Nurse Practitioner Donald Tessitore Named Albany Med Employee of the Year
Donald Tessitore, a nurse practitioner with a 10-year career at Albany Med, has been selected by his colleagues as the 2020 Employee of the Year. Out of nearly 10,000 employees, Tessitore received more than 100 nominations for the honor.
Tessitore came to Albany Med as a registered nurse before advancing to an NP in our hospitalist program in 2014. Colleagues from a wide variety of disciplines nominated Tessitore, including many nurses with whom he works on the overnight shift. They noted Tessitore’s skillful practice and kind demeanor with patients and employees alike.
Albany Med President and CEO Dennis P. McKenna, MD, said, “Donnie exemplifies our Albany Med mission. He takes his role as a caregiver seriously—remembering that he must also be a trusted educator and advocate. For our patients battling serious medical conditions, Donnie is a beacon of peace and comfort. For our colleagues, Donnie is a dedicated care partner, mentor and friend.”
Often described as going above and beyond for his patients, one nominator wrote, “Donnie has a comforting and reassuring manner that allows patients to feel at ease and less fearful in stressful situations.”
Tessitore is also known for being supportive and responsive to the needs of his colleagues, creating a positive environment with his kindness and leadership even in the most challenging of situations, according to nominators who worked with Donnie on units caring for patients with coronavirus.
“I am currently in NP school, and Donnie was the main motivation for me going back to school,” wrote one colleague. “Seeing how great he is with patients makes me want to follow in his footsteps and try and be a great NP like him.”
Another colleague wrote, “Donnie goes above and beyond every night to ensure not only nurses but also patients have all that they need. He is always available and willing to lend a hand and, most importantly, his expertise.”
“I'm truly humbled and honored to receive this recognition,” Tessitore said. “I'm completely blown away by what my colleagues said about me. That is something I'll cherish forever. I think it's going to propel me to keep moving along in my career. I've been a nurse for 15 years. This is where I'm meant to be. I'm just honored to be part of this amazing hospital.”
Albany Med staff nominate colleagues for Employee of the Year based on the characteristics of the Albany Med CARES program, which emphasizes Albany Med’s culture of compassion, accountability, respect and engagement in their interactions with patients, visitors and coworkers. For 2020, more than 500 employees nominated approximately 150 colleagues for Employee of the Year.