Celebrating Caregivers Who Help With Heart
The Way We Care Awards spotlight dedication to exceptional patient experiences
Latest Articles
The Way We Care Awards recognize caregivers who have been commended by patients for providing an exceptional experience. These caregivers embody the ChristianaCare values of love and excellence and our service standards through their actions, communication and teamwork in inpatient, outpatient, virtual and home health settings.
President and CEO Janice E. Nevin, M.D., MPH, presented phlebotomist Michele Brown with her award for exemplifying ChristianaCare's values and behaviors. "Michele is the absolute best," a patient wrote. "I always leave so happy I have found such a gifted phlebotomist."
“Today is a celebration of you," said Jennifer Czerwinski, interim chief experience officer. "The Way We Care is about more than doing a job. It’s being heartfelt through small moments and meaningful acts that mean the most – treating others the way you would want to be treated. Thank you for that."
Recipients of The Way We Care awards were selected based on patient experience survey responses and patient letters after their hospital stays or outpatient visits.
These results help ChristianaCare better understand patient experience by recognizing where caregivers are exceeding, ensuring health care expectations are met and identifying areas of improvement, Czerwinski said.
Tiffany Douglas, RN, of Wilmington Hospital received special recognition for excellence in nurse communication. Interim Chief Experience Officer Jennifer Czerwinski presented Douglas with a cool pair of ChristianaCare-branded kicks.
The Way We Care Award winners by category
Click here for the photo gallery from The Way We Care Awards.
Values and Behaviors
These caregivers were recognized for helping with kindness and generosity, showing respect, listening actively and demonstrating empathy.
- Nichelle Belton, Nurse, HomeHealth-Camden
- Michele Brown, Phlebotomist, Concord Health Center
- Donna Draper, Radiologic Technologist, Smyrna Health & Wellness Center
- Katie Gottstein, Physical Therapist, HomeHealth-Smyrna
- John Kime, Nurse, W3M
- Michael Latsch, Physical Therapist, HomeHealth HCC
- Joy May, Respiratory Therapist, Pulmonary Function Lab
- Morgan Roberts, Nurse, MOU-Christiana
- Phillip Scott, Nurse, W6S and WICU
- Jalisa Simpson, Nurse, Postpartum
Matthew Burday, D.O. (left), was congratulated by Kert Anzilotti, M.D., MBA, chief physician executive and president of the Medical Group, for excellence in doctor communication. A patient called Burday and his team "The Calvary ... because they came in with the intent on ensuring I get better, and every person who came into the room was professional, compassionate and so very caring."
Doctor Communication
These caregivers were recognized for explaining things in a way patients can understand, listening carefully, and demonstrating courtesy and respect. The category includes physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
- Jessica Bradley, M.D., Physician, Neurology Specialists
- Matthew Burday, D.O., Physician, Hospital Medicine/Internal Medicine
- Blake Griffitts, Physician Assistant, Christiana Hospital Emergency Department
- Gregory Halla, Physician Assistant, Emergency Medicine
- Neelambari Kerkar, M.D., Hospitalist, CCHP Physician 1 Group
- Michelle Kelly, Chief Advanced Practice Clinician, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute
- Erik Marshall, M.D., Physician, Cardiology at Elkton
- Carlos Reyes, M.D., Physician, Primary Care at Kirkwood
- Jessica Tansey, Nurse Practitioner, Primary Care at MAP2
- Janice Tildon-Burton, M.D., Physician, Women's Health at MAP2
- Jeffry Zern, M.D., Physician, Surgical Services, Wilmington
- Cheng Zhou, M.D., Physician, Critical Care/Pulmonary, Union Hospital
Brianna Castagna, RN, "explained everything in a manner that I could understand," a patient wrote. "I've been in many hospitals and never came across anyone like her." Chief Nursing Executive Danielle Weber, DNP, MSM, RN, congratulated Castagna for excellence in nurse communication.
Nurse Communication
These caregivers were recognized for explaining things in a way patients can understand, listening carefully, and demonstrating courtesy and respect.
- Robin Brayerton, Nurse, Postpartum
- Brianna Castagna, Nurse, C6A
- Jordan Chesley, Nurse, C5E
- Tiffany Douglas, Nurse, W7S
- Michele Evans, Nurse, HomeHealth-New Castle
- Christopher Horne, Nurse, Middletown Emergency Department
- Jessica Kaufmann, Nurse, W4W
- Madison Reese, Nurse Midwife, Women’s Health Elkton
Newark Campus President Amy Marston thanked Kevin Canady, RN, of the Cardiology Short Stay Unit, for exemplifying ChristianaCare's Service Standards. A patient shared that "he always made sure I was okay or asked if I needed anything. You’re very blessed to have him working for you."
Responsiveness of Hospital Staff
These caregivers were recognized for providing help as soon as it was requested and anticipating and assisting with patient needs.
- Abdul Bangura, Patient Care Technician, HVIS Prep and Holding
- Augustin Dauphin, Nurse, W5W
- Gabrielle DeVeglio, Nurse, Neuro Critical Care Group
- Diamond DuPree, Patient Care Technician, W6W
- John Savage, Emergency Care Technician, Middletown Emergency Department
- Azalia Schultheis, Nurse, C7E
- Jenna Tigue, Nurse, Family Birth Center, Union Hospital
Patient care technician Abdul Bangura received his award from Cecil County Campus President Joan Pirrung. MSN, APRN, ACNS-BC, for being responsive to his patients' needs.
Worked Together to Meet Needs
These caregivers were recognized for demonstrating teamwork and communication with other caregivers and positively contributing as a member of the care team.
- Lauren Absher, Patient Care Technician, Union Hospital
- Taylor Cave, Nurse, Christiana Hospital Emergency Department
- John Cheng, M.D., and Roger Liu, D.O., Physicians, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
- Rachael Cortese, Nurse; Mariah Reinmiller, Nurse; Kayla Brown-Nance, Patient Care Technician; Douglas Rowe, Patient Escort, Wilmington Hospital
- Margaret DeMaris and Lesa Anderson, Medical Assistants, Cardiology Consultants at Woodstown
- Alison Neidlein, Nurse; Rick Zock, Physical Therapist; Heather Moser, Physical Therapy Assistant; Kate Sisler, Occupational Therapist, HomeHealth
- Malyne Saint Pierre, Food Service Assistant, Christiana Hospital
Rebecca Wooters of the Smyrna Health & Wellness Center received praise for warmly welcoming patients. “Rebecca is always very pleasant and helpful," a patient shared.
THE WAY Service Standards
These caregivers were recognized for exemplifying ChristianaCare's Service Standards, supporting an excellent patient experience and reflecting our mission, values and behaviors.
- Kevin Canady, Nurse, Cardiology Short Stay Unit, Christiana Hospital
- Brandi Johnson, Physical Therapist, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute
- Kellie Kessler, Nurse Manager, Cardiology Short Stay Unit, Christiana Hospital
- Vera Naumova, Radiologic Technologist, Helen F. Graham Cancer Center & Research Institute
- Kevin Scheler, Physical Therapist, HomeHealth-NewCastle
- Rebecca Wooters, Access Coordinator, Smyrna Health & Wellness Center