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MEMORIAL REGIONAL HOSPITAL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL WEST

Anthony Ross, RN, BSN Chelsea Peirce, RN, BSN, OCN

A veteran of the first Gulf War, Anthony Ross credits his A staff nurse and a member of her unit’s leadership team,
military training with preparing him to handle the high- Chelsea Peirce is known for going above and beyond to serve
stress situations faced by nurses in the emergency room. And patients fighting blood cancers. “As soon as patients enter the
while he couldn’t have known it at the time, the chemical unit doors of 3 West, they become family and I make it a point
suits he wore in the Army would make the transition to to ensure they feel that way from day one. I want them to feel
wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) in the battle special even on what might be the worst days of treatment,”
against COVID-19 a lot easier. she said.
“We’ve all gotten used to the routine of wearing PPE; it’s One of several recent examples of Peirce’s dedication arose
become part of the norm,” said Ross, who transitioned to nursing from respiratory from the situation a single mother faced after being diagnosed
therapy after leaving the military. “It’s especially important because we don’t know with an aggressive leukemia. Her hospitalization meant she’d not only be away from her
who might have a communicable disease when they first get to the ER.” two-year-old son at Christmas but also unable to purchase any gifts for the child. In just
Ross also cites his management and decision-making abilities and improved inter- a few days, Peirce rallied the 3W team and collected enough money to buy and wrap a
personal skills as other helpful byproducts of his four years of service. mountain of toys for the needy family.
“Chelsea is extraordinary in every way,” said Denise Reynolds, chief nursing officer at
Raji Jinu, RN, BSN Memorial Hospital West. “She is compassionate, selfless, passionate about her patients,
and a true representation of a Memorial nurse. We are so blessed to have her.”
In more than 26 years as a nurse, Raji Jinu has never
worked outside Memorial Healthcare System. That isn’t to Miguel Hernandez, RN, BSN
say she hasn’t been on the move within it.
The clinical manager of Memorial Regional Hospital’s crit- Miguel Hernandez uses an expression often credited to the
ical care unit, Jinu has seen what had been primarily a car- Navy SEALs when describing his mindset while dealing with
diac ICU become a COVID-19/ICU unit. While she was used surges in COVID-19 patients in the last year. “You’ve got to get
to working with the critically ill, Jinu calls this her “toughest comfortable being uncomfortable.”
year” as a professional. “It is a daily reminder that life is Hernandez, the clinical manager of the joint replacement
short and every minute counts. COVID doesn’t care who you are, so while we’re the unit, did that and more during 2020 when Memorial Hospital
ones providing care now, it could be us in that bed tomorrow,” said Jinu. West experienced unprecedented surges in its COVID patient
While Jinu is the one currently being recognized, she is quick to express her admi- census. He stepped up as interim nurse manager on two occa-
ration for the staff and management team she works with. “They’re the best of the best sions, overseeing the setup of both a 22-bed post-anesthesia
in the system to provide exceptional care for critically-ill patients.” care unit (PACU) and a 30-bed overflow unit to accommodate
patients when the rest of the hospital had been filled to capacity. “Miguel is where he
needs to be, at the right time to lead, and it has become clear his potential is truly limit-

MEMORIAL REGIONAL HOSPITAL SOUTH less,” said Denise Reynolds, chief nursing officer at Memorial Hospital West.
“I just want to fulfill life’s purpose as long as my livelihood gives meaning to other peo-
ple,” said Hernandez, who has risen from a patient care assistant to leader, motivator, and
team builder in just six years. “If I can help others at the most critical times, that’s what
Audia Riley, RN IV I’m here to do.”

“Miss Audia” is well-known and much loved after more Memorial Physician Group
MEMORIAL PHYSICIAN’S GROUP
than 14 years with Memorial Healthcare System, much of it
spent as a preceptor and mentor to new nurses. She has Cheryl Kushner, APRN
knowledge to share with the novices and considers it her
responsibility to help them grow within the profession. “A
new environment can be difficult for anyone,” said Riley, A longtime advocate for Cystic Fibrosis patients and a
“but through communication and education fear can be Memorial Healthcare System employee since 1988, Cheryl
overcome. I want to create a situation to help them learn Kushner is an advanced practice registered nurse at the Joe
more about themselves.” DiMaggio Cystic Fibrosis, Pulmonary, and Sleep Center, a facil-
Riley’s leadership extends to Memorial’s system of collaborative governance, where ity that cares for nearly 200 patients. In that role, she has seen
she represents Memorial Regional Hospital South at the system level on the Best research and new drugs make a difference for those suffering
Practices Committee. She also chairs the ‘Voice from the Bedside’ group of nurses that with CF, none more than Trikafta, a highly effective modulator
make recommendations to administrative leaders within her hospital. On the patient that helps the defective CF gene work better.
side, Riley has made it a priority to educate the families of discharged patients about “The increase in lung function for many of the patients using
the care they’ll need to provide at home to further their loved one’s recovery. this medication has been life-changing,” said Kushner, a Cystic
Fibrosis Foundation-South Florida board member and chair of its local Great Strides
fundraiser. “Seven of our patients taking Trikafta got pregnant, fulfilling a dream that
Hazel Selorio, BSN, RN IV most assumed would never be possible for them. Needless to say, we shed happy tears
together.” The treatment advancements mean more CF patients than ever before are sur-
A nurse for 27 years, Hazel Selorio most enjoys mentoring viving to adulthood, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t more work to be done. “We need
colleagues as the clinical ladder chair at her hospital. “It’s an to find a cure,” said Kushner.
opportunity to extend my influence outside our department
and lead experienced and knowledgeable nurses from other Tara Griffin, APRN
floors,” said Selorio, who has been with Memorial Regional
Hospital South (MRHS) since 2008. “I’m humbled and proud
to work with these professionals to improve the system for An infectious disease specialist that primarily cares for indi-
the communities we serve.” viduals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), Tara
Selorio is also a member of the Memorial Healthcare System’s Clinical Ladder Griffin is acutely aware of the stigma that has always been
Council, co-chairs Shared Governance, and is on the Daisy and Sunflower Award attached to the patients she treats. “What’s important to know
committees at MRHS. She describes her leadership style as ‘mentor by example.’ is HIV is a chronic disease, not a death sentence. We’ve come
“There is always fulfillment when you are able to serve a greater number of people.” a long way with medication and treatment and our patients are
From 2008-2020 at Memorial Regional Hospital South, Selorio cared for patients as welcomed, not judged.”
an emergency room nurse. She transitioned to pre-op/PACU last year. Griffin prides herself on addressing the needs of the whole
person, whether they be medical, social, or mental health-relat-
ed. She enjoys the long-term relationships she forms with patients and believes compas-
sion, empathy, and the ability to listen are the keys to the success she’s had in the nearly
five years she’s worked with the Memorial Physician Group.
“Patients are grateful for the primary and HIV care we provide and it’s nice seeing the
same people all the time. I’m aware of their personal and medical issues and am here to
lessen the anxiety they feel.”

40 May 2021 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News