Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children Nurse Wins Award for Extraordinary Work
December 19th, 2007
Nurse Wins DAISY Award After Caring for Infant in NICU
Falls Church, VA— This week Inova Fairfax Hospital proudly presented its first ever DAISY Award For Extraordinary Nurses to a nurse who provides outstanding care for her patients. Katie Herold, RN, a nurse who works in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at Inova Fairfax Hospital for Children, was recognized for the expert and loving care she showed for an infant and his family. This infant spent more than eight months in the NICU, and when he was finally able to go home, Herold presented the family with a video she had made showing snapshots of the infant while at the hospital.
“Katie went above and beyond in caring for this family,” said Patricia Conway-Morana, RN, chief nurse executive, Inova Fairfax Hospital. “It’s important that our nurses know their work is highly valued, and The DAISY Award program is one way for us to recognize dedicated nurses who really make a difference in the lives of patients and their families.”
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation, based in California, was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Barnes died in late 1999 at the age of 33 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), an auto-immune disease. The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses.
Patients, family members and staff can nominate a nurse, and each month the nursing administration at Inova Fairfax Hospital will select a DAISY Award winner. The honoree will receive a certificate commending her or him for being an “Extraordinary Nurse” and a sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Africa.
All of the nurses in the honoree’s unit will also receive Cinnabon cinnamon rolls. This tradition came about from Barnes’ time in the hospital. One day he asked his family to bring him a cinnamon roll plus enough for all of the nurses on his unit. Today, with the help of Cinnabon, The DAISY Foundation carries on this tradition by serving cinnamon rolls to the nurses on the honoree’s unit.
Inova Fairfax Hospital is among 180 hospitals and hospices nationally, and the only hospital in Virginia, committed to The DAISY Award program. Since the program started in 2001 an estimated 2,000 nurses across the country have received the award.
The DAISY Foundation’s overall goal is to help fight diseases of the immune system. DAISY has programs to help fund research to improve treatment and ultimately cure ITP and to provide assistance to ITP support groups. More information is available on their website
www.daisyfoundation.org.
Inova Health System is a not-for-profit health care system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency and urgent care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.
Inova Fairfax Hospital and George Mason University Partner to Fight Breast Cancer
December 18th, 2007
$750,000 Research Study Aimed at Developing New Types of Screenings and Treatments for Breast Cancer
Falls Church, VA – Clinicians at Inova Fairfax Hospital Cancer Center and scientists at George Mason University’s Center for Applied Proteomics and Molecular Medicine (CAPMM) are partnering to take a revolutionary step forward in breast cancer research.
The team will investigate if cancer stem cells — thought to be the driving force behind the development of cancer — are present in the earliest stages of precancerous tumors. This may be the first time living, precancerous human breast tissue has been used in this type of breast cancer research.
This research could lead to:
- new screenings and treatments for breast cancer
- treatment of breast cancer at the pre-invasive stage
- treatment of advanced metastatic disease
- significant changes in how oncologists treat breast cancer.
This research could identify which therapies can be used to destroy or even distinguish the very cell that would go on to cause invasive cancer, said CAPMM co-director Emanuel Petricoin III.
This two-year, $750,000 study is funded by the newly created Synergistic Idea Award offered through the U.S. Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program.
The highly competitive award is given to collaborators for a proposal that addresses a critical problem in breast cancer research, exemplifies innovative research, demonstrates synergy between partners, and has high potential to further breast cancer research or enhance the quality of life of breast cancer patients.
“Working with colleagues at Inova’s Cancer Center offers a rewarding opportunity to contribute to the advancement of public health both in our local area and beyond,” said Dr. Lance Liotta, CAPMM co-director of the project. “Combining their vast clinical experience with our cutting-edge research capabilities will lead to a new era in breast cancer research.”
Inova Health System is a not-for-profit health care system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency and urgent care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.
Inova Fairfax Hospital Re-Verified as Level I Trauma Center
December 13th, 2007
Hospital Passes Re-Verification with Zero Deficiencies
Falls Church, VA— Inova Fairfax Hospital has been re-verified as a Level I Trauma Center by the Virginia Department of Health. State health officials conducted a standard three-year verification review, including a site visit, and found no deficiencies.
The state review team reported that the hospital demonstrated several strengths which include:
- outstanding support of administration and resources devoted to the trauma patient;
- tremendous enthusiasm of the clinical staff toward the care of the trauma patient;
- excellent physical resources for the care of the trauma patient; and
- excellent coordination of care from injury prevention to rehab to integration and reentry into society.
Inova Fairfax Hospital has been designated as a Level I Trauma Center since 1981 and is the only hospital in Northern Virginia with this designation. The emergency department receives about 88,000 patients each year.
Inova Health System is a not-for-profit health care system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency and urgent care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.
Inova Alexandria Hospital Celebrates 135 Years of Service
December 6th, 2007
Serving the Region’s Health Care Needs as the Oldest Community Hospital in Virginia
ALEXANDRIA, VA—Inova Alexandria Hospital will celebrate 135 years of serving the health care needs of the community on Wednesday, December 12. This event will also recognize more than 100 employees that have worked at the hospital for 25 years or longer and honor several City of Alexandria emergency medical services (EMS) personnel for performing beyond the call of duty.
WHAT:
Inova Alexandria Hospital 135th Anniversary
WHEN:
December 12, 2007
11 a.m.- noon
WHERE:
Inova Alexandria Hospital Atrium
4320 Seminary Rd., Alexandria, VA
“Our hospital has been a cornerstone of the community for 135 years,” said Kathy Barry, chief operating officer, Inova Alexandria Hospital. “It’s important for us to take time to recognize the efforts our leaders, supporters, volunteers, employees and physicians have made to bring quality health care to the City of Alexandria.”
Inova Alexandria Hospital, formerly known as Alexandria Hospital, began with a grassroots effort by farmers who donated proceeds from their crops to help construct the hospital in 1872.
During the anniversary celebration, a letter from President George W. Bush will be presented to Inova Alexandria Hospital for the hospitals’ commitment to the health care needs of the Washington, DC, region.
In addition, three local EMS techs will be recognized by Alexandria Mayor William Euille for their heroic efforts on the frontline to save a local patient. The Mayor will also commend more than 130 employees for their long-term service to the hospital.
The hospital’s 135th anniversary is sponsored in part by Inova Alexandria Hospital’s Foundation and its 1872 Society, a volunteer group of hospital supporters.
Inova Health System is a not-for-profit health care system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency and urgent care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.
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