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MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WEST MEMORIAL MANOR

Kathleen Fox, BSN, RN-C Mona Metayer, RN
An immigrant from Haiti that came to the U.S. in
Kathleen Fox invokes the words of former British
Prime Minister Winston Churchill when asked if there 1986, Mona Metayer was in school for business and
is a philosophy that guides her nursing. “We make a liv- worked in banking before seeing opportunities in nurs-
ing by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” ing that would change the course of her life. Now, 25
It’s a mindset that has served her well in the 13 years years later, the decision to switch careers is one she’s
she’s spent in the Memorial Cardiac and Vascular never regretted.
Institute’s catheterization lab at Memorial Hospital Metayer, a nurse at the Memorial Manor nursing
West. She also cites the need for compassion, under- home, works with residents that need long-term conva-
standing, and a willingness to listen as the keys to thriv- lescent care and short-term rehabilitative services. It’s an
ing in the high-pressure environment. essential role that she’s fulfilled for more than 12 years,
“Patients come in near death every day,” said the helping facilitate the patient and family-centered care
native of the Bahamas who came to the U.S. to study at that Memorial Healthcare System prioritizes. “No matter
Barry University. “We shock them, bring them back to life, and provide whatever care how busy any of us are, there is always time to care, and we share that responsibility
is needed. Two weeks later they walk out and resume their lives. at all levels. Empathy and compassion are a critical part of all we do.”
It’s an awesome responsibility, but I’m happy we’re there to make a difference for A ‘typical’ shift for Metayer includes charting with floor nurses, receiving and filing
them.” reports, and working with doctors and nurse managers. Her work involves consulting
Fox was the first nurse hired in the cath lab at Memorial Hospital West and says with social services, rehab, dietary, and environmental departments, and, of course,
the TotalHeart comprehensive care team has become her family. She most appreciates the families of her patients. She also coordinates admissions every other weekend.
the friendliness of the staff and their willingness to help those who may be strug- “We get tremendous support from management,” said Metayer, who is currently
gling. “The culture is different in this healthcare system. The administration has an pursuing her master’s degree. “They provide the supplies we need, are available to dis-
open-door policy and everyone is happy to be here.” cuss issues, and have an open-door policy that means we aren’t carrying issues home
with us. I feel the administration and my fellow nurses always have my back.
It feels like family.”

MEMORIAL PEMBROKE 24/7 CARE CENTER MEMORIAL HOSPITAL MIRAMAR

Elina Goldenberg, RN, BSN, CEN
Courtney Korf, RN
Elina Goldenberg is passionate about the teaching Courtney Korf knows the work she does with patients
aspect of nursing and happiest in front of a group of in the (adult) emergency department is some of the
young professionals hungry to learn and improve. She most stressful nurses encounter. That’s why a sense of
compares her desire to lead to the captain’s role on a humor is an important part of the skill set she brings to
sports team, a position she held as an athlete at the Memorial Hospital Miramar.
University of Maryland. “It’s an emotional release and something coworkers
“The captain is a teacher, sharing techniques, drills, can share during breaks to decompress from tense situ-
and strategies they’ve mastered with others who aren’t as ations,” said the graduate of Nova Southeastern
experienced,” said the ER-certified nurse at Memorial University and Broward College’s nursing program. “It’s
Hospital Pembroke’s 24/7 Care Center. “In my current part of the flexibility required for a job where situations
situation, I get great satisfaction sharing knowledge and are always changing.”
having new nurses become more confident in their Korf says the patient is always priority number one
skills.” and stabilizing their situation is her team’s goal. Keeping calm, not letting emotions
That confidence is a key to success at the 24/7 Care take over, and delivering results is on the daily to-do list in the ER.
Center, which Goldenberg says is comparable to a stand-alone emergency room. That’s why it’s so important to have a family-like atmosphere among those in her
“Every day is different and there are always unknowns,” she said. “You have to be department. They are there to listen, help process emotions, overcome challenges,
ready for anything, be both patient and aggressive, and can’t be frightened by the sit- and provide counsel, something the relatively new nurse appreciates. “I’ve fallen in
uations we face.” love with nursing and the environment I work in,” said the one-time dental school
Part of that preparation comes through education, something Goldenberg has pur- student. “You can have a really bad day and still be excited to return to work tomor-
sued zealously. She attended nursing school at Broward College and earned her BSN row.”
at the University of Central Florida. This month she expects to earn a master’s degree It’s that loving, caring environment that makes Korf an enthusiastic part of the
from UCF and is on course to complete post-master’s requirements in August. Memorial Healthcare System, a place she’s worked for the past two years. She says
Goldenberg’s focus has always been on learning new things, avoiding boredom, and superiors have always been supportive of efforts to advance her knowledge and pur-
accomplishing goals. sue additional education.
Goldenberg spent two years on staff at Memorial Regional Hospital before switch- That encouragement, along with all the positive patient outcomes, reinforce Korf’s
ing to the 24/7 Care Center, which provides outpatient minor-emergency care in a decision to dedicate her professional life to caring for those who need it most.
convenient location at Memorial Hospital Pembroke. Walk-ins are usually seen and
treated in a shorter time frame than traditional emergency rooms, with the goal to
have patients on their way in two hours or less.

MEMORIAL CANCER INSTITUTE

Natalie Pellicer, RN, CRRN hands with those who are crying or scared, and get in
tune with what’s needed at any given moment. The
The desire for new challenges and the opportunity to have impact for patients coping human contact is what makes it special.”
with the most difficult situations is what first attracted Natalie Pellicer to nursing. An open heart and ears that listen without judging are
“I was a medic in the military before going into construction and then accounting,” some of what Pellicer brings to Memorial’s patient and
said Pellicer. “But I didn’t feel I was giving enough back to the community, so I made family-centered care. She knows cancer forever changes
the switch to nursing where I knew there would be more human interaction.” the individuals in her care while also changing her.
That was more than 17 years ago. A certified rehabilitation nurse, Pellicer worked at “They’re not a number or client, but a person, a person
Memorial Regional Hospital South and Memorial Regional Hospital before joining the that needs me. We feed off each other’s strength and I
Memorial Cancer Institute last July. She says working with oncology patients at one of treat them like I’d want to be treated if the roles were
the largest cancer centers in Florida (4,300 new cases each year) has its own unique reversed.
rewards. “It’s a very special interaction. We’re part of their daily or weekly routines dur- When I get a hug each time they come in and each time
ing what’s usually a slow process. You experience the ups and downs of treatment, hold they leave, I know I’m making a difference.”

South Florida Hospital News southfloridahospitalnews.com May 2017 35