Monmouth Medical Center, Long Branch, recently recognized several of its nurses for providing exceptional care and leadership, as well as excellence in nursing.
Monmouth Beach resident Victoria Baldo, an outpatient oncology nurse, was a recipient of the 2001 Maysie Stroock Award for excellence in nursing care.
The Teresa Birmingham, R.N., Nursing Leadership Award was bestowed on Julia Peng, Middletown, an inpatient oncology nurse. Tinton Falls resident Patty Gaughran, the clinical director of emergency services, was honored with the Health Care Leadership for the New Millennium Award.
The first-ever Ocean Primary Care Excellence in Bedside Nursing award went to Long Branch resident and critical care nurse Suzanne Forgach.
The winners of the annual nursing essay contest, "Nurses: The True Spirit of Caring," were also announced by the medical center.
Cindy Lou Eyerly, a pediatric intensive care unit nurse from Bayville, won first place. Psychiatric nurse Katy Tammaru, Middletown, captured second place; Debra Skelly, a pediatric nurse from Middletown, was the third-place winner.
The nursing staff at Monmouth Medical Center is comprised of approximately 700 members, 227 of which have been at the center for more than 10 years.