Nursing Unit Honored for Excellence in Teamwork

Nurses from Albany Med’s Medical Surgical unit were recently honored with the Teamwork Recognition Award from the Northeast New York Professional Nurses Organization (NNYPNO). The award was based off a nomination from a pediatric nurse who had been redeployed to this unit, M4, earlier this year.

In her nomination, Allissa LaPort, RN, wrote, “Every day, I see the success of how teamwork is impacting the patients. The patients are cared for and loved and have positive outcomes because of it. The energy on the unit is positive and kind; it truly is a great place to work.”

Albany Med is the region’s only Level 1 trauma center and academic medical center. As such, patients turn to Albany Med more than one million times for care each year. 16,000 patients are transferred from community hospitals to Albany Med each year. Medicine units play a vital role in the care of the region and treat the most complex cases. This was especially clear during the coronavirus pandemic, when M4 was converted into a Covid-19 unit for three months. The nurse manager on M4, Nanette Lorenzo, RN, said despite the challenge her colleagues faced, her team stayed positive and continued to deliver outstanding patient care.

“I am extremely grateful and proud of my staff members,” said Nanette. “They have stayed strong and kept their positivity and can-do attitude. I am overjoyed for them to receive this award.”

NNYPNO’s 2021 awards for nursing excellence were announced earlier this month during a virtual celebration. M4 nurses were presented with their award in-person on June 8.

NNYPNO’s mission is to promote collegial support and enhance the practice of the professional nurse in Northeast New York.