The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing has honored 350 nurses with the prestigious Cameos of Caring Award, since the programs inception in 1999. This year, 18 of the Cameos of Caring Awardees are graduates of the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. Several of these Awardees are highlighted below:
Leah A. Abbott, BSN’06
West Penn Allegheny Health System, Allegheny General Hospital
2008 Cameos of Caring Awardee
Leah Abbott began college as a pre-business major. Her mother had been a nurse for more than 20 years but Abbott believed she was destined for a different career path. As her courses progressed, however, she realized that nursing was her calling.
“Once I started full-time in the nursing program at the University of Pittsburgh, I knew where I naturally fit,” says Abbott. “The science, compassion, and camaraderie of nursing encompassed everything I needed.”
Abbott graduated from the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing in 2006 and is now a registered nurse in the Trauma/Surgical Intensive Care Unit at Allegheny General Hospital. She loves caring for patients as well as their families and feels she has been able to impact their lives with each interaction; by giving support at the bedside, giving progress updates over the phone or sitting with the family to comfort them when they receive devastating news.
She also loves seeing her patients recover. Abbott recalls a patient who suffered a devastating stroke after a car accident. Months later, working out at her local gym, Abbot ran into this patient, still recovering but making significant progress. “I gave her a hug, then walked side-by-side with her on the treadmills,” she says. “Miracles. We witness miracles every day. We’re so lucky.”
Sandy Daisley, MSN, BSN’92
Indiana Regional Medical Center
2008 Cameos of Caring Awardee
Sandy Daisley earned her bachelor degree at the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing and her master’s degree in nursing at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Daisley works in the Rehabilitation Care Center at Indiana Regional Medical Center and is a member of the clinical faculty at Mount Aloysius College, where she teaches principles of adult health I and II in a clinical setting.
Daisley credits her career choice with nurses who impacted her life in a difficult time. “My brother was terminally ill and died when I was 16-years old. Throughout his illness, we were exposed to many wonderful nurses,” she says. “One in particular left a profound impression on me through simple acts of kindness toward me and my family. I hoped one day to be a nurse ‘just like her’.”
“Sandy eagerly shares her wealth of knowledge with others. She is a critical thinker and comes up with creative ways to deal with problems,” says Jill Muir, rehabilitation unit manager.
Jan McCunn, RN, one of Daisley’s coworkers, says “Sandy is an inspiring nurse to work with and an excellent teacher and role model. She has a presence about her that inspires you to do a good job when you’re working with her.”
Kevin Eklund, BSN’89
Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic
2008 Cameos of Caring Awardee
Kevin Eklund, a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, is project coordinator of the Services for the Treatment of Early Psychoses (STEP) research program at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic (WPIC), part of UPMC Presbyterian Shadyside. STEP is a research and clinical program for patients experiencing early signs of a psychotic illness.
An employee at WPIC for 17 years, Eklund started as a nursing assistant on a children’s unit and has worked in the Diagnostic and Evaluation Center as a triage nurse, charge nurse, and admissions nurse. His supervisor, Jennifer Lynn Schneeman says, “Patients and families testify that Kevin’s skills have provided them hope at the commencement and continuum of the recovery process. He is an image and inspiration for staff, patients, and families.” Co-workers say, “Kevin is kind and respectful toward everyone; even when answering his pager in the wee hours, he is just as polite as if he were working his shift.”
“Working with the STEP patients has been very humbling, knowing that illnesses can occur without clear reasons, and without clear answers,” Eklund says. “We can only hope our research will answer the ‘why’s’ and provide the answers one day.”
Elisabeth “Betsy” George, PhD’99, MSN’83, RN, CCRN
UPMC Presbyterian
2008 Cameos of Caring Advanced Practice Awardee
Elisabeth “Betsy” George earned her bachelor’s degree at Penn State University School of Nursing, and her master’s and doctorate degrees in nursing at the University of Pittsburgh.
An advanced practice nurse at UPMC Presbyterian, George is frequently asked to share her expertise in complicated patient care situations, including cases involving ethical decisions or advanced technology. “Her clinical skills are exceptional, and her knowledge of current practice is unequaled,” says Susan Wesmiller, MSN’83, BSN’77 director of nursing education and research.
George enjoys helping novice nurses develop their bedside skills and experienced nurses to become proficient with advanced technologies. “Throughout her career, Betsy has planned and provided care for patients with acute injuries or critical illness in a variety of settings and roles — and mentored others in the same work,” says colleague Frederick Tasota.
As a member in various interdisciplinary hospital committees George collaborates on clinical studies, leadership in initiatives to improve patient outcomes, and collegiality. Outside the hospital she provides instruction in CPR, gives lectures and research presentations at professional conferences, and is an active member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
“Nursing is a caring profession,” she says. “I believe I have a responsibility to lead others to their professional best.”