The tenth annual Rose Black Nursing Excellence Awards at Central Vermont Medical Center were presented to three women who provide their patients with superior nursing care. Dr. Percy Black, Rose Black’s son, welcomed everyone and gave thanks to today’s award recipients and all of the nurses at CVMC, on behalf of his mother and the Black family.
The nurses honored this year represent CVMC’s hospital, Woodridge Rehabilitation and Nursing, and the CVMC Medical Group.
Edith “Edie” Fontana RN, resident of Barre, works at Mountainview Medical. Edie began her nursing career at the former Barre City Hospital. Over the years in addition to working in the hospital setting she has worked in private practice for several physicians, Doctors Segal, Porter Dale and Peter Dale.
Throughout the years Edie has exemplified what a nurse should be. She is 100% patient committed ----compassionate, nurturing, reliable and dependable. Edie has the ability to put patients at ease, make them feel comfortable and take all the time that is necessary to answer questions and explain a procedure or a new medication.
Suzanne Liff RN, lives in East Montpelier and works in CVMC’s hospital, where she has been employed for over 40 years. Sue has a warm, friendly personality, beloved by co-workers and patients think the world of her. She cares for the whole patient and is not only focused on the technical procedure she is doing. Sue also volunteers at the People’s Health and Wellness Clinic. A nurse with compassion and competence, other nurses say they would choose Sue if they needed care. As Dr. Rohan wrote quite simply, “She’s the best.”
Montpelier resident Wendy Thurston LPN, works at Woodridge Rehabilitation and Nursing. Wendy focuses on the quality of life for the residents she works with, not just the current medical condition. She will take time to sit with an anxious resident and reassure him or her. She is also the nurse who jumps to help co-workers before she is asked. Wendy graduates from Vermont Technical College this spring with an Associates Degree in Nursing and her RN.
Described as calm, confident and funny, “Wendy is a ray of sunshine for the staff and the residents at Woodridge.”