May 23, 2022

Twenty-seven nurses from University of Maryland Medical System-affiliated hospitals and member organizations have been named as "Excellence in Nursing" winners by Baltimore Magazine.

The nurses represent the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, the Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center, UM Children's Hospital, UM Faculty Physicians, Inc., and the Midtown and Downtown campuses of the University of Maryland Medical Center, the System's flagship academic hospital. Also represented are the University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center (Glen Burnie), the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center (Towson), the University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Medical Center (Bel Air), the University of Maryland Harford Memorial Hospital (Havre de Grace) and the UM Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic Institute (Baltimore City). A winner was also recognized for University of Maryland Medical System.

"The commitment to quality care and nursing excellence demonstrated by these nurses truly makes a difference for every patient across our System," said Mohan Suntha, MD, MBA, President and Chief Executive Officer of UMMS.

Information about the Top Nurses: 2022 honorees

University of Maryland Medical System Honorees

Mary Jane Abalon, BSN, RN
Neurology/Psychology/Behavioral Health
University of Maryland Medical Center (Downtown)

Elizabeth Abbasi, BSN '20, RN*
Management/Nurse Executives
University of Maryland Medical Center (Downtown)

Dana Balassa, RN, OWOCN
Acute Care/Family Practice/General Medicine
University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center

Judy Billings, MSN, RN, CCRN
Intensive Care
University of Maryland Harford Memorial Hospital

Meghan Borkowicz, BSN '19, RN*
Pediatrics: Neonatal
University of Maryland Children's Hospital

Calea Cardwell, RN
Emergency Department
University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health

Leslie Clark, MSN, RN, LBSW
Management/Nurse Executives
University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health

Samantha DeNicola, BSN, RN, OCN
Oncology
University of Maryland Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center

Priscilla Ebone, MSN, RN, CPPS
Acute Care/Family Practice/General Medicine
University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus

Colleen Casey Gaffney, MS '04, CRNP*
Acute Care/Family Practice/General Medicine
University of Maryland Medical Center (Downtown)

Kate Hanold, BSN ’15, RN, CCRN-CMC*
Cardiovascular
University of Maryland Medical Center (Downtown)

Melanie Hansen, RN, BSN
Women's Health
University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center

Rachel Hawkins, RN
Emergency Department
University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus

Lyndsi Hiler, MS '16, MS ’10, CRNP*
Neurology/Psychology/Behavioral Health
University of Maryland Faculty Physicians Inc.

Pamela Jones, MS, BSN, RN, CRN
Acute Care/Family Practice/General Medicine
University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus

Kelly Lambert, RN, BSN, CEN
Emergency Department
University of Maryland Harford Memorial Hospital

Danielle Michalak, MSN, RN, PMH-BC
Psychiatric Nurse
University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health

Nickkola Norwood
Medical-Surgical Nursing
University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center

Nya-Nyo Nfi, MSN, RN-BC
Medical-Surgical Nursing
University of Maryland Baltimore Washington Medical Center

Matthew Piper, BSN '03, BS, RN, RCRN, PHRN*
Emergency Department
University of Maryland Medical Center R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center

Natalie Schafer, RN, BSN
Orthopedics
University of Maryland Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic Institute

Julie Schott, RN, BSN, CHPN
Hospice/Home Health/Palliative Care
University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health

Lindsay Sneller, BSN '15, RN*
Pediatrics: Neonatal
University of Maryland Children's Hospital

Paula Tacka, RN, CNOR
Operating Room
University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health

Areti Matta Walker, MS '10, RN, CCRN*
Pediatrics: Non-Neonatal
University of Maryland Medical Center (Downtown)

Andrew Wisowaty, BSN, RN
Oncology
University of Maryland Children's Hospital

Teri Young, MSB, BSN, RN-BC
Management/Nurse Executives
University of Maryland Medical System

*Indicates the nurse is also a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Nursing

"The University of Maryland Medical System is known for providing outstanding and compassionate nursing care to our patients, and this recognition is further evidence of that," said Lisa Rowen, DNSc, RN, CENP, FAAN, Chief Nurse Executive for UMMS. "Having 27 nurses across our System considered among "the best of the best" in the Baltimore area is a testament to the difference our nurses make in our patients' lives every day. The fact that our winners were selected based on nominations from their peers, nursing leaders from across the Baltimore region and patients, makes it even more special."

About the University of Maryland Medical System

The University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) is a university-based regional health care system focused on serving the health care needs of Maryland, bringing innovation, discovery and research to the care we provide and educating the state's future physician and health care professionals through our partnership with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and the UM Schools of Nursing, Pharmacy, Social Work and Dentistry in Baltimore. As one of the largest private employers in the State, the health system's 28,000 employees and 4,000 affiliated physicians provide primary and specialty care in more than 150 locations and at 11 hospitals. UMMS' flagship academic campus, the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore is partnered with the University of Maryland School of Medicine and is recognized regionally and nationally for excellence and innovation in specialized care. Our acute care and specialty rehabilitation hospitals serve urban, suburban and rural communities and are located in 13 counties across the State. In addition, UMMS operates health insurance plans serving Medicare and Medicaid members. For more information, visit www.umms.org.

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