Congratulations to Lori Cillo, RN, from the Emergency Department at Southern New Hampshire Medical Center! During October’s Emergency Nurses Week, Cillo was awarded the Emergency Nurse of the Year Award, presented by the New Hampshire Emergency Nurses’ Association (NH ENA).
In the nomination letter for Cillo, it reads, “Lori Cillo is an emergency nurse who exemplifies the critical thinking, motivation, team-oriented and leadership skills required to provide the very best bedside nursing care in such a challenging environment.”
It went on to say, “From the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, where uncertainty and fear fueled the chaos of the Emergency Department, Lori led our staff with the grace, poise, and calmness of a veteran leader. She ensured that staff received critical information through daily huddles, consistently disseminating information concisely and efficiently while supporting the frequently evolving changes in personal protective equipment (PPE). Lori continued to encourage, mentor, and support staff who were uncertain in the trajectory this pandemic would take us, and often stood in front of whatever challenges arose whether it was a COVID-19-positive cardiac arrest patient or a waiting room full of anxious patients awaiting care.”
The president of NH ENA honored Cillo with her award virtually via ZOOM. Staff at the Emergency Department gathered around computers to watch. She also received flowers!
Cillo has earned the respect of everyone in the department, from the newest to the most seasoned staff, as a reliable, supportive resource nurse who always has the best interest of our patients, their families, and our staff at the forefront of her actions.