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 Sleepy Hollow, NY - Cheryl Burke, RN, of Mahopac, has received the highest annual nursing award given out at Phelps Memorial Hospital Center in Sleepy Hollow, where she has worked as a clinical nurse specialist in the medical/surgical unit since 2005.
The "Nurse of Distinction" award is given to a nurse based on his/her ability to: deliver exemplary clinical care to patients and their families; serve as a mentor and professional role model to peers; enhance the nursing profession through leadership and teamwork; promote high levels of patient and customer satisfaction; and encourage a positive work environment.
"I am honored to have been chosen as the recipient of the 2008 Nurse of Distinction Award," said Burke. "The healthcare environment is filled with challenges, obstacles and so much to do in so little time. The nurses of today must be smart, resourceful , empathetic and caring. At Phelps, we can touch patients' lives in certain ways which makes their hospitalization a little easier. I am proud to work for an organization and with a nursing staff each day that does exactly this by making the patient and their family the focus of their care."
Burke was nominated by a committee of six of her co-workers, who in a letter describe her as "a true professional and a wonderful role model for all. In her own remarkable way, she ensures that all new staff members start off on the right foot as they begin their careers here at Phelps. Every one of them has become a better healthcare provider because of the time spent with her."
As clinical nurse specialist for the medical/surgical unit, Burke is responsible for the transition of new staff onto the units and for the continuing education of all medical/surgical staff.
Burke was involved in developing the recently designated Stroke Center at Phelps and serves on the Stroke Team. As a member of the team, she is among a group of physicians, nurses and technicians who are immediately summoned to the Emergency Room when a stroke patient is brought into the hospital. The team has been specially trained to treat stroke patients, ensuring that local residents can receive the fastest possible access to quality stroke care.
Prior to joining Phelps, Burke was Chief Operating Officer at Community Hospital at Dobbs Ferry, where she started as Director of Nursing in 1987. From 1975-86 Burke held positions of increasing responsibility at St. John's Riverside in Yonkers, her last as Assistant Clinical Coordinator of the Intensive Care and Step-Down Units.
Burke received her bachelor of sciences in nursing degree and a masters degree in nursing from Pace University. She also holds an MBA in finance from Long Island University. She is currently an adjunct instructor at Pace University in Pleasantville, NY.
In addition to her extensive nursing experience, Burke is Co-Chair of East Coast Assistant Dogs, Inc., a nonprofit organization that raises and trains golden retrievers and labradors to assist the physically challenged or work alongside healthcare providers in hospitals, nursing homes and other outpatient facilities. She and her 8-year-old golden retriever are certified as a pet therapy team and have worked for four years visiting patients in hospitals and nursing homes.
Phelps Memorial Hospital Center is a 235-bed community hospital with 450 medical staff, representing 34 clinical specialties. Phelps is the exclusive Westchester satellite for Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, a clinical affiliate of Mount Sinai Hospital, and a member of the New York-Presbyterian Healthcare System. www.phelpshospital.org
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you knew she was meant to do great things
in this life. No surprises here...