Sasha enroute to cath lab at SickKids Hospital, July 2006

Donate securely online at SickKids Foundation to The Sasha Bella Fund for Family-Centred Care

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 in recognition of their exemplary nursing practice and excellence in Family – Centred Care. The nominee should have 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 brief letter outlining the suitability of the nominee.

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: April 10th, 2008

SUBMITTED TO

4D or CCCU Program Manager, Labatt Family Heart Centre

2007 SASHA BELLA FUND NURSE AWARD RECIPIENTS

The following nurses received the first Sasha Bella Fund awards at Sickkids nursing week awards in May 2007.

RILEY FARRELL, RN

For your outstanding contribution to family centred care nursing practise on 4D at Sickkids Hospital, particularly your exceptional contribution to caring for palliative care children, leadership by preceptoring students and new staff and acting as a role model for nurses helping palliative care families. Your professionalism and compassion has touched the lives of many children and families facing life threatening or chronic illnesses.
View Fund and Staff Recommendation Letter
View Award

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
View Award

2007 SASHA BELLA FUND NURSE AWARD COMMITTEE

Jonathan Blumberg
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