over many years. Being able to work and provide nursing care in my home community for the benefit of the many in my community, priceless.

What has been your most memorable experience in your job as a nurse? 
My most memorable experience in my job as a nurse has repeated many times. It is always when a patient or family member has recognized me from another aspect of the community and made a personal connection with me that decreases their stress level and provides increased comfort in the care they or their family member will receive. Or, similarly, when a patient is admitted to the hospital and greets me with a hug and excitement of relief that I will be caring for them. When this happens, I am reminded that I have chosen the right profession.

Judy Favreau, RN, CCM, CPHM 
Case Management

Years as a nurse: I started at Matulaitis Nursing Facility as a nurse’s aide when I graduated high school in 1970.

Years at DKH: 44years (Not counting when I volunteered as a Cherry Aide.)

Town of residence: I have lived in Woodstock most of life.

What do you love most about being a nurse?
RN Case Managers are able to meet with patient’s and families to discuss plan of care and discharge needs. We conference with the Physicians, nurses, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech, dietary, and occasionally pharmacy. It is very rewarding planning elaborate transfers or discharges when patient’s own choices have been met.

What do you love most about the team you work with?
Most of the team has worked at DKH for quite a while and have roots in the community. They are a great group of people to work with—very dedicated.

What do you love most about Northeast Connecticut?
It’s a great place to raise a family. Most of my family and friends are local.

What has been your most memorable experience in your job as a nurse?
I have had so many great experiences daily it is had to single any one out. Just last night after a Credit Union meeting, I was having a patient’s family member follow me around the parking lot in my car to find the ED entrance, assist the patient into a wheel chair to be brought into the ED, and have her follow me to the parking area. There were a few extra laps around the lot but she was so appreciative of the help.

Meghan Frederick, LPN 
Day Kimball Medical Group, Family Medicine, Danielson

Years as a nurse: 6

Years at DKH: 4

Town of residence: Brooklyn

What do you love most about being a nurse?
Knowing that when I wake up every morning that I will make a difference for at least one person-even if it’s something small.

What do you love most about the team you work with?
My team in Danielson is truly awesome- every single person in my office goes above and beyond every day to ensure that our patients and happy (and healthy ?). They are team players and make going to work every day enjoyable. Everyone is always willing to pitch in and help where needed without a complaint. And our doctors are top notch and so great to work for. I consider myself very lucky to work with each and every one of them.

What do you love most about Northeast Connecticut?
I have lived here in NECT pretty much my whole life. I went away to Ohio for my undergrad and there was always this wonderful and familiar feeling about coming home to your roots. Being able to work within in the community really awesome. I think working in the community you live in really allows you to give back in a special way. You have knowledge of local resources available to solve community needs and it allows you to invest in your community and the people who live in it in a truly important way.

What has been your most memorable experience in your job as a nurse?
This is a tough question because there are so many times I can think of, the moments where you think “this is the reason I became a nurse”. This will probably sound cliché’ but I would have to say the first time I did CPR on someone and they came back to us. The realization that you took part in literally saving someone’s life in such a tangible way is pretty unbelievable.

Tammy Gervais, LPN 
Day Kimball Medical Group, Pediatrics, Plainfield

Years as a nurse: 25

Years at DKH: 19

Town of residence: Moosup

What do you love most about being a nurse? 
My patients, I have met and continue to meet the most amazing people. I have had the opportunity to watch many children grow up and begin families of their own. It is very rewarding to know that they trust you with their precious children.

What do you love most about the team you work with? 
The Plainfield Medical group recently merged Pediatrics, Internal Medicine and GYN. I love that everyone has different skills and experience that they are willing to share with the team. I feel fortunate to be a part of this new group.

What do you love most about Northeast Connecticut? 
I love living in this close knit community. I often have the opportunity to see my patients out in the community with family and friends. It is a pleasure to work and live in the same town.

What has been you most memorable experience in your job as a nurse? 
I will always remember when a young teen expressed her desire to become a nurse, so that she could be just like me. I always hope to inspire others to follow their dreams and to succeed.

Kate Mackenzie, RN, MS, APRN Student 
Clinical Nurse Manager, Behavioral Health

Years at DKH: 10

Town of residence: Putnam

What do you love most about being a nurse?
The opportunity to assist others in promoting/maintaining optimal health and function

What do you love most about the team you work with?
I work with many talented professionals woth different specialties that all collaboratively work together with the pt. to determine best possible plans of care; leading to great outcomes!

What do you love most about Northeast Connecticut?
My family and friends as well as living in a wonderful community setting such as Northeastern CT

What has been your most memorable experience in your job as a nurse?
Too many to list! It is a great career with many opportunities!

Melissa Owen, LPN
Day Kimball Medical Group, Internal Medicine, Dayville

Years as nurse:  9

Years at DKH:  7

Town of residence:  Dayville

What do you love most about being a nurse? 
The thing I love most about being a nurse is the ability to make a difference in a patient’s or family member's life.  As an office nurse, I don’t get to “save lives” by working on codes, or bring babies into the world.  What I do get to do though is become a part of their lives.  When you are the nurse in an office, you become a constant presence--patients and family members get used to you.  They let you in and come to trust you.  You become a part of their “story.”  Whether it is big or small, simple or complex, I get to make a difference in someone’s life each time I step up to work as a nurse. 

What do you love most about the team you work with? 
What I love most about the team I work with is our ability to laugh!  Work is nothing but work unless you are surrounded by fun loving people who truly care about one another.  Working in the medical field can be tough……some days just a little chuckle can turn a bad day into a good one. 

What do you love most about Northeast Connecticut? 
What I love most about living/working in Northeast Connecticut is our small, tight-knit community.   I love that in a small town, you’re one big family.  You know everyone in town, and everyone knows you.  “In a small town you’re one big family, but in a large city you’re just a face in a sea of faces.”

What has been your most memorable experience in your job as a nurse? 
My most memorable experience in my job as a nurse…..would have to be getting a card from a patient to thank me for coming in on my day off to do a nurse visit for her.  (There was an issue with time as she was leaving for vacation.)  I didn’t have any plans on my day off, so I offered to come in for her.  Nothing big for me, but to her, it “saved” her vacation.

Brenda Senecal, RN
Clinical Coordinator, ICU

Years as a nurse: 35

Years at DKH: 35

Town of residence: Putnam

What do you love most about being a nurse?
Being a part of the team that helps a critical patient improve and leave the hospital

What do you love most about the team you work with?
Everyone helps each other and we all collaborate and seek each others advice and expertise in the care of our critical patients

What do you love most about Northeast Connecticut?
This is a beautiful area to live in. I can look out the window in our staff lounge and see a bald eagles in the sky. I love the compassion and caring I see in our community hospital-patients are not just a number or diagnosis.

What has been your most memorable experience in your job as a nurse?
I remember vividly saving a patient who had a cardiac event. When she became conscious she thanked me for saving her life and proceeded to explain to me that she had been standing by the window and had watched the whole event - she actually described what I had done. I have never forgotten that patient. Being named a Nightingale and Employee of the Year were also great experiences and validated my love of nursing.

Denise Spirito, RN 
Hematology/Oncology

Years as a nurse: 11 years

Years at DKH: 4 years

Town of Residence: Foster, RI

What do you love most about being a nurse?  
I love the passion I have for my job! I feel honored to be able to care for my patients and be there for them through one of the hardest times in their life. An important lesson I’ve learned as an Oncology nurse is to value every day. I think nursing is a very honorable profession.

What do you love most about the team you work with?
The team I work with is a very fun and dedicated bunch! Because we deal with life and death, we help each other and care for each other as we face daily challenges. Nurses love to laugh so there is always comic relief or a shoulder to cry on, depending on what’s happening that day.

What do you love most about Northeast Connecticut?
I really enjoy working in NECT and getting to know the community that we care for. I feel we have the opportunity to really get to know our patients and develop relationships. There really is a “family feel” at DKH which makes for a great atmosphere.

What has been your most memorable experience in your job as a nurse?
The experiences of being an Oncology nurse cannot be described in one experience or story. I have memorable experiences with so many of my patients – they all touch my heart. The patient’s I care for fight with a tenacity I have never seen before. They radiate a feeling of hope that cannot be measured so anything I can do for them makes me a stronger person. But…when patients and their families tell you that they appreciate what you do for them, that’s pretty awesome!

Laura Stonebreaker, RN, BSN, LNC 
Patient Care Services, Clinical Informatics

Years as a nurse: 35

Years at DKH: 19

Town of residence: Sutton, MA

What do you love most about being a nurse?
There is something new every day, a new encounter, a new problem to tackle or learning something new. There is a wide variety of opportunities in the nursing field to pursue most any passion. Clinical experience, teaching, research, administration, holistic care, informatics, legal nurse…the list is long and opportunities are plentiful!

What do you love most about the team you work with?
Collaboration and the opportunity to work with a wide variety of disciplines across many departments

What do you love most about Northeast Connecticut?
I love the community hospital setting, I don’t live in Northeast CT but Day Kimball is a my working community

What has been your most memorable experience in your job as a nurse?
30 years in critical care and emergency nursing afforded many memorable experiences. Applying experience, training and education in the ER or trauma room helping to turn around a bad situation is very rewarding.

Denise Wesolowski, RN, ADN
Maternal Child Health

Years as a nurse: 18 Years

Years at DKH: 15 Years

Town of residence: North Grosvenordale

What do you love most about being a nurse?
Serving my immediate community.

What do you love most about the team you work with?
I love the team I work with! The shared work ethic, communication, and skill set epitomizes ‘teamwork’. Whether it’s an acute crisis or simply routine care, we work together seamlessly. We are a family, and will always be there for one another!

What do you love most about living/working in Northeast Connecticut?
I choose to work and raise my family in the beautiful ‘quiet corner’!
I enjoy the art, music, and restaurants, First Fridays downtown, and the proximity to both the beaches and the mountains. I find it extremely rewarding to be active in and closely connected to the community we serve here at Day Kimball Hospital.

What has been your most memorable experience in your job as a nurse?
I remember being a relatively ‘green’ nurse. It was the middle of the night, and I had a preterm twin gestation mom come into triage with significant bleeding. It was a life or death situation for the patient, and some very difficult decisions needed to be made. I will never forget the way our whole team pulled together to care for her. Between the Ethics Committee who returned the MD’s call in the wee hours of the morning, the MD who sat tenderly at the patient’s bedside to explain her options, and my peers who supported me as I provided nursing care, I knew at that moment this was a very special team of caregivers. Teamwork on MCH is multidisciplinary, and extends beyond the nursing floor. I haven’t experienced a better team anywhere else.
 

Donna Zurowski, RN 
HomeCare

Years as nurse: 8 years

Years at DKH: 8 years

Town of residence: Brooklyn, Ct

What do you love most about being a nurse? 
Being able to educate my patients and empower them to be more active in their own care.

What do you love most about the team you work with?
I love the support, compassion, pride, and high standards of care that I am surrounded by each and every day.

What do you love most about Northeast Connecticut?
Small rural community, yet close to places like Providence and Worcester .

What has been your most memorable experience in your job as a nurse? 
Finding one of my patients extremely ill at home, and while waiting for the ambulance to arrive, and trying to keep him comfortable he looked up at me and said “Your title should be changed from Registered Nurse to Angel.” I’ll never forget the sincerity and gratitude in which he said that.