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SALUTE TO CASE MANAGERS... SALUTE TO CASE MANAGERS... SALUTE TO CA

BROWARD HEALTH CORAL SPRINGS BROWARD HEALTH NORTH

Mary Monahan Beverley Harriot, RN

Mary Monahan has been a case manager at Broward Beverley Harriot, a nurse case manager at Broward
Health Coral Springs for the last 12 years, and in 2014 Health North, knows that working in healthcare is fast-
was promoted to her current role as case manager coor- paced, exciting and always a source for expanding her
dinator. Her duties include, but are not limited to, com- skillset. Her first job with Broward Health was in 2006,
plex discharge planning, transition of care, reducing when she was hired as the operations manager of the out-
readmission and monitoring length of stay. She partici- patient lithotripsy center.
pates in multidisciplinary rounding with the hospitalists With a career that spans more than 40 years, her pas-
and works hand in hand with the Chief Medical Officer. sion for caring for people has remained strong and has
Monahan finds it rewarding it to be able to connect driven her to transition to case management, where she
with patients through rounding. She also enjoys provid- has been able to serve both patients and families, helping
ing support to the case managers and social workers on complex issues. She has been ensure safe transitions to the next level of care or home. By maintaining a high stan-
instrumental in helping train staff and transition them to enhanced practice modules. dard of care and through her wealth of experience, she continues to inspire nurses
Her experience in clinical nursing background includes pediatrics, emergency care and social workers starting their careers in education, mentoring and leadership.
and critical care. And with her broad nursing background, she has the expertise to Harriot’s vast clinical knowledge and compassion make her a strong asset to our
manage patients and families, identifying resources and searching for solutions that healthcare system as she inspire her peers to elevate their own practice.
benefit her patients. Harriot graduated from Essex County College in 1980 with an associate degree in
Monahan is certified in case management, has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing and nursing and later attained her bachelor’s degree in health services administration from
a Master of Science in Healthcare Management. Barry University.

Helen Guzzi Barbara Lay-Konitzer

Helen Guzzi has been a case manager at Broward Barbara Lay-Konitzer, a social worker at Broward
Health Coral Springs for the past 11 years. She specializes Health North, is driven by the positive impact she has
in discharge planning and coordination of post-acute care made for people during her career in healthcare that
services. She worked as a staff nurse for 24 years prior to spans more than two decades. Her optimism is a source of
her current role. This year, due to the COVID-19 pan- inspiration for her colleagues, and her dedicated work
demic, many challenges evolved in her role as case man- ethic allows her to fully provide her patients and their
ager. The unit to which she was assigned was restructured families all relevant resources that may improve upon
and designated a COVID unit. Guzzi has been tasked with quality of life once her patients transition back into the
keeping track of the ever-changing rules of COVID test- community.
ing, discharge and transfer. She became highly regarded Lay-Konitzer began her career as a social worker for
for her expertise when dealing with coordinating post-hospital care for COVID Women in Distress, a non-profit dedicated to helping
patients. She works with the insurance companies to have transfers and services women who have suffered from domestic violence. She
authorized. She also assists families, explaining the process. She cultivates positive worked within the Broward shelter providing counseling, training and empowerment
relationships with the families, which is an integral part of patient- and family-cen- to the agency’s clients. Since then, she has spent 16 years of her career serving psy-
tered care Guzzi said her career in case management has its challenges, but it’s never chiatric patients within acute care behavioral health units and though private prac-
boring, and at the end of the day it is the most satisfying career she could envision tice. This population afforded her not only valuable interpersonal clinical experience,
for herself. She graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Centro Escolar but infinite resilience.
University in Manila, Philippines. As a valuable resource to her department, Lay-Konitzer brings a wealth of experi-
ence. She now primarily serves patients in the Emergency Department, because she
is easily able to meet the high demand of the department and identify solutions for
BROWARD HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER individuals in distress or in need of referrals to find the help they need.
Lay-Konitzer has a Master of Social Work from Barry University. She obtained her
Grace Walker, RN LCSW and is a Clinical Supervisor for licensure-seeking MSW individuals.

Grace Walker, RN, is an acute care case manager at
Broward Health Medical Center and works in the step-
down intensive care, transplant and telemetry units. Her
current role is to help ensure the safe discharge of all PALMETTO GENERAL HOSPITAL
patients. “My favorite part of being a case manager is to
advocate for the well-being of patients and families by Claudia Cardona, RN
demonstrating empathy and compassionate all times,”
said Walker. “I will do whatever is needed to facilitate the Claudia Cardona is a registered nurse in case manage-
best plan of care for their recovery and a safe discharge.” ment at Palmetto General Hospital. She joined Palmetto
As a liver transplant recipient, she has also become a General Hospital in July of 2012. She became a nurse in
passionate advocate and local ambassador for the Life 2005. Claudia ensures quality of care for patients and
Alliance Organ Recovery Agency. makes sure they have a safe and expedited discharge. She
“I have been dedicated to raising awareness for organ donation and transplanta- communicates daily with physicians. Claudia received
tion,” said Walker. “I have the unique advantage of being able to give hope and inspi- her Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Miami Dade
ration to pre- and post-transplant patients. I feel privileged to be working on the same College. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with
unit as a case manager where I was a patient four years ago.” her family and reading.
Walker has been with Broward Health since 2005. She received her Associate of
Science in Nursing from Broward College. She will begin her Bachelor of Science in
nursing degree at Chamberlain University in January 2021. Walker has been a profes-
sional member of the American Holistic Nurses Association, American Nurses
Association and the Oncology Nursing Society.

Coming Next Month...

National Hospice Month – Salute to Hospice Workers
Education Update – Institutions and Professionals Medical Technology & HIT Update

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26 October 2020 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News