Rockledge, Florida (June 23, 2016) – Wuesthoff Health System has honored registered nurses Nancy Hamlin and Patricia DeNardis as its 2015 Nurses of the Year for their work at the Rockledge and Melbourne campuses, respectively.

Every year, a nurse from each campus receives the award based on peer nominations. The Nurse of the Year honors service excellence, patient care, teamwork, and going above and beyond.

Nancy Hamlin has spent the last 31 years in nursing at Wuesthoff. Before joining the Wuesthoff team, Hamlin was a nurse for 10 years in the Pittsburgh area. She has a national certification in gastroenterology and works in ambulatory care endoscopy in Rockledge.

“I enjoy it, being involved in both patient care and the technical aspects such as operating equipment,” she said. “It’s a combination of both things.”

During her high school years, Hamlin was planning to become a teacher. But her then-boyfriend – now her husband – suffered a motorcycle accident and was hospitalized. While visiting him in the hospital and observing the staff, she became interested in patient care. “I want to treat the patients like family,” she said.

Hamlin’s philosophy of nursing entails “taking ownership” of her work, holding herself accountable for every action. “I’ve always tried to make my work the best that it could be,” she said, adding that her Nurse of the Year recognition came as a surprise. “I was amazed. It’s a great honor to be chosen by your peers. It’s made 41 years of nursing well worth it.”

Gary Malaer, chief executive officer at Wuesthoff’s Rockledge campus, said he was happy to see Hamlin receive the award and considers her highly deserving. “We feel very fortunate to have nurses of such a high caliber caring for our patients,” he said. “Nancy touches a lot of lives and administers a level of care that makes her highly valued.”

Patricia DeNardis is a Certified Ambulatory Peri-Anesthesia Nurse with 31 years of nursing experience. A member of the Wuesthoff team since 2003, DeNardis is the clinical manager of the Ambulatory Care Center (ACC), pre-admission testing and endoscopy departments in Melbourne.

“What I like about working in ACC is that every day is different,” she said. “I feel such a great sense of accomplishment; it's great when a returning patient remembers you from a previous visit and states what great care you provided.”

A New Jersey native, DeNardis is working toward a master’s degree from Western Governors University. She said that Wuesthoff has been an excellent place to work. “I love working here. Wuesthoff has the friendly, family feel,” she said. “It’s a close-knit group. Several of the people who were here when I started are still here. I have total confidence in this hospital.”

Being a nurse requires a personality that includes such traits as compassion, selflessness and the ability to listen well to others, she said. “Nurses are hard-working, all about the patient,” DeNardis said. “I didn’t go into it for the money or the prestige.”

Wuesthoff–Melbourne CEO Ron Gicca praised DeNardis for her long service to Wuesthoff and its patients. “Patty exhibits all the positive traits we look for in nurses,” he said. “Her work here is phenomenal and we couldn’t be more pleased to have her on staff.”

About Wuesthoff Health System
The Mission of Wuesthoff Health System: Everyone doing everything to pursue the perfect patient experience. Wuesthoff Health System includes Wuesthoff Medical Center–Rockledge and Wuesthoff Medical Center–Melbourne, both full acute care hospitals and Wuesthoff Health Services, a network of affiliates providing hospice, home care, home medical equipment, and assisted living services.