Upstate celebrates nursing excellence

Among the award recipients are 49 "excellence" winners, plus 19 specialty award winners, including two recipients of the William J. Painter Award for Excellence. Two departments -- the Neurosurgical Intensive Care Unit and the Regional Oncology Center -- will receive environmental services awards.
In addition, 21 nurses will be recognized for professional advancement, 20 for obtaining their certifications; 20 for receiving their degrees; 37 for retiring and one for having a paper published in the Journal of Ultrasound Medicine.
The William J. Painter Award is named for a man who inspired his colleagues while he worked for Upstate, from 1981 to 1993. Each year, the 3R Advisory Group honors William J. Painter by giving an award for excellence in nursing clinical practice and an award in nursing management to recipients who are named by their peers. Each receives $250 and recognition.
This year's recipients are Lisa Brackett, director of patient support services, and Danielle Keller, case manager in the neurosurgical intensive care unit.

This year, Dolan says in her nomination letter, Brackett "worked diligently to develop staffing plans for the coming year which are responsive to the current changes in healthcare reimbursement. Throughout this process she was, as always, steadfast in her commitment to patient care and patient safety."
Outside of work, Brackett is an advocate for animals, working with the nonprofit, Labs for Rescue, an organization that provides new life for rescued or displaced Labrador retrievers. She has four dogs of her own.

Stasior says Keller is "one of the most organizerd persons I have ever met. In rounds, or while working on the floor, she is constantly thinking two to three days ahead, discussing with all staff how are we doing on this or that, managing her patients' care by keepiing everyone involved in patient care accountable."
Outside of work, Keller enjoys outdoor activities including motorcycle, four-wheeler and snowmobile riding. She always wears a helmet.