The Lambda Delta Chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society, chartered at Monmouth University’s Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies, has honored five Meridian Health nurses for their superior achievement in the nursing profession.
Margaret “Maggie” Ciocco of Brick, M.S., R.N., B.C., nurse educator at Meridian Nursing and Rehabilitation at Brick, was awarded the Hannelore Sweetwood Mentorship Award, which recognizes nurses who have demonstrated special interest and guidance to colleagues. Award winners are role models who foster talent and development and represent the best attributes in nursing practice. Ciocco was nominated by Vicki DeNoia, R.N., M.S.N., A.P.N., another award winner.
Khalena Anselmo, of Wall, R.N., who is an orthopedic nurse at Meridian Sub-acute Rehabilitation in Wall was awarded the Dr. Carolyn Zagury Scholarship. Anselmo plans to complete her master’s in nursing at Monmouth University.
Alda Valenzuela, of Hazlet, R.N., B.S.N., C.W.S., who is vice president of nursing at Meridian Quality Care, was awarded for her Poster Presentation, The Perceived Level of Hope Among Older Adults Permanently Residing in Nursing Homes. Valenzuela will be completing her master’s program at Monmouth University this year.
DeNoia, of Rumson, and Darry Guli, R.N., M.S., N.P.-C., of Shrewsbury, who are nursing educators for Meridian Quality Care, were awarded for their poster presentation, Shooting for a 5-Star Rating. DeNoia and Guli demonstrated the continued improvement of Meridian’s four sub-acute nursing and rehabilitation facilities.
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the federal agency which administers Medicare, Medicaid, and the state children’s health insurance program, have given Meridian’s rehabilitation facilities 5-star ratings for the past three years.
The awards were presented during Lambda Delta Chapter of the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society’s 21st annual Research Day.
The honor society, which has more than 125,000 members in more than 90 countries, supports scholarship and excellence in the nursing profession.
