RMH has recognized five team members as 2013 Safety Champions for their dedication to strengthening the culture of patient safety at RMH.

From left, RMH President Jim Krauss; Patricia Herudek, Materials Management; Eunice Pitsenbarger, Rehab Services; Julie Pierantoni, Education; Laurie Dye, Perioperative Services; Rebecca Jessie, director of Quality Improvement and Patient Safety; and, not pictured here, Karin Warren, 4 East.

Award recipients are:

• Laurie Dye, RN, Perioperative Services
• Patricia Herudek, Clinical Resource Specialist, Materials Management
• Julie Pierantoni, RN, Diabetes Educator
• Eunice Pitsenbarger, Rehab Technician, Rehab Services
• Karin Warren, Patient Care Technician, 4 East

“Patient safety is the foundation for all the care we provide,” said RMH President Jim Krauss. “Our safety champions are role models for all of us and we commend them for their efforts to ensure our patients are kept safe.”

The annual RMH Safety Champion recognition, launched in 2011, emphasizes RMH’s commitment to patient safety, noted Rebecca Jessie, director of Quality Improvement and Patient Safety. Candidates were nominated by RMH staff and physicians for their outstanding contributions to patient safety.

Members of RMH’s Patient Safety Committee evaluated the entries and selected five winners. The 2013 Safety Champions were announced and honored at a special reception in the hospital March 12.

“All of us at RMH are passionate about keeping our patients safe by ensuring we first do no harm,” Jessie said. “RMH Safety Champions make this statement their personal mission and move our organization forward through exemplary teamwork.”