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For Immediate Release
July 9, 2007
Contact: Laura Buffum
732-751-7537
lbuffum@meridianhealth.com
OCEAN MEDICAL CENTER NURSE RECEIVES GOVERNORS AWARD
Brick, NJ - Ellen Barrington, R.N., of Ocean Medical Center, was one of only ten nurses throughout the state to receive the 2007 Governor's Nursing Merit Award, an award that honors individuals who demonstrate excellence in nursing, recognizing vital contributions of the nursing profession to our state's health care program. This award provides the opportunity to recognize the unique blend of technical experience and human compassion required of the State's nursing professionals. She was presented this award by the governor at a reception on Wednesday, June 6, 2007. Ellen has been a nurse at Ocean Medical Center for many years and is currently the nurse manager of the elderly acute care unit, a unit which provides emergency services and general medical and surgical treatment for acute disorders for senior citizens, rather than long-term residential care for chronic illnesses. "This is such a tremendous honor and recognizes our excellent nursing department here at OMC," said Ellen. "We are extremely proud of Ellen and the significant contribution she has made to the nursing profession. This is a wonderful recognition and a reflection of our entire nursing staff of devoted and talented professionals," explained Regina Foley, R.N., vice president of Nursing at Ocean Medical Center. Receiving this award is a true testament to nursing excellence at Meridian. Ellen is the thirteenth nurse from Meridian Health to receive this award in the past ten years. The Governor's Merit Award is another example of Meridian's commitment to nursing excellence. In 1998, Meridian Health was the first health care system in the nation to achieve the prestigious Magnet nursing status at each of its hospitals, an honor that was achieved again in 2002 when each hospital was recertified. Magnet award recognition is bestowed by the American Nurses Credentialing Center, the nation's foremost nursing accrediting and credentialing organization, to recognize hospitals with nursing staffs practicing the highest standards in nursing and clinical excellence. Meridian is also a nationally recognized leader in the development of advanced nursing careers, which has resulted in Meridian currently having the lowest nursing vacancy rate in New Jersey. "Nursing at all three of the Meridian Health partner hospitals, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Ocean Medical Center, and Riverview Medical Center, is of utmost importance. The nurses work in collaboration with physicians and hospital leadership to ensure each patient's experience is the best possible," added Regina. About Ocean Medical Center
Ocean Medical Center, a member of the Meridian Health family, is a 281-bed non-profit community hospital located in Brick New Jersey, providing health care programs and services in all major medical disciplines, including maternity; oncology; orthopedics and rehabilitation; general, neurological, thoracic, and vascular surgery; cardiology; dialysis; and emergency and critical care services. The Medical Center features Magnet award winning nurses and is a proud affiliate of University of Pennsylvania Cancer Network. Ocean Medical Center also operates the state's first Satellite Emergency Department in Point Pleasant, the Ocean Care Center. For more information, please call Meridian Health Line at 1-800-560-9990 or log on to our web site at www.meridianhealth.com.
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