Gurwin Chief Nursing Officer receives Excellence Award

Commack, NY—Lynette Rutherford, RN, BSN, MSA, MSN, Chief Nursing Officer at Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center (Commack, NY), has been honored with the United Hospital Fund’s 2020 Tribute to Excellence Award.

UHF’s annual award recognizes individuals in healthcare in the New York metropolitan area who have made great strides to improve the experiences, quality care, and safety of patients in their facility. The honorees were celebrated with a virtual awards presentation earlier this summer.

Ms. Rutherford was recognized for two quality patient-centered care programs which she instituted at Gurwin’s 5-star nursing and rehabilitation center. With an eye on enhancing resident experience, Ms. Rutherford created the Gurwin Concierge Program, which serves to welcome new residents, providing orientation and assistance with basic care needs within the first hours of admission, helping to ease the transition, provide comfort and lessen anxiety.

The Center’s Transitions Education Program, also Rutherford’s idea, was another area of merit for the honoree. Directed by an RN/Transition Nurse Educator, the program is designed to provide thorough education regarding the resident’s health, including self-care and a treatment plan, to prepare for discharge. Complete support is provided from admission through discharge and for the 30 days post discharge, with the ultimate goal of improving

resident compliance and outcomes and to ensure a smooth transition back to the home. Since implementation of the Concierge and Transitions Education programs at Gurwin, hospital readmissions have been significantly reduced and overall resident satisfaction has increased.

“We are grateful to Lynette’s outstanding leadership and commitment to quality care. We are pleased that her efforts have been recognized by the United Hospital Fund,” said Stuart B. Almer, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gurwin Healthcare System, of which Gurwin Jewish Nursing & Rehabilitation Center is a part. “Her innovative thinking has had a direct impact on both our facility operations as well as on enhancing the care we provide to our residents.”