Pride in Our Practice Archive

Thomas Antonini Named Physician Assistant of the Year
New York State Society of Physician Assistants

Thomas has been practicing in the Cardiovascular Surgery specialty since 1984, when he began his career at St. Joseph's. In 2008, Thomas joined the Upstate Cardiovascular Surgery division and remains an asset both to his team and the greater Upstate community.

Thomas precepts many Physician Assistant and Medical students and participates in numerous charity fund raisers and local community organizations. He maintains active memberships in a wide array of organizations including the: AAPA, NYSSPA, AAPACVS, ADK 46'er, and presently is serving as the President of the Central New York Physician Assistant Association. Congratulations to Thomas on a tremendous accomplishment and for continuing to advance the practice of Physician Assistants!

Brian Lancer Selected to Receive
Advanced Practice Clinician Excellence Award

Brian Lancer, NP (Neurology) has been selected to receive the 2012 Advanced Practice Clinician Excellence Award. Brian will be recognized at Upstate's 26th Annual Nursing Excellence Celebration on October 25.

Sari-Ann Yonaty , NP Co-Authors Article Published in Journal of Neuroscience Nursing

Sari-Ann Yonaty, NP (Neurology) co-authored an article, The Educational Needs of Newly Diagnosed Stroke Patients, that has been published in the October 2012 issue of the Journal of Neuroscience Nursing. Click here to read the article.

Congratulations Kathleen Bratt and Maria Lumbrazo
2012 President's Employee Recognition Award Winners

Employee of the Year - Clinical Division
Kathleen Bratt, NP (Joslin Diabetes Center)

Kathy Bratt is a nurse practitioner who has educated and counseled hundreds of young diabetes patients and their families for 15 years.

Her biggest tributes come from those she has cared for. One mother wrote: ‘Kathy gave me the most important piece of advice ever. She said, ‘If you teach your son that he is fragile, he will be afraid to live his life. He needs to do things for himself whenever he possibly can.’”

In this spirited and supportive way she guides her patients – even teaching special classes to prepare teens for managing diabetes in college.

“Kathy has an ideal personality to care for families and children with chronic disease,” said one of her nominators. “She is everyone’s ‘grandma,’ ‘sister’ or ‘mom’.”

In addition to being available for 25 to 30 patients a week, Kathy is an EMT, a member of the Cato Meridian School Board, and active in her church.

This is not her only recent honor. In March, Kathy was awarded the lifetime achievement “Living and Giving” award from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.”

Leader of the Year - Clinical Division
Maria Lumbrazo (Stroke Coordinator)

Maria Lumbrazo is the Coordinator of Upstate University Hospital’s award-winning Stroke Program.

Under Maria’s leadership, the Stroke Program has done more than meet the Gold Standard set by the American Heart Association and American Stroke Association. It has met the Gold Plus Standard — the highest level possible.

In her two years as coordinator, Maria also has maintained Upstate’s certification as a New York State Primary Stroke Center.

That success is based in large part on Maria’s compassion and dedication for our stroke patients — and their loved ones.

She established weekly sessions for family members to meet with clinical staff, and created a Facebook page for families to share questions and concerns.

Maria established awards for her staff, built a solid relationship with EMS providers, and is constantly speaking to community groups about stroke awareness and care.

Her enthusiasm, creativity and follow-through are at the forefront of Upstate’s quest for excellence in stroke care.

Anne Clancy, PA was among those instrumental in helping Upstate University Hospital obtain its recent Gold Plus designation for treatment of heart failure.

Joyce Sauter, NP (Inpatient Cardiothoracic) "Helped save my life. She made me comfortable when I was down and out...."—from recent Patient/Family Comment Card

Sharlene Nemitz, NP (Outpatient Medicine) "Sensitive, thoughtful, thorough. Sensitive to patient issues, serious about the patients health while still maintaining a sense of humor. She is caring, and attempts to resolve medical issues as if they were her own....."—from recent Press Ganey patient survey

Veronica Adist, NP (Inpatient Cardiothoracic) "She did a lot of my dressing changes. She wasn't mean or disrespectful. She took time to actually get to know me. Gave me positive advice....."—from recent Patient/Family Comment Card

Christine Heagle Bahn, NP (Geriatrics) "Very knowledgeable and concerned...."—from recent Press Ganey patient survey

Anne Clancy, PA (Cardiovascular Services) "Excellent care. Cared for me as a patient. Was considerate and knowledgeable about procedure. Thought about post-op care as well...."—from recent Patient/Family Comment Card

Sue Mahar, NP (Pediatric and Adolescent Center) "Sue Mahar is the best. She goes above and beyond for the children. She memorizes a lot of names and issues. She is very concerned. If my child is sick and doesn't have an appointment with Sue, she will pop her head in to check things out. She has a big heart. Surprises me by remembering names and health issues from a long time ago without looking at records...."—from recent Press Ganey patient survey

Stephany Hess, NP (Neurology) "Stephany Hess was top notch. She was very professional amd caring and got the job done ASAP. Stephany explained the treatment in common and rational terms...."—from recent Press Ganey patient survey

Brian Durkin, PA and David Green, PA (Orthopedics) "The PAs David Green and Brian Durkin were also very good...."—from recent Press Ganey patient survey

Thomas Antonini, PA (Cardiothoracic) "Thomas Antonini - excellent medical professional. Very caring...."—from recent Press Ganey patient survey

Pat Brady, NP (Breast Care Center) "She was very thorough with my exam and immediately had me have an ultrasound, extensive mammos and scheduled an MRI...."—from recent Press Ganey patient survey

Dale Petroff, PA (Emergency Department) "Dale was good and attentive...."—from recent Press Ganey patient survey

Bruce Elliott, PA (Neurosurgery) "Bruce Elliott was outstanding with explanation...."—from recent Press Ganey patient survey

Christine Heagle-Bahn, NP (Geriatrics) "We see Christine Heagle-Bahn every visit. She's helpful and listens to the latest developments and has good suggestions...."—from recent Press Ganey patient survey

Pat Brady, NP (Breast Care Center) "Pat has been with me since the beginning and she knows what I have been through. She is great. I have respect for Pat Brady - her warmth and knowledge...."—from recent Press Ganey patient survey

Kathleen Bratt, NP (Joslin Diabetes Center) "We love Kathy - she just puts us at ease - takes care of everything and is also very timely...." —from recent Press Ganey patient survey

Dana Ruth-Setek, PA (Surgery) "Dana was very caring, responsive to my needs. Also did an excellent with my follow up visit...." —from recent Press Ganey patient survey

Marcia Harris, PA (Neurology) "They were the best, especially Marcia T. Harris...." —from recent Press Ganey patient survey

Brian Durkin, PA (Orthopedic Surgery) "Mr Brian Durkin, PA - He was so CARING and explained everything I had questions about, even my daughter (from California) has "praise" for him. He's TERRIFFIC." —from recent Press Ganey patient survey

Heidi Gwilt, PA (Surgery) "Heidi Gwilt, PA - supportive and listened, understanding." —from recent Press Ganey patient survey

Wendy Broton, NP (Palliative Care) "I would also like to thank Wendy Broton, of Palliative Care who made a difficult decision much easier." — excerpt from letter received from family member of patient

Kathy Romano, NP (Medicine/Oncology) and Laura Kilburg, NP (Medicine/Oncology) "were fantastic". —from recent Press Ganey patient survey

Upstate's Super Stars

The following clinicians have been recognized by patients as doing an outstanding job on recent Press Ganey, Non-Press Ganey Surveys and CiperHealth Discharge Calls!

Breast Care Center:
Pat Brady, NP
Cardiovascular:
Veronica Adsit, NP
Anne Clancy, PA
Archie McEvers, NP
Joyce Sauter, NP
Designated AIDS Center:
Lewis Briot, PA
Theresa Feola, NP
Susan Harris, NP
Lorraine Padden, NP
Emergency Medicine:
Lisa Evans, NP
Cara Holohan, NP
William Linsky, NP
Dale Petroff, PA
ENT:
Kelly Winchell, NP
Hematology/Oncology:
Shari Kelley, NP
Laura Kilburg, NP
Interventional Radiology:
Janice Shea, PA
Joslin Diabetes:
Sherrie Bishop, PA
Kathleen Bratt, NP
Medicine:
Eleanor Abel, PA
Catherine Bazan, NP
Donna Berthoff, NP
Sherrie Bishop, PA
Kathleen Bratt, NP
Lisa Cico, NP
Geri Hall, NP
Christine Heagle Bahn, NP
Laura Kilburg, NP
Barbara Lindenmayer, NP
Sharlene Nemitz, NP
Kathy Romano, NP
Eileen Rosecrants, PA
Ann Sweet, NP
Ibrahim Thabet, NP
Neurology:
Stephany Hess, NP
Pamela Kirch, NP
Brian Lancer, NP
Katherine Tornabene, NP
Neurosurgery:
Sarah Dewitt, PA
OB-GYN:
Pauline Devendorf, NP
Orthopedic Surgery:
Brian Durkin, PA
David Green, PA
Jim Hill, PA
Rachel Lutwin, PA
Michael Thomas Weinheimer, PA
Pediatrics:
Kathie Contello, NP
Carol Dawson, NP
Laura Jacobsen, NP
Nancy Mitchell, NP
Sue Sheffield, NP
Leigh Wilson, NP
Psychiatry
Kelly Canfield, NP
Jean Shook, NP
Ann Sweet, NP
Surgery:
Heidi Gwilt, PA
Theresa Kelly, NP
Dana Ruth-Setek, NP
Tracy Vaughn, PAP
Maria Walker, NP
Marguerite Walser, NP
Kelly Werner, PA
Transplant:
Sarah Kantak, NP
Renee Nickerson, NP
Women's Health:
Melanie Pitts, NP
Wound/Ostomy:
Heidi Cross, NP
Jessica Palmer, NP

Ron Walsh, NP (Otolaryngology) co-authored an article, The infusion drain: an approach to treatment of intranasal abscesses, that has been published on PubMed. To read the article click here. APCC Announces 2012 Leadership

• Chair: Carol Dawson
• Co-Chair: Karen Dygert
• Sarah Kantak, Associate Director of Advanced Practice Services

Carol Dawson, NP assures patient receives warm send-off as she returns home to Haiti

Carol Dawson, NP (Pediatrics) helped care for Samantha Cadet, a 15-year old girl from Haiti who came to Upstate's Golisano Children's Hospital for life-saving heart surgery. When Samantha was ready to return to Haiti, Carol, along with the Upstate community and the local Haitian coomunity, came together to give Samantha a fond farewell. Please click on one of the following links to see the story:

• News Channel 9
• CNY Central

Congratulations to Kathy Bratt, NP Joslin Diabetes Center, on being chosen to receive the Living and Giving Award from the Central New York Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). Way to go, Kathy!

Several Clinicians Join Advanced Practice Services

Welcome to the newest members of the Advanced Practice staff:
Anesthesiology:
Joseph Madelone, CRNA
Emergency Medicine:
Anthony Stirpe, PA
Inpatient Medicine:
Donna LaFrate, NP
Kristin Soper, NP
Tracy Stevens, NP
Neurology:
Nicole Rank, NP
Radiology:
Jamie Nelson, PA
Surgery:
Scott Freeman, PA
Olivia King, NP