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MEMORIAL HEALTHCARE SYSTEM

MEMORIAL REGIONAL HOSPITAL MEMORIAL HOME HEALTH SERVICES

Amanda Imler, RN, BSN, CNRN, Chakaya Lozano-Rexach, RN
SCRN
Chakaya Lozano-Rexach had already been a nurse in
hospitals for 18 years when her own daughter required
Amanda Imler is a nurse in the neurology unit at a visit to an emergency room within the Memorial
Memorial Regional Hospital, most often working with Healthcare System. It was an experience that changed
patients that have had strokes, traumatic brain and the course of her career. “I was so impressed with the
spinal cord injuries. While the clinical and rehabilita- compassionate service we received. It was then I knew I
tive aspects of getting those individuals back to their wanted to be part of that.”
highest level of functioning is critically important, so A home health nurse for the past two years, Lozano-
too is the mental side of recovery. Rexach appreciates the opportunity to learn everything
“We care for patients in the acute setting, and it’s about her patients and treat more than just their medical
rewarding to educate them and their families on what condition. “They’ve invited you into their safe space, so
can be accomplished moving forward after a traumatic it’s important to develop trust and deliver great cus-
event,” said Imler. “There is great satisfaction in seeing tomer service. We do that by understanding their culture, needs, family dynamics, and
and hearing how we’ve helped them adapt to a ‘new normal.’” living environment. It all has to be conducive to the patient’s well-being.”
Imler has been part of the 7 South team at Memorial Regional for the past five Lozano-Rexach has won awards for her approach to care and now passes that
years and considers the unit her second family. “Every day is different and our cul- knowledge to new nurses she onboards as a preceptor.
ture is what I most appreciate. I am continuing my education as a nurse practitioner
and plan on staying in the neurology field, hopefully within the Memorial
Healthcare System.” Jennifer Schumacher, RN

Jennifer Schumacher has been part of the Memorial
Healthcare System for three years, with the last 12
MEMORIAL HOSPITAL PEMBROKE months coming as a home health nurse. She had previ-
ously worked in hematology/oncology.
The switch to caring for patients in their home has led
Amy Madison, RN, CWCA
to the development of new skills, with creativity
required when resources are available but the hospital
Amy Madison has been a nurse at Memorial Hospital structure is not. The ability to assess an individual’s over-
Pembroke for nearly two decades and has cared for all health status is critically important as is the willing-
patients in a variety of units, including telemetry, hos- ness to adapt a plan of care to what is being seen on-site.
pice, intensive care, and, for the past nine years, as an “Accountability is the key to this type of nursing,”
inpatient wound care specialist. In that role, she works Schumacher said. “You’re your own case manager,
with diabetics, those with pressure injuries, surgical patient and family advocate, and have to be a person
wounds, circulation-related issues, and sickle cell who’ll go the extra mile to ensure needs are met.”
patients, educating them about wound prevention, care A nurse preceptor, Schumacher has won Memorial’s Patient First Award twice, been
strategies, and the importance of protein to the healing a Daisy Award nominee, and a Memorial Angel.
process.
Nursing has been top-of-mind for Madison since she
was a child, when she witnessed the care her mother
received before passing away. Of her nearly 20 years at Memorial Hospital Pembroke MEMORIAL PRIMARY CARE HALLANDALE OFFICE
she says, “We treat patients how you’d want your own family to be cared for. Ours is
a smaller hospital, the interaction between doctors and nurses is excellent, and we’re
all treated well.” Tracey Borden, LPN

For 20 years, Tracey Borden, LPN, has served the
Mary Meneses, RN, MSN
healthcare profession in a variety of roles and all for the
purpose of ensuring that patients were compliant with
Mary Meneses is a nurse manager in the their treatment plans.
surgical/telemetry unit at Memorial Hospital Pembroke, She joined Memorial Healthcare System 13 years ago
a place she has grown as a professional and calls home. and has enjoyed connecting with patients and being an
Meneses worked as a bedside nurse for two years intricate part of their treatment plans. She appreciates the
before spending the same amount of time as a clinical whole continuum of care the healthcare system provides
manager. She says the transition to an administrative and its patient-centered care philosophy that involves
role has been a smooth one. “I know all the shifts, patients and their families in health care decisions.
understand their workflow, and what the nurses need to Borden, who serves at Memorial Primary Care’s
be most efficient. That experience enables me to provide Hallandale Office, works the operational side now specializing in case management and
advice, fix problems, and help improve day-to-day oper- emergency department diversion. She has been in that role for about 18 months.
ations.” “My goal is to make sure each patient has their annual exam, that I review the patient’s
Meneses, a graduate of the University of Florida and Florida Atlantic University, is social determinant of health to meet their access need to care, and to be cost effective
most proud of the relationships she has with fellow nurses. “There’s a family feel to for them,” said Borden.
our unit and we share our personal lives with each other. It’s a safe place where every- Her work has been recognized by Memorial Healthcare System with the Life Saver
one can learn and grow. There’s a sense of community here.”
Award in previous years.

20 May 2019 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News