Organization of Nurse Leaders of New Jersey Recognize Hackensack Meridian Raritan Bay Medical Center’s Kathy Taylor with 2020 Professional Recognition Award
October 19, 2020
The Organization of Nurse Leaders of New Jersey (ONL NJ) announced that it has selected Hackensack Meridian Raritan Bay Medical Center’s director of nursing organizational effectiveness, Kathy Taylor, DNP, RN, CCRN, CAPA, for its 2020 Professional Recognition Award. This award recognizes Kathy’s nursing leadership on making a significant impact on nursing, with the Tree of Peace.
“Kathy goes well above the call of duty each day,” said Jane O’Rourke, chief nursing officer, Raritan Bay Medical Center. “Her commitment to her team help enhance the level of care to our patients throughout the community.”
In a busy unit, there are many things happening at the same time. While one patient and family may be celebrating their recovery and transfer off the unit, another patient may be in the process of passing away and the family is in mourning. Not all team members are aware when a patient has passed away or when their passing is imminent.
The Critical Care nursing team came up with the idea of placing a battery-operated cherry blossom tree at the nurse’s station. When a patient has passed, or their passing is imminent, the tree is lit. The moment a team member walks onto the unit, the lights of the tree are prominent, and they are immediately made aware that a patient is in the process of passing away. This causes the team member to pause and take a mindful moment to be respectful of what the family is going through.
The cherry blossom tree represents the fragility and the beauty of life. Although they do not last long, when they bloom, they bloom in brilliant force and this serves as a visual reminder of how precious and how precarious life is. It's a reminder that life is almost overwhelmingly beautiful but that it is also tragically short.
The Tree of Peace was initially trialed in the intensive care unit (ICU) and critical care unit (CCU) at Raritan Bay Medical Center Perth Amboy and in ICU at Raritan Bay Medical Center Old Bridge. It was so popular that the med-surg units requested that they also have the Tree. More Cherry Blossom Trees were ordered and are now in use at both divisions - all ICU, CCU, ED, Med-surg and telemetry units for a total of 13 units. The Tree of Peace is now in the process of being implemented throughout the Hackensack Meridian Health network.
“I’m honored to be selected to receive this award,” said Kathy Taylor. “I want to especially thank Linda Lopazanski, MSN, RN, CCRN, nurse manager for critical care who originally came up with the Tree of Peace. The Tree of Peace is truly a team effort.”
ONL NJ has been the professional organization for nursing leaders in their quest for a united voice in representing nursing administration and management in all practice settings and is inclusive of the engagement of all nurse leaders and aspiring nurse leaders in the state. ONL NJ is committed to ongoing professional development, creating and sustaining formal and informal nursing mentorship opportunities at all levels, and mapping the future of safe patient care delivery in New Jersey. The Nursing Leadership Awards will be presented at a virtual ceremony on December 4, 2020.