The University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing has honored 300 nurses with the prestigious Cameos of Caring Award, since the programs inception in 1999. This year, 20 of the Cameos of Caring Awardees are graduates of the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing. Several of these Awardees are highlighted below:
Dale E. Heron, CRNA, MSN
University of Pittsburgh Physicians, Department of Anesthesiology
2007 Cameos of Caring Advanced Practice Awardee
Dale Heron is a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) at UPMC Presbyterian Hospital and a member of the UPMC Trauma and Transplant Anesthesia Team. He obtained his bachelor’s degree from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh Nurse Anesthesia Program. He is a member of the American Association of Nurse Anesthetists and the Pennsylvania Association of Nurse Anesthetists.
“Dale consistently demonstrates mastery in the anesthetic management of all types of cases, including complicated cardiac, trauma, and transplant cases,” says Debra Weimer, CRNA, MSN, assistant CRNA clinical director. “He is frequently requested by anesthesiologists as the anesthetist to provide care in their assigned room.”
Heron was instrumental in developing a CRNA SharePoint web site and in creating a template for anesthesia case setups at UPMC Presbyterian. He is an adjunct faculty member at the University of Pittsburgh Nurse Anesthesia Program and an instructor at the Peter M. Winter Institute for Simulation, Education, and Research, where he uses simulation education in anesthesia training. Heron is also a first lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserves CRNA Army Nurse Corps; he served on a forward surgical team in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003.
“My personal goal has always been to provide optimal patient care throughout the entire operative course, from the initial anesthetic interview through the post-operative transfer of care,” says Heron.
Darlene Gattens, RN, MN
West Penn Allegheny Health System, The Western Pennsylvania Hospital School of Nursing
2007 Cameos of Caring Nurse Educator Awardee
Darlene Gattens is an instructor in The Western Pennsylvania Hospital’s School of Nursing. Gattens earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Pittsburgh and was named University Scholar after the master’s program.
Gattens is co-chair of the School's Admissions and Progression Committee and a member of its Faculty Organization and Program Evaluation committees, as well as of the Hospital's Research Committee and Staff Nurse Council.
Currently a resident of Aspinwall, Gattens has served as a board member of the Murrysville Area Soccer Association and as treasurer of PLN Area VI for two terms, and she is currently on the PLN Area VI ballot for president. She is also a member of Sigma Theta Tau and an honorary member of the St. Francis School of Nursing Alumni Association.
Gattens volunteers at West Penn Hospital giving flu shots and TB screenings and assists with the mandatory competencies yearly. She also participates in career fairs to recruit new students to nursing.
“Nursing education has been a priority and love of mine for the past 30 years. It is an exciting part of the nursing profession,” says Gattens. “I love to watch the students grow as they progress through the curriculum and know I have had a part in it.”
Karen F. Little, RN, MSN
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System, Heinz Division
2007 Cameos of Caring Awardee
“One of the reasons I became a nurse is the appreciation you get from patients and their families,” says Little. “When you see a patient walking around town months later, and they tell their spouse or children, ‘she’s the one who saved my life!’ all the hard times just seem to disappear.”
Little is involved with many committees at VAPHS, including: Medication Reconciliation committee, Bar Code Medication Administration committee, Laryngectomy and Tracheostomy Work Group, JCAHO Tracer methodology committee, and the Journal Club. She also participates within her church and has five grandchildren who keep her on her toes.