Page 15 - May 2019 with HCHeroes

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VITAS HEALTHCARE IN MIAMI-DADE COUNTY FLORIDA INTERNATIONAL
UNIVERSITY’S NICOLE WERTHEIM
COLLEGE OF NURSING

Barbara Avila, LPN & HEALTH SCIENCES

Officially, Barbara Avila is a home care LPN for VITAS patients in the Dade-
Monroe area, but her primary role is as a patient advocate. When a patient’s status
changes, it’s up to Barbara to alert the team’s primary nurse. This requires a careful Ellen Brown, EdD,
eye, clinical expertise and a close relationship with the patient—and by all MS, RN, FAAN
accounts, Barbara excels in all three skills.
“Barbara is vigilant in addressing any concerns of patients or families, and Ellen Brown is cultivating
always adheres to our VITAS value, ‘Patients and families come first,’” said Raicely the future landscape of elder
LeonRodriguez, her team manager. care with her nationally recog-
Barbara has been commended by Agency for Health Care Administration nized research in Geron -
(AHCA) surveyors for her strict observation of AHCA regulations when adminis- tological Nursing.
tering medication to VITAS patients. Barbara’s sense of caring and compassion From the National Institute
guide her in every interaction, whether with patients, families or fellow team of Mental Health to local foun-
members. dations, Brown has earned
support for innovations in
Eduardo Noriega, RN geriatric depression care, care-
giver education, and service delivery. She has played a sig-
The sign of a dedicated hospice nurse is evident in the comments and feedback nificant role in developing “CareHeroes,” an app designed
from patients and families. to improve dementia care coordination, support family care-
“Eduardo’s patients and families do not want any other nurse!” says the VITAS givers and increase utilization of community-based
team manager of Eduardo Noriega, RN, a VITAS home care nurse. Numerous letters resources. She was recognized by the American Academy of
and phone calls praise him for his compassion, positive attitude and hard work. “He Nursing’s (AAN) Raise the Voice Edge Runner Program for
is never in a rush and is open to listening at all times. He celebrates all of his creating the Training in the Assessment of Depression pro-
patients’ birthdays with cakes and balloons, and he participates in the preparation gram to identify and treat depression of older adults in
of VITAS veteran salutes at home.” home healthcare settings.
Around the office, Eduardo is known as “Team 139 Superman.” He volunteers to Brown is currently an associate professor of nursing at
work weekends so a co-worker can attend school. When colleagues experience car Florida International University’s Nicole Wertheim College
problems, he steps in as a mechanic. He is a member of the VITAS team for the of Nursing and Health Sciences. She is an elected member
Mercedes-Benz Corporate Run, participates in Relay for Life events and volunteers of the AAN and a founding editorial board member of the
for the Animal Society on his days off. Research in Gerontological Nursing journal.

South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com May 2019 15