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DELRAY MEDICAL CENTER ST. MARY’S MEDICAL CENTER

Kaitlyn Tama, RN, ADN, BSN Jennifer Benvin, NP, MSN, ASN, BSN

Kaitlyn Tama has been working in the cardiac stepdown Jennifer Benvin is a labor and delivery nurse at St. Mary’s
unit at Delray Medical Center since 2019. Kaitlyn became a Medical Center. Jennifer decided to become a nurse because
nurse because of her mother who also is a nurse. She says she wanted to help her community and and make a positive
she loves helping people, and that inspired her into nursing impact in people’s lives. She loves the versatility of nursing,
too. One memory that stands out to Kaitlyn, is the time and is always excited to care for new mothers and babies
when she cared for a patient who was sick with COVID for who may be high-risk patients. Benvin serves as the assistant
months. However, because of the amazing medical attention nurse manager in the unit, and says the most rewarding part
she received the patient recovered and eventually went of her job, is knowing the care she provides directly affects
home. What is most rewarding about being a nurse to the people she treats. What stands out most to Benvin about
Kaitlyn is helping patients recover following a major surgery her job, is the role everyone has when it comes to treating
or life-changing event, then seeing them walk out of the hospital following their and supporting the patients they serve.
recovery. She earned her associates degree from Palm Beach State and then graduated
from Florida Atlantic University with her bachelor’s degree. Outside of work, Kaitlyn Sheryl Azurin-Espidol, RN, BSN, MAN
enjoys spending time with her dog, Luna, laying by the pool and hang out with her
friends. Sheryl Azurin-Espidol works in the Neonatal Intensive
Care Unit at St. Mary’s Medical Center, working with the tini-
Nicole Burney, BSN, RN, SCRN est patients in the hospital. Originally, from the Philippines,
Sheryl was encouraged to take up nursing by her mother and
Nicole Burney has worked at Delray Medical Center in the aunt. Nursing was initially very challenging for Sheryl as she
neurosciences department for nearly 10 years. Nicole says had a fear of blood. Eventually, she got over her phobia and
she always knew she wanted to be a nurse. She remembers has been working as a nurse at the hospital for the past three
at the age of 13 having to take care of her mother who had years. Sheryl absolutely loves babies; she has four of her own
abdominal surgery and helping in her recovery. Being a children, and it is the main reason why she enjoys working
nurse is the perfect job for her because she considers herself in the NICU. Meeting the families and getting to know them
a nurturing person and a science nerd. One of Nicole’s most is one of the highlights of her job, and of course seeing the babies continue to get
memorable moments was when a couple came into the hos- healthy and eventually leave the hospital is the by far the most rewarding part of her
pital, both with being diagnosed with COVID. The pair went job. When Sheryl is not working her passion away from nursing is clipping coupons.
to two different areas of the hospital, and were unable to see each other. Nicole, and In addition, she enjoys cooking and gardening.
her fellow nurses were able to dress up the wife, put makeup on her, and wheel her
into her husband’s room so they could hold hands and have a “date night” in the hos-
pital. When Nicole isn’t working, she enjoys powerlifting, traveling and spending time
with her children and family. GOOD SAMARITAN MEDICAL CENTER

WEST BOCA MEDICAL CENTER
Inona Pierre, RN, LPN, ASN
Shana Deniro-Pipher, RN, ADN, BS
Inona Pierre is a nurse on the orthopedic, VIP and detox
Shana Deniro-Pipher is a labor and delivery nurse at West department floor at Good Samaritan Medical Center. Inona
Boca Medical Center. For the past eight years, she has been became a nurse after seeing her grandmother very sick and
helping bring new life into the world for expectant parents. feeling helpless because she could not do anything to help
Shana was originally going to become a doctor and apply to her. Inona promised herself she would become a nurse so she
medical school, but when she signed up for a class allowing could help care for those who could not care for themselves.
her to shadow physicians, she fell in love with the nursing Inona says the most rewarding part of being a nurse, is mak-
side of medicine and decided to change her career path. ing a difference in people’s lives, and having the opportunity
Shana says the most rewarding part of being a nurse in the to provide comfort and compassion at a time when patients
L&D unit, is experiencing a miracle every time she goes to need it most. Inona earned her associates degree from Palm Beach State College.
work. She thinks of herself as a patient advocate, educator, coach and a friend. Shana, When she is not caring for patients, Inona enjoys cooking, cleaning and gardening.
enjoys being able to help a patient delivery their baby for the first time, or a mother
who is delivering again, after such a wonderful first experience. Shana wants to put a
smile on every patients face, and make sure they feel safe. Shana earned her associates
degree in nursing from Palm Beach State College, and her bachelor’s degree in biology Lauren Musco, RN, AD, BSN
from Florida Atlantic University. When Shana is not working she enjoys being with
her family and friends and loves to travel with her husband. Lauren Musco is a nurse in the surgical/telemetry unit at
Good Samaritan Medical Center. As far back as she can
Hal Oster, RN, AND remember, Lauren has always wanted to be a nurse. Prior to
going into nursing, Lauren spent 10 years in the business
Hal Oster has been dedicated to serving patients in the world working for a large medical company. She decided to
community for over 40 years. He says what is most reward- leave and go back to school so she could pursue her ultimate
ing about being a nurse is the positive effect you have on the dream of becoming a nurse. Nursing is not only her job, but
lives of people and their families every single day. Hal works also her passion. She loves helping people, offering unbiased
in the ambulatory care unit, which is a part of the perioper- care, and helping people get healthy again. Lauren considers
ative department at West Boca Medical Center. He originally Good Sam her home hospital because not only is she a nurse at the hospital, but it
planned on becoming a police officer, fate took him in was also where she was also born. Her most positive memory was from this past year
another direction and nursing became his calling, and he while she was caring for a COVID patient who was sick and in the hospital for over
never looked back. Hal’s most memorable moment is when he saw a patient he treated 100 days. However, the patient was able to recover, walked right out of the hospital.
in the ER, and he had not left the hospital, because he did not have a ride home. Oster When Lauren is not at work, she enjoys spending time with her family, and enjoying
drove him to the train station, but after they missed the train, Hal then drove him an everything the state of Florida has to offer.
hour South back to his house. When he is not caring for patients, Hal is with his fam-
ily and friends. He says he is looking forward to retirement when he can travel as
much as possible.

42 May 2021 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News