National Nurses Week is May 6-12. During this time, Premier Medical Group would like to recognize and pay tribute to all nurses for the work that they do and compassion they offer. Often referred to as the unsung heroes and heroines of healthcare – nurses work round-the-clock as the bedside eyes and ears for doctors. Both Kim LaVigne-Secord, RN, CCRC and Patty Sullivan, RN, BSN, MSN, CNS of Premier – nominated by their supervisors for the 2014 Excellence in Nursing Award – were individually honored at the awards ceremony held by Hudson Valley Magazine on May 6th at The Grandview in Poughkeepsie. LaVigne-Secord and Sullivan go above and beyond their duties as nurses, showing a commitment to their community, creating a significant impact on patient care, and achieving life-long professionalism.
Who is Kim LaVigne-Secord?
Kim is Premier Medical Group’s Clinical Research Manager. Premier’s Clinical Research Department conducts ongoing research trials that test the quality and outcomes of various medications and devices. Kim knew at a young age that she wanted to help others. Growing up, she began volunteering at her community hospital, which set into motion a life-long career of caring, advocating, educating and providing optimal health care to patients all around. Prior to joining Premier Medical Group in 2007, Kim worked at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in the critical care units and attended to home care patients at Putnam Hospital Center.
Upon joining Premier’s research and development team, Kim became involved in the development of new pharmaceutical compounds, medical devices, and diagnostics – all while remaining in the hospital on weekends in order to stay current with hospital nursing.
Kim now manages Premier’s multi-specialty research department, a total of five separate research sites. She also coordinates the Provenge program, an FDA approved immunologic medication that was developed for Castrate Resistant Prostate Cancer Patients. “I love being at the forefront of medicine and being a part of the changes that are happening,” says LaVigne-Secord.
As a mother, wife and nurse, Kim has set the bar high, meeting and exceeding the requirements for the Excellence in Nursing Award. Her job does not end when she clocks out at the end of the day. Whether providing emergency care 30,000 feet in the air, on the sidelines of a local football league, or educating fifth graders about changes in adolescents, Kim is a nurse 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Her empathy and passion for the field of medicine shines through in all of the work that she does.
Who is Patty Sullivan?
Patty is the Director of Clinical Operations for Urology at Premier Medical Group. As a busy wife and mother of six children, she always finds the time to put her best effort into her career. Patty has an astounding 42 years of operating room experience, including managing both Level I and Level II operating rooms and maintains numerous leadership roles on hospital committees throughout the Hudson Valley.
While working in the operating room at Saint Francis Hospital, Patty met the physicians of Premier Medical Group’s Urology Division. In August of 2010, the physicians asked Patty to join their team as Director of Clinical Operations, a newly created position at the time with a promising opportunity to pioneer. “I have enjoyed sharing my past experience with the organization in helping them to build a practice that is focused on providing the best patient care,” says Sullivan. Patty, a veteran field in her field has a CNS and a Masters in Nursing.
In 2011, Patty helped oversee Premier’s addition of a state-of-the-art Endoscopy Suite for the use of urological procedures. Patty shared her expertise in the design, paying careful attention to traffic flow within the facility in order to maintain patient privacy while allowing for immediate physician access and monitoring. “This practice seems to constantly focus on doing better. We are continuously reassessing and reevaluating our processes and instrumentation, looking for the next best thing,” adds Sullivan.
Despite her busy schedule, Patty continues to cover operating room trauma services at St. Francis Hospital and plays a very active role in her children’s education as a parent and volunteer. With over four decades of experience, Patty has witnessed a wide variety of changes within the healthcare setting, but has never lost sight of the most important aspect of nursing – quality of care for the patients. A true testament to a committed and compassionate human being, Sullivan’s continued work and dedication to the medical practice has laid the foundation for many nurses to come.
Excellence in Nursing Award
For the 7th year, Hudson Valley Magazine proudly presented an elegant evening honoring local nurses across all areas of healthcare from hospitals to research facilities. The honorees and guests enjoyed a cocktail reception and sit down dinner followed by dancing to celebrate. Pick up the May 2014 issue of Hudson Valley Magazine to see the complete list of the recipients of the Excellence in Nursing Award.