Quality Employees

An award-winning hospital depends on exceptional employees. Judging by the many diverse honors presented to Crouse Hospital over the past several years, it’s evident our employees live our mission, vision and values each and every day, no matter in which area of the hospital they work. They go the extra mile for our patients, their families, physicians and fellow staff members. They are the heart and soul of our organization.

At Crouse, recognition of staff excellence does not occur just a few times a year; it’s an ongoing emphasis – an integral component of our overall culture.

Joan Fernbach Kingson Award

This annual cash prize is made possible by the family and friends of former Crouse Hospital patient Joan Fernbach Kingson, a nurse and educator who passed away in 2001. Syracuse University professor Eric Kingson was her husband and is the author of Lessons from Joan, Living and Loving with Cancer, a Husband’s Story.

Service or technical workers at the hospital are nominated by their peers and then selected by a committee for their involvement in the patient care process that gives vivid expression to the values of care that the late Mrs. Kingson was committed to in her work with children and families. Those values include treating each patient as an individual; respecting the social, emotional, intellectual, spiritual, and physical needs of others; and welcoming families, especially the young, into the caring process.

Our Joan Fernbach Kingson Award-winning employees are:

2024
Breyah Ogletree
Environmental Services

2023
Theresa Clute
Recovery Care Center

2022
Ryan Courtright
Physical Therapy Assistant

Bridget Busia
6 South Irving

2019
Maudie St. Denis
Commonwealth Place

2018
Jessica Faltisco
5 North/Recovery Care Center

2017
Melba Burwell
4 South Irving 

2016
Joanne Brzostek 
6 Memorial

2015
Alyce Ligoci
Environmental Services – ICU

2014
Danielle O’Meal
Miron Cardiac Care Center

2013
Gabriella Davis
8 Irving – Labor & Delivery

2012
Paula Knaub
Commonwealth Place

2011
Peter Neiner
Medical Imaging

2010
Joanna Brown
Endoscopy

2009
Marie Hinds
Nutritional Services

2008
Evelyn Comer
4 South Irving

Mildred Webb
Environmental Services

2007
Nancy Hutchings
Nutritional Services

Etta Tarver
Environmental Services

2006
Warren Hughes
Oncology

2005
Helen Bain
ICU

Umeshchandra Patil Family Educational Award

The Umeshchandra Patil Family Educational Award provides up to $3,500 to a nurse or technician who wants to pursue continuing education, professional development and training in the area of surgical services. The award is presented annually. Crouse employees interested in learning more about the award should contact the Crouse Health Foundation at 315-470-7702.

2023

Meghan Boyce, RN
Madison Irving Surgery Center

Casey Caruso, RN
Madison Irving Surgery Center

Christina Canavan, RN
Madison Irving Surgery Center

2019
Brenda Harrison, RN
Witting Surgical Center – PACU

2018
Kathleen Murphy, RN
Madison Irving Surgery Center

2017
Nicole Cook, MSN, RN, CNOR
Surgical Services

2016
José Antonio Vargas 
Witting Surgical Center – Endoscopy 

2015
Christopher Connelly, RTR
Witting Surgery Center

2014
Margaret Rienhardt, RN, CAPA
Madison-Irving Surgery Center

2013
Alysia Ziemba
Witting Surgery Center

2012
Diane Shaw
Madison-Irving Surgery Center

2011
Dawn Jolly, CST
Madison-Irving Surgery Center

2010
Susan Britt, RN, CAPA
Madison-Irving Surgery Center

2009
Shannon June, RN, BSN
Main Operating Room

2008
Christine Cummings, RN
POB Surgery Center

2007
Beth Applegate-Debo, CST
POB Surgery Center

2006
AnnMarie Kazmirski, RN, CNOR
Main Operating Room

2005
Daniel Dow
Main Operating Room