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CHILDREN’S DIAGNOSTIC & TREATMENT CENTER

Vanessa Rojas, MD

Vanessa Rojas, M.D., is a family physician and HIV specialist
with Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center. The Broward
Health Physician Group member completed her residency and
HIV fellowship at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in New
York.
“I became a physician because therein lies an intersection
between science and art,” Dr. Rojas said. “No two patients are BROWARD HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER
ever alike, and with each patient an individualized touch goes
a long way. My favorite part of being a physician is the excite-
ment I get each and every single time I see a patient get better.” Carol Kuhne, RRT
Dr. Rojas considers it a privilege to care for others, especially during the COVID-19 pan-
demic. “Providing patients with reassurance during this time is something they are When Carol Kuhne started her career in 1979, respiratory
extremely grateful for,” she said, “and for me it means truly fulfilling the oath I took as therapy was a relatively new field and the novelty was one of the
physician.” attractions for her. She also liked that therapists could work in
all critical care areas. The registered respiratory therapist works
at Broward Health Medical Center and treasures the teamwork
Carol Zuniga that happens among her colleagues
“We all do our part to help the patient,” Kuhne said. “I work
Carol Zuniga has 12 years of experience in HIV infection and with some really talented people.” Being part of a cooperative
works as a medical assistant for the adult clinic at the Children’s team is essential, she said, when the work is challenging like
Diagnostic & Treatment Center. “The reason I chose to go into when the caregivers are in the throes of the hospital’s COVID-19
working with patients who are immune-comprised was to get a response. For this and more, she is a healthcare hero.
better understanding of the disease and the stigma behind it,” Kuhne said that while being a caregiver during the pandemic
she said. “It is very gratifying knowing that I made a difference is exhausting, there are also some very rewarding moments, like when she saw patients
in assisting in the continuity care of patients who live with the improve enough to go home to their families.
negative stigma of their diagnosis.” Zuniga works alongside the
medical team on the front line of the center’s COVID-19
response, saying, “Just knowing that I can make a difference Traci Vose, RN, BSN
standing in the front line brings me great pleasure in helping
patients with their medical and emotional needs.” As a child, Traci Vose was always nursing her pets, as well as
any stray animal she encountered. She knew nursing would be
her calling. It didn’t hurt that her grandmother was also a nurse.
Janine Taylor, RN Vose works as a critical care nurse at Broward Health Medical
Center.
Janine Taylor, R.N., has worked as a nurse for five years with “There is nothing more sacred than the balance of life and
stints in emergency services and urgent care before joining the death,” Vose said. “Having the opportunity to help save a life or
adult clinic at the Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center. “I lead one through the journey of death is a privilege.”
became a nurse because I always had a passion for helping others Vose also loves the camaraderie that develops between
in need,” Taylor said. “My mission is to always provide the best coworkers, especially during more stressful times. “When I
care possible, and to be the person that will sit down for just a became a nurse, I understood it meant to care for all those in
few minutes and just listen to the patient’s concerns and provide need, said the 24-year veteran. “But, again, nursing chose me
as much feedback as possible to establish trust between the nurse and, more so, God called me to this career. I cannot imagine
and the patient.” The ambulatory nurse has quickly learned the doing anything else.”
soft skills a healthcare worker must have to manage challenging
times. “I have learned that as a healthcare worker you must have an extreme level of
patience, empathy, and compassion during this stressful time,” she said. BROWARD HEALTH IMPERIAL POINT

BROWARD HEALTH NORTH Shaneque West

Shaneque West is responsible for maintaining a safe environ-
Andrew Sinclair and ment at Broward Health Imperial Point for visitors, team mem-
Susan Barrow bers and patients. As the security manager, she leads a team of 16
that is responsible for implementing the latest hospital security
Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit policies, following safety protocols and minimizing risk. Her job
South Florida, the workload for took on another dimension during the COVID-19 pandemic. She
Andrew Sinclair, guest relations manag- had to ensure that her team could quickly adjust the hospital’s
er, and Susan Barrow, nursing director, security protocols to fit the shifting dynamics.
was already demanding, as can be “The pandemic was a test of teamwork, strength and
expected at a Level II Trauma hospital. endurance,” she said, and West is grateful for her team’s ability to
Sinclair, who oversees the patient expe- meet the challenge. She also treasures the opportunity to work in
rience at Broward Health North, and tandem with front line caregivers. West considers the main role
Barrow, who manages the hospital’s daily nursing operations, didn’t let that deter them from of hospital security to create an environment that allows the medical team, guests and
volunteering to help provide meals for their colleagues who were working tirelessly to care patients to feel safe and frees them to focus on healing.
for COVID-19 patients and the community. They joined forces to ensure that meals deliv-
ered by an appreciative community were doled out to team members throughout the hos- Patricia Conklin, RN, MSN
pital. The dedicated duo come to work early and stay late to make sure donated meals are
shared by all shifts. In a matter of weeks, Barrow and Sinclair have delivered more than Patricia Conklin’s experience in infection control management
1,000. has been instrumental in guiding Broward Health Imperial Point
in its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Conklin, an epidemi-
James McCrae, LPN ologist, is providing leadership and trusted direction through
timely updates based on information from the Centers for
James McCrae, LPN, was a blur of action at the height of Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Health.
Broward Health North’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As She also collaborates with the hospital’s lab to ensure accurate
the nurse manager for the critical care and the surgical/telemetry test result reports for patients with COVID-19.
units, McCrae was responsible for guiding the caregivers who Conklin is also a former educator and doesn’t hesitate to par-
were on the front line providing care for patients with COVID- ticipate in rounding where she shares CDC updates and recom-
19. This healthcare hero is most proud of his team’s cooperation mendations, and answer caregivers’ questions. Her expertise and
and camaraderie as they adapted to the crisis while still support- willingness to share what she knows makes her a healthcare
ing each other. McCrae started his nursing career at the hospital hero.
in 1999 when he was hired as a licensed practical nurse. He said Continued on folllowing page
what attracted him to the profession was the ability to “help patients get better and provide
support to the patient’s family while their loved one’s hospitalized.”

16 May 2020 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News