Meet Truly Ambitious NP of the Year, Maureen Hogan
Starting her career as an inspired young nurse following in the footsteps of her aunt, Maureen Hogan, DNP, RN, CCRN, AGNP, would soon find a way to inspire others in the same way. Her passion as a registered nurse in cardiology guided her to Northwell Health, where she became a registered nurse in the Critical Care Unit (CCU) at Long Island Jewish Medical Center (LIJMC) in 1994.
Her career has spanned 26 years and today she’s a DNP in the Advanced Heart Failure and Heart Transplant program at LIJMC. As a nurse practitioner, Maureen is as ambitious as she is kind, working to support her patients and her team members. It’s this dedication to care that has earned her the recognition of being the Nurse Practitioner Association (NPA) New York State NP of the year.
Maureen and her team celebrate her NP of the Year win.
“To be recognized by your peers is an amazing feeling. I am truly humbled and honored that the Awards Committee of the Nurse Practitioner Association (NPA) chose me as the recipient of the NPA State Nurse Practitioner of the year and that the NPA of Long Island chose me as the recipient of the Long Island award. There have been so many wonderfully accomplished recipients before me and I am so appreciative to be included in this group,” says Maureen. “It was also so special when my LIJMC cardiology family had a celebration for me with so many kind comments and well wishes.”
It was working nights in the CCU at LIJMC where she gained the incredible experience and built friendships that would carry through her exceptional career at Northwell. “Working as a nurse in the electrophysiology lab, where they have some of the most knowledgeable nurses I know and working on cardiac research provided a wonderful foundation for my NP practice,” says Maureen.
Wanting to grow her career, Maureen continued her education with support from Northwell’s tuition reimbursement program and graduated from the Hunter-Bellevue Nurse Practitioner Program as an Adult-Gerontological Nurse Practitioner. After she graduated, she was hired at the Massapequa Heart Group, which later became part of Northwell Physician Partners. There she worked with wonderful physicians, NPs and support staff who are still like family.
Even though she is now a veteran of our organization, Maureen still considers herself fortunate to take part in programs at Northwell Health that promote her growth and professional development. It was this support that led her to continue her education again, graduating with her DNP in 2014 with the help of her clinical mentor and our tuition reimbursement program.
It was while earning her DNP that Maureen had the opportunity to co-author publications with clinical advisors and conduct an IRB approved study at Northwell entitled, Testing the effect of a Home based exercise intervention on Older Patients with Implanted Cardioverter Defibrillators.
In her current role, Maureen cares for patients in the outpatient heart failure clinic at LIJ with director Dr. Sandeep Jauhar, Dr. Samit Shah and PA Tamara Diaz and on the inpatient service when new and current patients are admitted with heart failure. “I continue to learn so much from my fellow nurses, ACPs and doctors on the Advanced Heart Failure, Mechanical Support and Heart Transplant team,” says Maureen. “It makes me proud to participate in the weekly evaluation and research meetings.”
Having found rewarding opportunities at every turn within Northwell, it has inspired Maureen to help her fellow nurses and team members find their own potential. On top of her duties as an adjunct professor at both Hunter College and Adelphi, she mentors and acts as a preceptor for many students and registered nurses looking to find their way as healthcare professionals. “To have a small part in giving back to the profession is so rewarding,” says Maureen. “It makes me smile when I see them succeeding in their clinical roles.”
And with confidence of her own, Maureen has consistently evolved and demonstrated how commitment, passion and ambition can be the launchpad for taking your career to new heights. “My favorite thing about being an NP at Northwell is being part of a group with so much support and spirit that gives you the feeling you are part of a big 74,000+ member family.”
Discover careers well cared for and explore nurse practitioner and other ACP positions. Get moving at NorthwellCareers.com
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A humble hero of America’s COVID-19 response
Written by: Brian Donnelly
In one 29-hour period, a nurse practitioner assessed and treated some of the earliest COVID-19 patients in the US stuck aboard a cruise ship off the coast of California.
Bouncing back and forth in nautical step with the rough tide of the San Francisco coast, Bryan Lovejoy, DNP, 37, and his eight-person team passed under the Golden Gate Bridge; then the Bay Bridge in a small US Coast Guard patrol boat.
It was March 8, 2020.
“It was actually a nice little cruise when you get right down to it,” Mr. Lovejoy said, despite the sounds of seasickness surrounding him. “There were whales at one point, just kind of jumping around out there.”
Passing Alcatraz, the nurse practitioner at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) — now farther than 3,000 miles from home — knew they were getting close to their destination — a 1,000-foot, 14-deck luxury cruise liner carrying 2,300 passengers and 1,100 crew members. The Grand Princess had been stuck 50 miles off the coast for days due to COVID-19 spreading rapidly among those onboard.
“I was kind of nervous about it. I saw the news,” he said. “The plan at the time was to try to keep this novel coronavirus out of the US as much as we could. Of course, we soon found out community spread was inevitable.”
The father of two and Smithtown, NY, resident is part of a 30-member disaster medical assistance team (DMAT). On behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services, DMAT responds to areas impacted by a health care crisis, like natural disasters, when local response capabilities are impaired.
In 2017 Mr. Lovejoy spent two weeks in both Houston and Puerto Rico in response to deadly hurricanes.
“You just don’t know what you’re going into entirely,” he said. “The situations are very dynamic.”
But, from March 8-9, an eight-person DMAT contingent faced a threat unlike any they had seen before.
“Our main objective was to identify how prevalent COVID-19 was on the ship before taking passengers off,” said Mr. Lovejoy, who joined DMAT in 2007. “Not many people had any experience with this virus yet, and definitely not on a cruise ship.”
Being prepared
Mr. Lovejoy’s coworkers at NSUH saw their first COVID-19 patient March 7, while he was heading out west to his next mission.
“Especially under the circumstances we are in during a crisis, it takes a leader like Mr. Lovejoy to put aside his personal priorities and become actively involved in a life-threatening mission like this,” said Susan Wirostek, nurse manager at NSUH.
There are two months each year during which a DMAT volunteer can be called into service, which is why Mr. Lovejoy keeps a bag packed with some basic necessities.
“You never really get used to it,” said Mr. Lovejoy’s wife, Dawn, 39. “Every situation is different. They’re all anxiety producing in their own way.”
The call for this latest mission came just before midnight on March 6. After spending a day with their kids, Julia, 9, and James, 5, he and Dawn were watching a movie — John Wick 2.
“Sometimes I have very limited notice,” he said, adding he still hasn’t seen the end of that movie. “I’m given my travel orders, I pack my bags and I’m out within a day going to wherever this is.”
Boarding the Grand Princess
Mr. Lovejoy was on a plane by 8 a.m. the next morning. Leaving his family, he said, is often the most difficult part of his work.
“This one definitely stood out as the worst,” Dawn added, “because as time progressed the virus got worse and worse here in New York. I was scared.”
With the Grand Princess in sight, the team of eight braved high swells and dangerous conditions to board a life raft sent to their US Coast Guard transport – the first of two “high consequence, zero margin transfers,” wrote Robert Kadlec, MD, assistant secretary for preparedness and response (ASPR), in a letter of commendation to Mr. Lovejoy.
“After safely boarding the Grand Princess, Mr. Lovejoy quickly demonstrated his clinical competencies and selfless focus on the mission as part of the HASTY rapid triage team, which executed near continuous operations for 29 hours, while wearing bio-containment equipment,” the high-ranking DHHS official wrote.
Jumping from the lifeboat onto the cruise ship ladder, Mr. Lovejoy’s team scaled the massive vessel, rung-by-rung.
“It’s big,” he admitted, quick to downplay the feet. “It didn’t take too long. I just remember thinking, ‘don’t look down and don’t let go.’”
Playing a crucial role
Starting near 7 p.m., Mr. Lovejoy worked through the night and into the next day, performing medical assessments and triage of more than 1,100 US citizens — breaking only for emergency rehydration. Mr. Kadlec wrote that their effort, “played a crucial role in the pre-positioning of critical medical assets, supporting personnel and operational planning by federal, state and local emergency responders.”
With his mission complete, the Grand Princess was allowed to dock and passengers to disembark from the ship. Those that showed symptoms of the virus had to be isolated and those that weren’t had to be quarantined — data now known thanks to Mr. Lovejoy and his team.
“And because of the nature of everything I ended up getting quarantined myself,” said Mr. Lovejoy, whose entire team spent 14 days at the University of Nebraska. “And fortunately we never ended up showing symptoms or getting sick.”
Both in quarantine and upon his return home and to work in late March, the lifelong Long Islander had a heightened fear, Dawn said, of contracting the novel virus.
“I have asthma, so I didn’t know how well I’d respond if I did get it,” Mr. Lovejoy added.
A quiet hero
When he left the Grand Princess March 9, there were 647 reported cases of COVID-19 in America, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). By the time he returned home March 23, there were more than 44,000 cases. That number nearly doubled when he returned to work a few days later.
Knowing this – and his particular risk — Mr. Lovejoy knew, still, where he needed to be. Like walking door-to-door on the Grand Princess, he floated from COVID unit-to-COVID unit at NSUH throughout the crisis, treating the explosion of patients showing up daily.
“When he went on the mission and when he goes to work every day, he knows how vulnerable he is,” Dawn said. “So, I consider him just a quiet hero, leading in his own way.”
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Meet Truly Ambitious Director of Physician Assistant Services Thomas Bily
This blog is part of a series highlighting Northwell Health’s Advanced Clinical Providers (ACP). Each Northwell Health employee was nominated by their leadership as an individual who exemplifies a Northwell Health value.
Throughout his career with Northwell, Thomas has participated in many ACP system initiatives and covered for other clinical services wherever there was a need. While working as a critical care PA at Long Island Jewish Medical Center (LIJMC), he began to volunteer for both clinical and non-clinical responsibilities including becoming a PA clinical preceptor. This was his first opportunity to have an administrative role within the department and it provided him with skills he needed to help him succeed such as coordination, effective communication and organization.
Along with being a PA clinical preceptor, Thomas participated in a critical care microsystem workgroup at LIJMC. These workgroups help improve quality of patient care alongside collaborative workflow. The opportunity helped him further mold his communication skills while building on his ability to take ownership of group projects.
Most recently he’s led the re-design of the Northwell Health ACP Surgical System Orientation. The new orientation was designed to provide a surgical ACP or registered nurse first assistant with the skills and knowledge needed to enter the periOperative environment. “Leading this redesign gave me my first opportunity to lead and collaborate with other ACP leaders in the health system outside my building,” says Thomas.
As Director, Thomas was proud to work with the surgical PAs to develop a 24/7 surgical PA service at Plainview Hospital. “This was a measurable change in culture within the department of surgery at Plainview Hospital. There is more collaboration and education within the department as well as improvement in the quality of care we bring to our patients.”
Alongside his work at Plainview, he has the opportunity to be a part of an excellent surgical and orthopedic team at Syosset Hospital. He enjoys working with each ACP individually to lead them through their careers in any way possible, believing it’s an essential leadership trait to mentor and support your team.
The advice he gives them? “There was a quote that was told to me once that I truly believe in, ‘if you’re always comfortable in what you are doing you will never grow.’ This is what I live my career by and share it with others whenever I can.”
An avid gym go-er, and photographer, Thomas stays just as active and well-rounded in his life outside of Northwell. For him, success is all about finding new ways to inspire himself and others to achieve their best. “Northwell Health has provided me and many other ACPs with opportunities for growth in our careers. Work hard, never be complacent, place yourself in unfamiliar situations, and look for opportunities to be visible throughout Northwell. Believe in yourself and the opportunities will follow.”
If you’re Made for working with a team of exceptional ACPs, explore our opportunities here.
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Meet Truly Innovative Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Diana Bernier
This post is part of a blog series highlighting Northwell Health’s Advanced Clinical Providers (ACP). Each Northwell Health employee was nominated by their manager as an individual who exemplifies a Northwell Health value.
This month, we’re proud to introduce to you Diana Bernier who currently works as a pediatric nurse practitioner for Northwell Glen Cove Physician’s Partners.
Diana started her career at Northwell Health in 1994 as a staff nurse working in the pediatric intensive care unit. From the start, she had a clear vision for her career and knew exactly how she would achieve it. While working in acute care, she was also working to complete her bachelor’s degree in nursing in the RN to BSN program at Stony Brook University – a move that would help set her up for success in the future.
Never one to back down from a challenge, Diana would push herself beyond her job description to learn about other roles within our organization. Her curiosity would lead her to the Division of Allergy and Immunology, where she would learn the ambulatory nursing side of pediatrics. Before she realized, she had spent 10 years in the department and was now a Certified Asthma Educator, working within the community and having a hand in coordinating the startup of the Pediatric Asthma Center.
Diana credits Northwell’s tuition reimbursement program for playing a huge role in her growth. “In 2012, I was accepted into the Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Program at Stony Brook University. The program made it possible for me to achieve this goal,” she says. “The Pediatric Pulmonary Division encouraged my interest in asthma and helped me fulfill the majority of my specialty clinical requirements.”
Proving herself to be not only versatile but a strong asset to the organization, Diana would be asked to take a role as a pediatric nurse practitioner for Northwell Glen Cove Physician’s Partners, a role she’s been in since 2017. “Though I had only considered specialty nursing, I was intrigued by the diversity of primary care and eventually became their first NP in the practice. It was a huge learning curve to shift from specialty to primary care, but my colleagues were very patient and supportive, and I am pleased to say I have been with this amazing team for three years now and feel like I am part of a family.”
Now, the mom of three continues to forge ahead in her career and in her personal life. “I have always had the drive to continuously learn and challenge myself. Challenges have sometimes felt terrifying, but I have learned to push through as experience has taught me that ultimately the rewards make temporary discomfort and sacrifice worthwhile.” This kind of attitude has helped her not only reach her patients in more authentic ways, but it has also helped her demonstrate the role her health plays in the overall picture. Approaching her 18th running marathon, she states, “It’s all about having a plan, working into your life, being flexible but committing to it even when it gets unbelievably hard. Once the goal is achieved, celebrate, and make a new one.”
A model NP at Northwell Health, Diana urges anyone who wants to achieve great things within their field that Northwell is the place to do it. “I am an example of an NP who has the opportunity to practice to the full extent of her professional license every day.” Thank you, Diana, for setting the tone and being a perfect example of what’s possible for NPs at Northwell Health.
If you’re Made for working with a team of exceptional ACPs, explore our opportunities here.
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Announcing our new Advanced Clinical Provider Mentorship Program
In early 2020, Northwell Health launched its first Advanced Clinical Provider (ACP) Mentorship Program cohort. This one-year structured elective program is for new hire nurse practitioners and physician assistants.
The first cohort consisted of 20 mentors and mentees from both in-patient and ambulatory practice environments. The ACPs in the program will develop clinical and non-clinical skills essential to a successful career in healthcare management.
The program aims to enhance the skills development process during the onboarding period for nurse practitioners and physician assistants by emphasizing organization and self awareness. It also aims to bring value to the organization through continuous employee engagement, retention and recruitment of top ACP talent.
As part of our goal to identify and address non-clinical and clinical knowledge gaps for new hire ACPs, reciprocal partnerships will be created with a focus on developing a support system for ACP employees, especially outside their specialty and site. It will also include a focus on transition to practice so ACPs know how and when to advocate for themselves, increasing their autonomy in our health system.
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Meet Truly Ambitious Physician Assistant, Christopher Anderson
This post is part of a blog series highlighting Northwell Health’s Advanced Clinical Providers (ACP). Each Northwell Health employee was nominated by their manager as an individual who exemplifies a Northwell Health value.
This month, we’re proud to introduce you to the Truly Ambitious Christopher Anderson. Chris’s journey at Northwell began in 2013 when he joined Southside Hospital in his first leadership role as a supervising PA for the Acute Care Surgery Team. Chris then moved to the role of assistant director for PA Services. Today, you’ll find him making a true impact in his current role at Lenox Hill Hospital as the senior administrative director of PA Services.
Recently, Chris represented his profession, and Northwell, as a speaker at the American Academy of Physician Assistants, Executive Leadership Conference. His lecture titled, “NP/PA and Physician Leadership Team: It Takes Two to Tango,” addressed fostering the partnership of caregivers across the clinical team. “Physicians have been a large part of my clinical and administrative career growth, and their experiences and mentorship are pivotal in anyone’s growth,” he says. “All clinical team members must remain partners, as the synergistic nature to these interdisciplinary teams is key for high-quality patient care.”
Beyond presenting opportunities, Chris is excited about Northwell’s ACP training and fellowship programs where PAs and NPs are educated and mentored to help them take the next step in their career toward a specific specialty. At Northwell, he feels that “opportunities are endless and, most importantly, fully supported. It’s creating growth of the PA profession and for those looking to transform their careers into any direction they choose in healthcare.”
It’s programs like these that give Chris a great appreciation for Northwell’s emphasis on professional development and career growth: “The opportunities, mentorship, and leadership development programs offered are like no other place that I have worked before. Northwell strives to be a leader and the actions they demonstrate on the development of employees have proven results. I’ve been able to take classes on leadership and six sigma at Northwell’s Center for Learning and Innovation. They also afforded me the opportunity to obtain an advanced degree (MBA) with tuition reimbursement assistance.”
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Meet Truly Ambitious Nurse Practitioner Santpal Chawla
This post is part of a blog series highlighting Northwell Health’s Advanced Clinical Providers (ACP). Each Northwell Health employee was nominated by their manager as an individual who exemplifies a Northwell Health value.
This month, we’re proud to introduce to you Santpal (Paul) Chawla who currently works as a nurse practitioner in the Department of Cardiothoracic (CT) Surgery at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH). Read below to learn more about him and his journey as an ACP at Northwell Health.
Paul started his Northwell career as a registered nurse in Oncology at NSUH. While he loved being able to work and learn from the exceptional nurses there, he knew he wanted to push himself even further in his career.
With this growth in mind and with help from Northwell’s tuition reimbursement program, Paul obtained his Family Nurse Practitioner certification in 2003. “The main reason for becoming a nurse practitioner was that I wanted to challenge myself and further grow as a nurse,” says Paul. “I had no idea how fulfilling this role would become for me.”
Upon becoming an NP, Paul joined the Medicine Service Line. It was there found he was able to combine the compassion and knowledge he gained as an RN with the critical thinking skills of an NP. And after a few years of working as a medicine NP, Paul moved onto to join the CT surgery team – a decision that he hasn’t regretted.
“The support from the CT Surgery team is the backbone of my success here,” says Paul. “I have seen this service grow in ways I never thought imaginable. We have the opportunity to save lives each day because of the resources and dedicated staff. The heart transplant and ECMO programs have challenged my skill sets and enabled me care for the most critically ill patients.”
It’s his combination of compassion and ambition that led to Paul being the most recent recipient of NSUH’s Nurse Practitioner of the Year award. The award is an honor that he considers to be the biggest highlight of his career. “My job in the CTICU is not possible without all the amazing nurses, physicians, PAs and fellow NPs. They have given me the education and tools to succeed,” says Paul. “I have the honor of working with some of the best NPs and PAs here at Northwell and to get this award from my colleagues is an amazing feeling.”
Throughout his career, Paul has always felt his ambition for growth supported by his team, leadership and the organization itself. As he says, “the sky is the limit at Northwell Health.”
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My first year: what it takes to be a nurse practitioner
The road from nurse to nurse practitioner (NP) presents new and exciting challenges, from managing complex care on a new team and oftentimes, working in a new environment. Taking this new path involves stepping outside your comfort zone to follow your passion.
In recognition of National NP Week, we spoke with NPs across our hospitals to get a look inside their journey thus far, including lessons learned and how they’re continuing to grow and develop as an NP.
It involves teamwork
As a new NP graduate, it’s important to communicate effectively with other clinicians on the care team – that includes not being afraid to ask questions and providing support to one another. Scott Snorteland, FNP-BC, from North Shore University Hospital feels a support system is crucial to a smooth transition into the role. “Without the help of my supervisor and my colleagues, I don’t know how I would have gotten through the first month. Teamwork is crucial to your role as an NP,” says Scott.
Merin Jacob, MS, ANP-C, who works in Employee Health Services (EHS) for Lenox Hill Hospital believes teamwork is most effective when you’re working with likeminded people. “Working in healthcare, we all have the same goal – to better the health of our patients and take care of each other. It’s important to put their safety and health first, and it makes it easier when you’re surrounded by those likeminded people who have the same goal in mind as you.”
Get comfortable with being uncomfortable
When you’re faced with new responsibilities and a new work environment, it can be overwhelming. However, it’s important to get past your insecurities, stay positive and be able to accept those new challenges. Meghan Billia, MS, FNP-C, who practices palliative care at Huntington Hospital found having a mentor helped her get through the first couple of months. “It’s so important to have people to go to and ask for advice or bounce ideas off of. My mentor, Nanci Berg, NP-C, was that person for me and really helped me through that transition period.”
A new challenge can also be exciting. Scott went from an RN in pediatrics at Cohen Children’s Medical Center to now working with adults as a family nurse practitioner in cardiovascular and thoracic surgery. “I knew going into this role that it was going to be challenging for me, but that’s partly why I took it. Getting out of your comfort zone and overcoming your fears is how you continue to grow.”
It’s more than clinical work, it’s about making connections
As a NP, making connections with your patients goes far beyond the bedside. You follow patients through a continuum of care – from 1:1 consults in an outpatient office to an inpatient stay, through discharge and back for follow-ups – it goes full circle. You build a sense of trust with your patients and it makes caring for them that more efficient.
Merin says working as an NP in EHS makes her feel like she’s part of a small community. “I spend time talking and building relationships with my patients because I know they may need to come back for follow-ups or new needs. You build a sense of trust with them and it’s a continuity of care outside the walls of the exam room that really makes a difference.”
Continue to grow
Every time you treat a patient, you’re faced with another opportunity to sharpen what you’ve learned. And ongoing education is crucial to being a successful advanced clinical provider. Scott, now seven weeks into his role as an NP, says he’s learned so much and is looking forward to continuing to intellectually challenge himself and advance his career.
“I’m amazed at how much I’ve learned from my first week as an NP to now. Going back to school provided me with the foundation I needed, but it always comes down to the hands-on experience. I’m still learning, and I’m OK with that because it’s how I’ll continue to reach my goals.”
Becoming an NP doesn’t just happen overnight or in orientation, recalls Tova Miller, AGACNP-BC, who practices internal medicine at Forest Hills Hospital. “It’s about understanding what you don’t know and utilizing what you do know. Being confident and continuing to learn helps you understand why we’re doing what we’re doing.”
Let your passion guide you
The hardest days can often leave the greatest impact on your career. It makes you remember why you made the choice to transition into an advanced role and challenge yourself to continue to do better.
“I feel that I’m really making a difference,” says Tova. “I make sure our patients are receiving the best patient care and it’s my goal to get them out of the hospital as soon as possible, and be safe while doing so. As an NP, I know I’m making a positive impact on peoples’ lives and it brings me happiness when I know I’ve done something to improve their quality of life.”
Making the transition is something you have to be ready for, according to Scott. “As challenging as it is some days, it’s equally rewarding. As nurse practitioners, we’re here to be role models and pave the way for higher education for other nurses. I’m excited I took this leap to advance my career and I hope others take the opportunity to do so.”
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Meet Truly Together Physician Assistant Ladise Everett
This post is part of a blog series highlighting Northwell Health’s Advanced Clinical Providers (ACP). Each Northwell Health employee was nominated by their manager as an individual who exemplifies a Northwell Health value.
This month, we’re proud to introduce to you Ladise Everett who currently works as a physician assistant in the Department of Medicine at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH). Read below to learn more about her and her journey as an ACP at Northwell Health.
When Ladise was younger, she always dreamt of working as a caregiver, and when she got to college she realized that a career as a physician assistant was her true calling. Her desire for work/life balance and a family played a huge role in leading her to a career at Northwell at NSUH, where she has worked since 2005 as a physician assistant (PA).
While working within the Department of Medicine, Ladise spends a lot of her time providing care to admitted patients in the Emergency Department (ED). “I feel that I have an amazing job in the ED as a PA because you have the ability to help impact immediate positive change for patients and change outcomes,” says Ladise.
During her time at Northwell, she also has taken on many large projects which has showcased her approach to leadership. Others describe Ladise as a leader who always recognizes every team member on each project, large or small, with a smile and a heart to help. They know her infectious and positive attitude is just one of the many reasons why her team loves to work with her. It was this positivity, along with her dedication to care, that led Ladise to win PA of the Year at NSUH’s 3rd Annual North Star Gala this year.
And her team is with her every step of the way as they togetherness extends beyond patient care to include picnics, holiday parties, fundraising and more. “Our team really supports one another and we have created a family-like environment,” says Ladise. “That is hands down why I would work here as a PA.”
Ladise doesn’t just impact her team with positivity, she also impacts the next generation of healthcare leaders. When she isn’t providing direct patient care, she is working as a preceptor mentoring newly hired physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Ladise says, “by being a role model, you can give back to not only the individual but to future patients by developing that high standard of care.”
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Faces of Oncology Care: Nurse Practitioners and Physician Assistants
The oncology team members at the Northwell Health Cancer Institute provide cancer care to more New Yorkers than any other health care provider. And with so many patients trusting the Northwell Health Cancer Institute for their treatments, our advanced clinical providers are helping make a difference on a large scale. Our nurse practitioners and physician assistants aren’t just helping our patients survive, they’re helping them thrive.
Meet some of our advanced clinical providers below and hear what makes them passionate about working in oncology care.
Working at Northwell for more than 20 years, Keara has dedicated more than half of those to oncology care. As a PA, she embraces the fact that she has the opportunity to change lives of those facing a cancer diagnosis.
“I’m no different from everyone else,” she says. “Cancer touched my life at a young age when my grandfather battled and eventually lost his life due to metastatic colon cancer. That experience changed me in a way that would shape my life.”
Being a PA allows Keara to not only deliver care to her patients, but to be there for them: “In addition to being a part of fascinating scientific discoveries, I am able to ease a patient’s fear and give them hope. I bring smiles, comfort, compassion, hugs and even laughter back into their world. We treat cancer like a chronic illness, not a terminal illness.”
Having worked in oncology outside of Northwell, Keara knows there’s no place like Northwell. “I saw firsthand how differently we care for our patients and their families through unparalleled compassion, empathy and genuine concern. I have had the opportunity to work alongside some of the most wonderful nurses, doctors, and support staff I could have ever hoped for.”
Jennie Hernandez has worked at Northwell for four years at the Monter Cancer Center where she specializes in gynecologic medical oncology.
For Jennie, choosing oncology as her specialty was clear. “I always knew I would end up working in oncology,” she says. “There are a lot of exciting advancements being made and I want to be part of finding a cure for cancer.”
At Northwell, Jennie feels empowered as part of a close team that is always researching and going the extra mile to provide patients with the best care and treatment options. “Working here has helped me develop into the PA I have always wanted to be. The opportunities to help patients with the resources we have are endless and we continue to do more.”
It’s not just innovative treatments and research that makes her job worth it, but the people. In a specialty that can be emotionally difficult, Jennie finds the relationships she develops with her patients are what makes her job so special. “I could not imagine doing anything else because of the relationships I get to create with my patients and their families,” she says. “I feel like they are my family. It’s a close relationship that helps us both get through every day to make the next day an even better one.”
Starting her Northwell career as a nurse in the MICU at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) in 2011, Eva McLoughlin made the decision to return to school to become an NP.
The intricacy of bone marrow transplants piqued her interest in oncology and brought her to Monter Cancer Center after she graduated. There she works delivering care on the bone marrow transplant team: “As an NP on the bone marrow transplant team, I am able to help ensure patients have the best quality of life in their time of need.”
Eva takes pride in the fact that her actions are able to change not only a patient’s condition but their outlook. “Every day I have the opportunity to influence a patient’s life in a positive way,” she says.
With 11 years of nursing experience in breast and gynecologic cancer, Elena Palau knows the difference advanced clinical providers can make for their patients. Starting her career as a registered nurse, Elena is now the supervising nurse practitioner at Monter.
“Oncology is a dynamic practice,” says Elena. “It is difficult for the family and patient undergoing treatment and its related side effects but what is gratifying is that with excellent treatments, you may see the patient’s disease respond.”
At Monter, she finds it rewarding to work with the entire oncology care team: “I work with excellent oncologists, nurses and administrative leaders who value my work, opinion, and leadership commitment. To her the most important part of oncology care is, of course, her patients. “It’s important to make the patients understand that you care and to hear what they are saying. As an NP, I can offer clinical help and it’s very rewarding when treatment is successful.”
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Meet Truly Compassionate Physician Assistant in Orthopedic Surgery Jose Cruz
This post is part of a blog series highlighting Northwell Health’s Advanced Clinical Providers (ACP). Each Northwell Health employee was nominated by their manager as an individual who exemplifies a Northwell Health value.
This month, we’re proud to introduce you to the Truly Compassionate, Jose Cruz who is currently a physician assistant in Orthopedic Surgery at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) in Manhasset, New York. Read below to learn more about Jose and what it’s like to be an ACP at Northwell.
Jose began working in Orthopedics at NSUH in 2015, after completing several surgical rotations as a PA student within the Northwell Health system. His career has been a journey inspired by his interest in exercise science and sports medicine. He was introduced to the profession by a professor who was his mentor and he became motivated to pursue PA studies by shadowing a family friend who was already an orthopedic PA.
“I always knew I wanted to work in a hospital setting, especially in a trauma center,” says Jose. “I knew that working at NSUH would provide me an opportunity to see a broad variety of patient issues, and that this would keep me on my toes and continuously learning.”
Jose credits his colleagues among the Northwell clinical team for making every day engaging and fun. He enjoys the innovation and diversity at Northwell, and working for this health system makes him feel part of the evolution of health care.
“I have grown a lot since I first started here. I feel I am constantly changing, growing and learning from interacting with patients. I would definitely recommend other PA’s considering a career in this geographic region to work for Northwell. It is not only a very strong and stable health system, but they’re also progressive.”
The reason that Jose has been recognized for his compassion is simple. As he says, “I treat all of my patients as if they were family. I have a lot of very positive patient experiences and memories.”
We’re proud that Jose is part of our team. If you’re Made for working with a team of exceptional ACPs, explore our opportunities at Northwell Health.
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Meet Truly Ambitious Plastic Surgery Nurse Practitioner Nicole Sweeney
This post is a part of a blog series highlighting Northwell Health’s advanced clinical providers (ACP). Each Northwell Health employee was nominated by their manager as an individual who exemplifies the Northwell Health values.
Nicole is approaching her first year as a nurse practitioner at Northwell. However, she brings a breadth of knowledge and years of experience to the workplace every day. After receiving her master’s degree and becoming a nurse practitioner, she went back to become a registered nurse first assistant. It was this move that provided her with a variety of experience and helped develop her passion for working in the operating room. “I loved being in the OR and wanted to continue that aspect of my career as an advanced clinical provider,” Nicole says. Assisting in the operating room provided Nicole with a fresh and unique perspective, one that she would eventually carry over into every room she’d enter.
Years later, the triathlete and busy mom of a 5-year old finds her home at Northwell. She made the decision for a number of reasons but notes, “It was time for an institutional change for me in order to work closer to home.” Northwell Health offered her the flexibility she needed after realizing long commutes to the city were taking precious time away from her family.
And though there are many health systems on Long Island, Nicole felt the direction Northwell was taking its organization was one that was innovative and forward-thinking, and she wanted to be a part of it. “I feel that Northwell Health exemplifies the values I find to be vital – delivery of exceptional patient care, innovation through research and education, and dedication to the staff who make Northwell great,” she says.
Now, 8-months into her practice, she absolutely loves working as an NP in plastic surgery because of how her role is and how versatile her role asks her to be. She says, “Plastic surgery is one of the only specialties that treat many areas of the body from head to toe.” Which means, no two days can ever truly be the same.
Northwell offers unique opportunities for each employee to learn and grow, and for someone as ambitious as Nicole, it’s the perfect situation. Nicole says, “As an NP new to Northwell I look forward to utilizing all the health system has to offer including wellness programs and continuing education opportunities,” adding, “There are so many resources available for staff to grow and flourish!” We know Nicole’s future is bright at Northwell and can’t wait to see how she advances her career here.
All of us are proud of Nicole, a Truly Together ACP! If you’re Made for working with a team of exceptional ACPs, explore our opportunities at Northwell Health.
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Explore Nurse Practitioner and Physician Assistant Careers at Northwell Health
Whether you’re a physician assistant or nurse practitioner, you’ll enjoy tremendous professional autonomy, extensive resources and nearly limitless opportunities at Northwell Health. Watch the video below to hear from some of our Advanced Clinical Provider (ACP) team members about careers and why you should join our team.
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Meet Truly Together Cardiology Nurse Practitioner Kareem Nugdalla
This post is part of a blog series highlighting Northwell Health’s advanced clinical providers (ACP). Each Northwell Health employee was nominated by their manager as an individual who exemplifies a Northwell Health value.
This month, we’re proud to introduce you to the Truly Together, Kareem Nugdalla, who is currently a cardiology Nurse Practitioner at Southside Hospital in Bay Shore, New York. Read below to learn more about Kareem and what it’s like to be an ACP at Northwell.
Kareem started his career with Northwell in 2013 as a registered nurse on the telemetry unit at North Shore University Hospital. From there, he became certified as a cardiac vascular nurse and then took the next step in his career by accepting a full scholarship as part of the inaugural class of the Hofstra Northwell School of Graduate Nursing and Physician Assistant Studies. “My managers encouraged me to become a nurse practitioner and my co-workers supported my dream,” he notes. “Team members have come up to me and said I was their inspiration for going back to school. There was never a roadblock, everyone embodied the ‘Truly Together’ spirit.”
Upon graduating, Kareem became an adult gerontology acute care nurse practitioner and works as a key member of a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary team at Southside Hospital.
What Kareem likes most about working at Southside is the high level of respect and trust that encourages collaboration between all members of the healthcare team, particularly in his relationships with his physician and physician assistant counterparts. Kareem feels that Truly Together collaborative care creates an environment where ideas can be shared and his input is valued. “When everyone works as a team, you can tackle problems by coming up with solutions together. If there is a challenge, I never leave a team member to face it alone. Even if I don’t have the answer, I look for the answer with them.”
Kareem is also proud that his role significantly impacts his local community in a positive way. To him, being part of Northwell is about delivering more than just healthcare; it’s taking care of his own community. “There is a moral compass and a culture of care that drives us to excellence,” says Kareem.
We are proud of Kareem, a Truly Together ACP! If you’re Made for working with a team of exceptional advanced clinical providers, explore our opportunities at Northwell Health.
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Meet Truly Ambitious Neurology Practice Nurse Practitioner Nichole Lopez
This post is part of a blog series highlighting Northwell Health’s advanced clinical providers (ACP). Each Northwell Health employee was nominated by their manager as an individual who exemplifies a central Northwell Health value. This month, we’re proud to introduce you to the Truly Ambitious Nichole Lopez, a nurse practitioner (NP) in one of Northwell Health’s neurology practices, who recently earned her Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP). Read below to learn more about Nichole and what it’s like to be an ACP at Northwell.
Nichole Lopez started her healthcare career working as a hospital volunteer at age 16. By 18, she’d become an LPN. From there, she continued to invest in herself and her education, earning her Family Nurse Practitioner degree. It was then that Nichole first joined Northwell as a neurology pain and headache NP.
What Nichole likes best about being a nurse practitioner at Northwell is having the autonomy to provide patient-centered care that treats a patient holistically. Her desire to provide the best quality and access to care is what inspired her to earn her DNP degree.
A degree Nichole says wouldn’t have been possible without the growth and career development opportunities at Northwell. “Not only did Northwell provide financial support through their tuition assistance program, my colleagues supported me as well,” says Nichole. Throughout her DNP program, physicians, administrators and nurse practitioners alike provided encouragement and helped her reach project goals.
“With healthcare continuously changing it is extremely important for nurses who possess critical knowledge, to continue their education in order to ensure the best outcomes for patients,” advises Nichole. “It makes me feel terrific when I can inspire others to continue their education with the support provided by Northwell.” And that includes her own family!
Nichole’s oldest daughter is currently following in her footsteps and is entering her second year of her nursing education. “At my graduation ceremony, my daughter made a statement,” shares Nichole. “She said ‘Mom, watching all of your hard work and determination both academically and clinically is what inspires me to work hard and strive for greatness.’”
We know Nichole is proud of her daughter … and we are equally proud of Nichole, a Truly Ambitious ACP! If you’re Made for working with a team of exceptional advanced clinical providers, explore our opportunities at Northwell Health.
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Meet our Truly Ambitious PA Jennifer Megale
This post is part of a blog series highlighting Northwell Health’s Advanced Clinical Providers (ACP). Each Northwell Health employee was nominated by their manager as an individual who exemplifies a central Northwell Health value. This month, we’re proud to introduce you to Jennifer Meagle, Supervising Physician Assistant in the Department of Surgery/Surgical Critical Care/Otolaryngology at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH), who is a “Truly Ambitious” member of our team. Read below to learn why and explore ACP job opportunities at Northwell Health here:
Jennifer Megale, dog lover, athlete, and world traveler, loves an adventure. When she’s not addressing critical care needs as PA Supervisor at NSUH, she spends her time with her Rhodesian Ridgeback Penny, scuba diving and snowboarding all over the world.
Her adventure in health care began in 2011, following her college graduation and the start of her career as a per diem Surgery PA and soon full-time at NSUH where she worked for several years.
Jennifer returned to Northwell as Surgery PA Supervisor in 2018 and says it’s where her heart belongs. “What I have always loved about NSUH is the sense of family. Even though we are a large hospital everyone has always been so welcoming and transparent, including administration. You don’t see this very often at other large health systems. The organization is always looking for ways to help their employees grow and succeed,” says Jennifer.
As a Surgery PA Supervisor, she has been responsible for building a new total parenteral nutrition service, setting up a bioskills surgical course for PAs, and working on a robotics training course. Jennifer is continuously looking for ways to improve patient care, encouraging PAs to take on a more proactive role in their education and skills development. Jennifer says, “This past year, I arranged for a surgical physician assistant’s Bioskills lab, where PAs are learning to build on their operative and suturing skills. Making PAs more confident in their own ability truly helps them to adequately care and address all of the concerns of our patients.”
Surgical PAs at NSUH assist in minimally invasive robotic surgery. During robotic surgeries, PAs function as the bedside assist. Jennifer explains, “we are needed to change instruments, troubleshoot and use an assist port to help with the operation. Robotic surgery provides a number of benefits to the patient including less trauma to the body, minimal scarring, and faster recovery.”
Jennifer’s great adventure isn’t only in the OR. She’s an avid traveler with the intention of visiting every continent over the next five years, and with only three left to go, she’s almost reached her goal! She says, “I’m an intense snowboarder and I checked heliboarding off my bucket list two years ago at Whistler Mountain in Canada. To be dropped off at the top of a mountain by helicopter was exhilarating, to say the least!”
For Jennifer, providing Truly Ambitious care is her next great adventure. Are you Made for working with exceptional Advanced Clinical Providers like Jennifer? Explore your career opportunities at Northwell Health.
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Meet our Truly Compassionate PA Chris Summers
This post is part of a blog series highlighting Northwell Health’s Advanced Clinical Providers (ACP). Each Northwell Health employee was nominated by their manager as an individual that exemplifies a central Northwell Health value. This month, we’re proud to introduce you to Chris Summers, PA, QA, education coordinator and critical care specialist, who is a “Truly Compassionate” member of our team. Here’s why:
At Northwell Health, our Advanced Clinical Providers have the resources and support they need to follow their passions, wherever they lead. Chris Summers’ passion for delivering Truly Compassionate care led him from a career in the Coast Guard to one as a physician assistant in the operating room, the classroom, and into disaster areas throughout the world.
Chris started his career as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard where he was mostly involved in maritime search and rescue as well as counter-narcotic operations in the high seas of the North Atlantic. After the Coast Guard, Chris became a paramedic on the streets of New York City, eventually studying to become a physician assistant (PA). At Northwell Health, he found an environment where veterans were especially valued for their experiences and values. “Northwell Health is very pro-veteran. The health system values their experience and expertise and understands how that can translate into a veteran becoming a superior member of our healthcare team. Northwell has many programs available to assist veterans to integrate into the civilian healthcare sector and there are many veterans who are valued team members in every level of the organization,” says Chris. The healthcare experience Chris has built along his career path across a variety of Truly Compassionate positions led him to Northwell Health.
His journey with Northwell Health began in 2006 when he was hired right out of PA school to the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery at Long Island Jewish Medical Center (LIJ). In this position, he was assigned to the CTICU where he cared for critical patients who required cardiothoracic surgery or were recovering from surgery. Chris then transitioned to the operating room, where he learned how to assist in all aspects of cardiac and thoracic surgery as well as advanced bedside procedures. “In the operating room, I am a valued member of the surgical team and directly contribute to the positive outcome of our patients,” says Chris. “It’s very gratifying to be able to apply my knowledge and skills to advance the healing and treatment of our patients and to work within a supportive team environment.”
Chris enjoys that ACPs in the cardiothoracic surgery department can work at the very top of their license and are given a large amount of responsibility. They can be found anywhere from the operating room assisting in the most complex surgeries, to the floors managing the daily needs of recovering patients.
Once he became a critical care specialist, Chris felt the call to share his knowledge with his peers. Northwell recognized Chris’ gift for teaching with a promotion in 2016 to Quality Assurance and Education coordinator, which included coordinating various aspects of staff education such as a lecture series for the Thoracic Surgery service line.
Chris’ Truly Compassionate nature takes his work outside of Northwell and into the world to care for people in the most critical situations. Chris is the co-founder of NYC Medics Global Disaster Response, a team that provides a rapid expeditionary style of emergency care in disaster zones throughout the world. NYC Medics travel into remote regions by whatever means necessary to set up clinics and assist those in need, treating tens of thousands of patients of hurricanes, tsunamis and earthquakes. “I’ve spent most of my career in some form or another in service to others and have taken care of people in a wide variety of situations. These experiences taught me that whether on a sinking ship at sea, in a disaster zone in some far-off country, on the streets of NYC or in an operating room, we all are equally susceptible to disasters, disease, trauma and the suffering these bring.”
For Chris, Truly Compassionate patient care is always at the forefront of his mind and helps him to be a better PA.
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Learn more about our hiring experience.
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© 2021 - Northwell Health
Click here to view the “EEO is the law” poster.
It is Northwell Health’s policy to provide equal employment opportunity and treat all applicants and employees equally regardless of their age, race, creed/religion, color, national origin, immigration status or citizenship status, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, sex/gender, gender identity, gender expression, disability, pregnancy, genetic information or genetic predisposition or carrier status, marital or familial status, partnership status, victim of domestic violence, sexual or other reproductive health decisions, or other characteristics protected by applicable law.
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