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University Hospital promotes eight to nursing directors positions

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Eight nurses at University Hospital have been named as nursing directors.

The nursing director positions create a more expeditious decision-making process for nursing issues at University Hospital and provide nurses with greater responsibility in making these decisions. The nursing directors and their service areas are:

Cheryl Babrowicz, R.N., M.S., Cardiovascular Services. She is responsible for the overall clinical/nursing operations of the Cardio-Pulmonary Intensive Care Unit (CPICU), Step-down Unit, Coronary Care Unit, Telemetry floors and the Cardiovascular Diagnostic Laboratories. Babrowicz joined University Hospital in 1982 as a staff nurse in the CPICU and was later appointed as patient service director of the CPICU and the Cardiovascular Step-Down Units. She received a bachelor's and master's degree in nursing from Syracuse University College of Nursing. Babrowicz is a resident of Liverpool.

Sharon Zalatan Klaiber, R.N., M.S., Orthopedics, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Neurosciences at University Hospital. She joined University Hospital in 1980, assuming various positions since then, including staff nurse, clinical nurse specialist, case manager, and nurse manager/administrator. Klaiber earned a bachelor's degree from SUNY Institute of Technology and a master's degree from Syracuse University. She is certified in Advanced Nursing Administration by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Klaiber resides in Eastwood.

Saundra Mnich, R.N., MSN, Nursing Support Services, which includes case management, social work, utilization review, nursing and patient education, nursing recruitment and staffing and administrative supervisor services. An 18-year employee of University Hospital, Mnich began her career as a staff nurse in oncology and general medicine and was later appointed as a nurse manager on a Cardiac/General Medicine unit prior to being named as one of University Hospital's first clinical nurse case managers. She was instrumental in the development of the Clinical Case Management Program and in the creation of the Continuum of Care Department where she most recently served as a director. Mnich received a nursing degree from SUNY Morrisville and a master's degree in nursing from Syracuse University where she completed her studies in the Adult Nurse Practitioner Program. She is certified in case management by the American Nurses Credentialing Center and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, International Honor Society of Nursing. She is co-author of the article, "Managing Hospital Length of Stay Reduction: A Multihospital Approach," to be published in the July issue of The Advanced Practice of Nursing Journal. Mnich resides in Liverpool.

Katharine Mooney, RN, M.S., Surgical Services. Mooney has been employed at University Hospital for 22 years and has held leadership positions for the past 16 years. She received a bachelor's degree in nursing from Keuka College and a master's degree in nursing from Syracuse University. She holds certifications in Critical Care Nursing and in Advanced Nursing Administration. She recently completed the Nursing Leadership program at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. Mooney resides in East Syracuse.

Carrie A. Pulaski, R.N., MBA, Medicine Services. Pulaski joined University Hospital in 1981 as a staff nurse in the medicine and critical care areas following her graduation from Saint Elizabeth's Hospital School of Nursing in Utica. She left University Hospital in 1986, accepting a position as staff nurse at Pottstown Memorial Medical Center in Pennsylvania while pursuing her bachelor's degree in nursing at The Pennsylvania State University. She returned to University Hospital in 1990 and became nurse administrator for cardiology in 1992. She has served as patient service director for a variety of areas including, Medicine, Secure Unit, Vascular Access Team and the Clinical Research Unit. She received her master's degree in business administration from Binghamton University and received designation of Certified Nursing Administration, Advanced. Pulaski resides in Cicero.

Nancy Towne, R.N., B.S., Perioperative Services. She is a graduate of Crouse-Irving Memorial School of Nursing and SUNY Upstate Medical University College of Nursing and holds certification in nursing administration. Towne joined University Hospital in 1989 as a staff recovery nurse and was named an administrative supervisor in 1999. In 2000 she assumed the position of patient service director for the Neuroscience Service Line and in 2004, she returned to Perioperative Services as the patient service director of the Recovery Room, Sterile Processing, Operating Room, Vascular Assess and Hyperbaric Unit. Towne resides in Manlius.

Nancy Shumway, R.N., B.S., continues in her role as nursing director for Pre-Admission Testing, Ambulatory Procedures and the Center for Children's Surgery. A 35-year employee of University Hospital, she has held various nursing and management positions. She played a key role in multiple construction projects at University Hospital as well as in the opening of new patient care areas, most recently the Oliva Louise Pietrafesa Center For Children's Surgery. She received an associate's degree in nursing from Mohawk Valley Community College and a bachelor's degree in nursing from Syracuse University. She is a recipient of the University Hospital Management award for outstanding management skills and the University Hospital Pharmacy award for teamwork and striving for excellence in improving patient care. Shumway resides in Syracuse.

Barbara A. Stachowski, R.N., M.S., continues in her role as nursing director for psychiatric services. She is an experienced nursing administrator in psychiatric nursing and has held positions in nursing education, psychiatric consultation and clinical practice. Stachowski received her education as a registered nurse at Hudson River State Hospital School of Nursing, a diploma program in New York State; received a bachelor's degree in nursing from Syracuse University; and a master's degree in psychiatric nursing from Syracuse University. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International honor Society for Nursing and is certified in nursing administration advanced from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. As a member of the International Society of Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing, she co-authored a White Paper on An Evidence-Based Approach to the Care and Treatment of Individuals with Schizophrenia for the Advanced Practice Nurse. Stachowski resides in Baldwinsville.

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