TRINITAS NURSES RECEIVE HONORS FOR PROFESSIONALISM, COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES, CAREER GROWTH
Excel in leadership and commitment to nursing field

Nursing professionals on the staff of Trinitas Hospital begin 2007 with awards and accolades for their contributions to the hospital and to the community and for their potential to achieve leadership positions in the profession.

"Our nurses continue to distinguish themselves not only in the excellent patient care that they offer, but in their commitment to advocating for best practices, to educating the nurses of the future, to encouraging awareness of nursing as a rewarding career, and to serving the community through unselfish volunteerism," notes Bernadette Countryman, Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations, and Chief Nursing Officer, adding, "They are a tribute to the mission and tradition of Trinitas Hospital."

Mary Lebreck Kelley, MSN, MEd, RN, CNE
Dean of the Trinitas School of Nursing and Director of Education at Trinitas Hospital, Mary Lebreck Kelley has been named a recipient of a 2006 Nurse Recognition Award from the New Jersey League for Nursing.

A graduate of Boston College, Dean Kelley has held the academic leadership position at Trinitas School of Nursing, formerly the Elizabeth General Medical Center School of Nursing, for the past 36 years. During Dean Kelley’s tenure, the Trinitas School of Nursing has achieved outstanding academic results with its students. Since 1990, 97 percent of the school's graduates have passed the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX) for registered nurse licensure on first writing.

In addition to her leadership responsibilities, Dean Kelley teaches undergraduate nursing courses and participates in and directs the Student Intern Program at Trinitas Hospital. She has collaborated with the College of Saint Elizabeth to offer the RN/BSN program, and a BSN/MSN program at Trinitas Hospital.

In collaboration with Union County College, Dean Kelley developed and implemented a Cooperative Nursing Program as well as a full-time evening division in the nursing program at Trinitas Hospital.

Dean Kelley is co-author of The Culture of Learning and Understanding Cultural Diversity, Culture, Curriculum and Community in Nursing. The Philippine Nurses Association has recognized Dean Kelley for her commitment to supporting nurses and student nurses of diverse backgrounds.

Dean Kelley also holds Master’s degrees from State College of Salem and Seton Hall University.

Mary McTigue, RNC, MA
The Patriots’ Path Council of the Boy Scouts of America named Mary McTigue, Director of Nursing, as an honoree at its annual Tribute to Women Luncheon that celebrates women who are outstanding role models for youth in Central and Northern New Jersey. Mary has held leadership positions on the state, regional and national levels with the Association of Women's Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses (AWHONN), the most recent being that of National Secretary-Treasurer from 2004 - 2005.

Mary is Vice President of the Board of Directors for the Gateway Northwest Maternal Child Health Network in Newark. She also volunteers as a member of the Domestic Violence Response Team of Central Union County, coordinated by the YWCA of Eastern Union County.

Mary directs the patient care activities of Maternal Child Health, Critical Care and Perioperative Services with more than 300 nurses and support staff reporting to her. She received a Diploma in Nursing from the Elizabeth General Hospital and Dispensary School of Nursing, an Associate in Science degree from Union County College, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Kean University, and a Master of Arts degree from New York University.

Elizabeth Corshu, BSN, MS, and Sharon Sledge, MA, MS, RNC
The New York University Leadership Institute for Black Nurses (LIBN) has selected Elizabeth Corshu, RN, Nurse Manager, and Sharon Sledge, RN, Program Manager of the Bloodless Medicine and Surgery Program, as 2007 Nurse Fellows. Elizabeth and Sharon were selected from a very competitive candidate pool to be included in the group of only 20 nurses from the New York metropolitan area, working in such varied areas as administration, clinical training, infection prevention and control, patient care services, psychiatry, and radiation oncology, who were named LIBN Fellows. As nurse manager of the Renal Medical Surgical patient care unit, Elizabeth supervises the nursing care of patients with End Stage Renal Disease, Congestive Heart Failure and other medical disease processes. As manager of the Bloodless Medicine and Surgery Program, Sharon collaborates with administration and nursing leadership to establish procedures for non-blood management and further serves as a liaison between physicians and hospital staff with patients and their families who seek the benefits of this alternative medical care.

Established at the NYU College of Nursing, the LIBN program assists African-American managers to envision and achieve career goals in administration, education, and research. The program consists of six monthly sessions that address topics such as individual effectiveness, quality of leadership life, teamwork and career development, evaluating the impact of project outcomes, and economics of health care. The program fosters awareness of individual educational and career potentials by offering valuable lessons about networking and negotiation that are rarely taught in school or on the job. Each Fellow is partnered with an African-American nurse mentor for community health projects that they undertake.

Elizabeth received her Bachelor’s degree in nursing from Bloomfield College. She obtained her Master of Science degree in Health Administration and Community Health Education from New Jersey City University. Sharon received her Bachelor’s degree in nursing from Herbert Lehman College in Bronx, NY and holds Master’s degrees from New York University in nursing administration and health services management.

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Posted: January 22, 2007

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