Independence announces three winners and seven finalists for its first-ever Celebrate Caring campaign to recognize outstanding nurses in the region
Philadelphia, PA — Independence Blue Cross recently announced its three Celebrate Caring winners, traveling to each nurse’s workplace during National Nurses Week to surprise them with the award. The contest invited people in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey to submit stories about nurses who go above and beyond to deliver exceptional care to patients and families. It resulted in nearly 700 submissions from over 180 health care settings.
“Celebrate Caring generated an outpouring of love, respect, and admiration for nurses in our region,” said Koleen Cavanaugh, vice president of Marketing at Independence. “It’s been a privilege to read these stories—and an even greater honor to go out and meet the nurses in person and see first-hand the impact they have on the people around them.”
Winners
Kathy Einthoven, RN, MS, CRNP, Pocopson Elementary School
With the help of Principal Clif Beaver and Pocopson Elementary School staff, Independence hosted a surprise assembly for Kathy Einthoven of West Chester, affectionately known as “Nurse Kathy” to students, parents and teachers alike at the school in West Chester. Hundreds of cheering elementary schoolers welcomed Einthoven into the gymnasium decorated with thank you notes written on band-aid shaped posters. A few special guests—including her husband, mother (also a school nurse), alumni parents and students, and the district’s superintendent—were also there for her.
Nearly every arm raised when Cavanaugh asked students how they would describe Nurse Kathy. There was one common theme: Nurse Kathy is caring.
“Nurse Kathy has helped create a culture of caring at Pocopson. She organizes walkathons and health screenings for staff. She handles everyday tummy aches and cuts – but she also teaches students how to be independent in managing their chronic conditions,” said Cavanaugh.
Watch a video from the event here.
Tyler Greenfield, BSN, RN, Christiana Care Health System
Next, Independence traveled to Christiana Hospital, part of Christiana Care Health System in Newark, Delaware, to surprise Tyler Greenfield, a nurse in the hospital’s Heart Failure Unit. As Tyler turned a corner on his way to the nurses’ station, he saw a camera and a crowd waiting for him.
Tyler recently cared for a woman with severe multiple sclerosis. For over 10 years, her husband has struggled to provide the round-the-clock care she needs. Recognizing the physical and emotional toll it was taking on the family, Greenfield intervened. He connected the family with Christiana Care’s social workers to help get the family approved for financial aid and regular at-home visits from a nurse.
“Tyler, you listened to this family and advocated for them beyond the hospital stay. Your decision to act and connect them with the right resources changed their lives for the better,” said Diana Lehman, director of Case and Condition Management at Independence—and a nurse for over 30 years—as she presented his award.
Watch a video of the event here.
Anne DeLuca, BSN, RN, Penn Medicine Hospice
Independence’s last surprise took place at the start of the night shift at Penn Medicine Hospice at Rittenhouse in Philadelphia. Anne DeLuca of Narberth thought she was coming in early for an evaluation. When she saw rows of seating lined up for a presentation, she took her seat in confusion.
DeLuca is a bedside hospice nurse, taking care of people and their families at one of the most difficult times in their lives, her nominator said. Beyond her clinical experience, DeLuca provides something immeasurable—dignity, security, and comfort at end-of-life.
“What stood out about Anne’s nomination was a story about how she helped create a beautiful memory for a dying father and his young child. It was an experience he took with him, and the child will carry on. It’s something the mother must have greatly appreciated as well,” Cavanaugh, the Independence Marketing VP, said.
Watch a video of the event here.
More about the events and campaign
Independence will make donations on behalf of each winner in the amount of $1,500. Winners also received:
- Tickets to a Philadelphia Union game
- Tickets to Radio 104.5’s 12th Birthday Celebration featuring The Lumineers
- Passes for roller-skating and mini golf at Blue Cross RiverRink Summerfest
- Gift cards for Hand and Stone Massage and Spa and Starr Restaurants
As part of the celebration, Independence provided food at each event and on-site chair massages for the nurses working the same shifts as our winners.
Celebrate Caring was the first multi-media campaign of its kind at Independence, focusing on storytelling to highlight different types of nurses, the variety of settings they work in, and the growing diversity of the nursing workforce.
During the contest submission period (March 11 through April 5) Independence released a series of blogs and videos featuring nurses employed by the company—over 220 nurses work in a variety of roles. The second wave of Celebrate Caring content will shift to focus on three winners and seven finalists. All original content produced by Independence is housed at ibx.com/nurses.
Finalists
Independence was honored to read so many stories about the caring and excellence provided by nurses. In addition to recognizing three winners, Independence will also highlight seven finalists in the coming weeks at ibx.com/nurses and on social media (as they appear from left to right above):
- Micah Maxon, BSN, RN, Emergency Department at Roxborough Memorial Hospital, Philadelphia
- Kate Gleason-Bachman, BSN, RN, at Pathways to Housing PA, Philadelphia
- Cecilia Bermudez, BS, BSN, RN-BC, CMSRN, Oncology at Reading Hospital, Reading
- Catherine Hamilton, BSN, RN Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia
- Katheryn McCaney, BSN, RN, Med Surg at Abington – Lansdale Hospital Jefferson Health, Lansdale
- Evelyn Cannon-Dingle, MSN, RN, APRN, Same-day Surgery at Inspira Medical Center, Vineland, NJ
- Megan Vennalil, BSN, RN, CCTC, Post-Liver Transplant at Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia
Media Contact:
Britni Zahodnick
215-241-2228 (office)
britni.zahodnick@ibx.com