Sasha enroute to cath lab at SickKids Hospital, July 2006

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SASHA BELLA AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN FAMILY-CENTRED CARE

BACKGROUND

This award is a tribute to Sasha Bella Stein-Blumberg, a sweet, loving and determined little girl born with Alagille Syndrome on June 6, 2004. It is offered in thanks to the Cardiac Program at SickKids, now the Labatt Family Heart Centre. This team tirelessly coordinated care across services during multiple catheterizations and two cardiac surgeries and who showed great sensitivity to Sasha and her family’s needs. Sasha lived with gusto until severe GI bleeds from portal hypertension after her second surgery at 18 months of age left her dependent on blood transfusions and a jejunal fistula left her dependent on TPN. Sasha and her parents lived on 4D and 6A for almost four months after her 5 weeks in CCCU and returned home supported by the Temmy Latner Centre and TCCAC on May 17, 2006. Sasha’s physical presence left us June 20, 2006.

NOMINATION GUIDELINES

An award of $1000 will be presented annually to a Labatt Family Heart Centre nurse and interprofessional staff in recognition of their exemplary nursing practice and excellence in Family – Centred Care. The nominee has cared for a child and family whose hospital course involved multi – organ, palliative care or multi – service challenges. Any staff member may nominate a Labatt Family Heart Centre nurse by providing a letter outlining the suitability of the nominee by describing their support of parents and staff. The Family is particularly interested in staff who help create programs or conduct research on family-centered care supports.

COMMITTEE and SELECTION PROCESS

A voluntary selection committee will be comprised of:

1. A nurse from 4D
2. A nurse from CCCU
3. A nurse practitioner or program manager
4. A nurse educator
5. A cardiologist
6. An inter-professional staff member (eg. child life, dietician, social work or non cardiac program staff)
7. A member of Sasha’s family or a parent requested by Sasha’s family

Members of the committee can serve up to three consecutive years and will initially be volunteers who cared for Sasha. Selection of the award winner requires a minimum quorum of four committee members. Committee members are not eligible for the award.

NOTIFICATION OF CANDIDATES

Successful candidates will be notified prior to Nursing Week and the award will be presented during Nursing Week celebrations.

DEADLINES FOR NOMINATION

Date: February 28

SUBMITTED TO

4D or CCCU Program Manager, Labatt Family Heart Centre

2007 SASHA BELLA FUND FOR FAMILY-CENTERED CARE NURSING EXCELLENCE AWARD

RILEY FARRELL, RN

Riley's outstanding contribution to family centred care nursing practise at Sickkids Hospital includes her caring for palliative care children, leadership by preceptoring students and new staff and acting as a role model for nurses helping palliative care families. Riley's professionalism and compassion has touched the lives of many children and families facing life threatening or chronic illnesses.
View Fund and Staff Recommendation Letter

SARAH FURNESS, RN

For your outstanding contribution to family centred care nursing practice in the Critical Care Cardiac Unit at SickKids Hospital, particularly your specialized learning of the Berlin heart, acting as a resource on the Berlin heart for other nurses and your noteworthy compassion and sense of humor when working with families and colleagues.
View Fund and Staff Recommendation Letter

2008 SELECTION COMMITTEE

Joann Herridge
Cecilia St George–Hyslop
Tessie Koonthanam
Samantha Rothwell
Dr. Jennifer Russell
Paula Pereira-Solomos
Sherry Ree Stevens
Pamela Stein
Kathryn Timberlake
Judith Wilson
Jonathan Blumberg

2008 SASHA BELLA FUND FOR FAMILY-CENTERED CARE NURSING EXCELLENCE AWARD

HABIBA DESAI, RN

You were nominated by Advanced Nursing Practise Educator Cecilia Hyslop - St George RN, M Ed, CNCC(C) who described your outstanding contribution to family centred care nursing practice at SickKids Hospital, your recent acceptance to the ECMO Specialist Training Program and current transitioning to the role of charge nurse, your commitment to ongoing education, preceptorship and clinical practise. We experienced first hand your care, compassion, expertise, and on several occasions, helpful conversations when off the shift.
Nomination letter

BEATA PAJAK, RN

Beata was nominated by CHS Manager Trisha Sutton who described your dedication to patient, families and staff in the Cardiac Critical Care Unit and outstanding contribution to family centred care nursing practice at SickKids Hospital.
Nomination letter

2010 SASHA BELLA FUND NURSING AWARD FOR FAMILY-CENTERED CARE EXCELLENCE

ELENA NIKOLSKY, RN

Elena was nominated by Advanced Nursing Practice Educator Cecilia Hyslop - St George RN, M Ed, CNCC(C) who described her clinical excellence and outstanding contribution to family-centered care nursing practice at SickKids Hospital including academic and research focus on family stresses and coping and supportive nursing communication. We experienced first hand your care and expertise and hope your studies make a difference for children and families in the CCCU.
Nomination letter

2010 SASHA BELLA FUND INTER-PROFESSIONAL AWARD FOR FAMILY-CENTERED CARE EXCELLENCE

RUTA NIEDRA, MSW, RSW

Ruta was nominated by an unprecedented nine colleagues whose letters describe your outstanding support of families and excellent collaboration and mentorship of staff peers. Ruta organizes the weekly coffee group for CCCU parents and helped organize a first Labatt Family Heart Centre family day in 2009. We first met when Ruta walked up to introduce herself after a talk at IPP Week about challenges and successes in Sasha’s care. Thanks for twenty four years of care, compassion, expertise and dedication to the patients, families and staff of the Labatt Family Heart Centre.
Nomination letter