Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighters Burn Center Fund Acknowledges Staff, Celebrates Patients
Burn Center Recognition Day shows appreciation for staff, community, and supporters
STONY BROOK, NY, May 21, 2014 – The members of the Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighters Burn Center Fund honored the hard work, skill and devotion of the staff of the Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighters Burn Center at Stony Brook Medicine at the Annual Burn Center Recognition Day on May 18. The day also celebrated and acknowledged the patients who were treated at the Center and so bravely overcame their life-altering injuries.
“Since the beginning of the burn center more than 30 years ago, it has been a community effort and has taken much collaboration among our elected officials, volunteer firefighters, the late Dr. Harry Soroff, Dr. Steven Sandoval, members of the Stony Brook leadership team along with faculty and staff to get to where we are today,” said L. Reuven Pasternak, MD, Chief Executive Officer, Stony Brook University Hospital, and Vice President for Health Systems, Stony Brook Medicine.
“As part of Burn Recognition Day it gives me great pleasure to thank our nursing staff for their dedication, skills and most of all compassion for our patients and families,” said Pasternak. “It is their compassionate care that keeps the spirits of our patients lifted, even when facing the complex, and sometimes painful challenges of burn wounds.”
The Burn Nurse of the Year award was presented to Shanelle Farquharson, RN, Stony Brook University Hospital, a dedicated nurse with over five years of experience, who has worked at the Burn Center since the beginning of her nursing career. “Shanelle Farquharson has a passion for nursing and caring for her patients,” said Desiree Fedrich, MS, RN, Nurse Manager, Stony Brook University Hospital, Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighters Burn Center. “Her holistic approach is one that is appreciated by her patients and colleagues. The genuine care Ms. Farquharson provides to her patients is unsurpassed. She is truly a valued part of the Burn Center Team.”
Jean Thomas, Nursing Station Clerk, Stony Brook University Hospital, who has been with the Burn Center for more than nine years, was named Ancillary Staff of the Year. “Ms. Thomas was the heart and soul of our Burn Center relocation earlier this year, she assured everything had a place and that it was the right place,” Fedrich said. “Ms. Thomas enhances the patient experience with her cheerful demeanor and her colleagues always look forward to the start of her shift. Ms. Thomas eagerly participates in community outreach helping with the Hazard House, Spark the Fire Dog and actively volunteers at events to support the Burn Center.”
