Three local nurses receive prestigious Nightingale Awards

SOUTHINGTON – Three local nurses representing three senior care communities in Southington have received the 2021 Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing – the highest honor in this profession. They are Ingrid Kausyla of Mulberry Gardens of Southington; Scott Dupuis of Southington Care Center; and Sandra Ingriselli of The Orchards at Southington. They are among those who were to be celebrated during the Hartford Region’s virtual celebration held May 6.

The Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing, which was established in 2001 in south-central Connecticut to celebrate and elevate the profession, has since expanded across the state. Nurses can only be nominated once in their lifetime for this recognition. The award is named for Florence Nightingale, a nurse during the Crimean War, who is considered the founder of modern nursing.

Ingrid Kausyla, RN, BSN, CDP, of Watertown, said she discovered she was a natural caregiver when as a teenager she cared for her great-aunt through her end-of-life journey. After her higher education, she subsequently worked in hospice, case management, medical ICU step-down and progressive cardiac units; IV therapy; and as a SALSA (Supervisor of Assisted Living Services Agency). At Mulberry Gardens, she serves as director of wellness for the independent and assisted living community and as director of the adult day program.

Mulberry Gardens feels like home to her and it practically was during the pandemic - she often worked seven days a week to ensure the safety and well-being of residents and staff. Her positive attitude, determination, unending strength and laser-focus ensured that she delivered excellence, even with continuing changing protocols about which she had to educate the staff and enforce for residents every day. “It would have been easy to fall apart but Ingrid was stronger than ever holding everything together,” said Jacquelyn Gaulin, Mulberry Gardens executive director. “She has created a lifelong legacy by providing the very best care for hundreds of seniors.”

Scott Dupuis, LPN, of Bristol, has truly distinguished himself in the nursing field where some statistics show only 12 percent of nurses are men. In his role as charge nurse at Southington Care Center, a long-term skilled nursing and short-term rehabilitation community, Dupuis is known as a mentor to fellow staff, a liaison to families, and a friendly face to patients. Primarily a nurse serving short-term rehabilitation patients, Dupuis transitioned easily to care for patients with COVID-19 to support the clinical team as necessary.

“Throughout the pandemic, on any given day, when a protocol was established, Scott followed through and rallied the team to implement the new process,” said Cirie Dorosh, Southington Care Center director of nursing. “Scott is dependable, calm and humble. He problem solves every day whether it is a new situation or new residents.”

Dupuis, whose father and aunt are nurses, has continued facing the challenges as nursing has become more complex in meeting the needs of patients with multiple diagnoses. “My greatest reward is having the patient or their family saying ‘thank you’ for taking care of them when they are discharged or if they come to us for their final end-of-life care,” he said.

Sandra “Sandy” Ingriselli, RN, of Bristol, has rightfully earned the longevity record at The Orchards of Southington, an assisted and independent senior living community. Opened in 1998, The Orchards has become her second home over the 17 years that she has worked there as the SALSA. Due to her leadership, several CNAs have worked there for the same amount of time.

Before she came to The Orchards, she worked at what was then New Britain General Hospital in maternity, surgical, kidney, and OB/GYN. She later worked in skilled nursing settings and for a home care agency. In response to the unprecedented challenges of the past year, Ingriselli implemented new policies and educated staff to ensure the safety and health of everyone. It was hard seeing the residents’ communal life come to a halt as activities were cancelled, in-person family visits were discontinued, and the dining rooms closed. Everyone pulled together in adherence to state guidelines and protocols. “We were all working for the common goal,” she said.

During her tenure at The Orchards, residents have changed, levels of care have increased, and the industry has become more competitive. “Despite all of this, Sandy has remained true to what assisted living is and held firm to core values,” said LeaAnn Blanchard, The Orchards executive director.

Hartford HealthCare Senior Services, a member of Hartford HealthCare, includes: Southington Care Center, Mulberry Gardens of Southington, The Orchards at Southington, Jefferson House, Cedar Mountain Commons, Mulberry Gardens Adult Day Center, Hartford HealthCare Center for Healthy Aging, and affiliated communities Jerome Home and Arbor Rose. For more information about Hartford HealthCare Senior Services, visit https://hhcseniorservices.org.