Nurse From Albert Einstein Medical Center Honored With
Nightingale Award of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, November 15, 2005– Nancy Pokorny, RN, MS, a long-time employee of Albert Einstein Medical Center, and a Northeast Philadelphia resident, has
been honored with a Nightingale
Patient Choice Award. Nancy, who has been with Einstein for 34 years, is currently a Nursing Career Specialist. She is the only nurse in the
state of Pennsylvania selected for this award.
The
Nightingale Patient Choice Award is presented to an exemplary nurse who has made a significant difference in the life of a patient and family. Nancy was
nominated by Mindy Marynowitz who is grateful for the care and support Nancy gave to her family during a major medical crisis.
In 1993, Mindy’s husband John Marynowitz, a young Philadelphia police officer, was shot and critically injured in the line
of duty. John was rushed to the Emergency Department at Albert Einstein Medical Center where he was a patient in the Intensive
Care Unit for several months.
Nancy’s path to nursing started at age 13 when she became a candy striper at Einstein. Over the course of her career, she
has held a number of staff and managerial nursing positions in the emergency, psychiatry, surgical and orthopaedic departments.
“Nancy represents the best of nursing and we’re all proud that she’s a member of our staff,” says Mary Beth Kingston, Einstein’s
Chief Nurse Executive. “Her commitment to patients and her belief that nurses make a difference each day is evident in everything
she does,” adds Kingston.
Nancy has always had a special interest in counseling patients and families in crisis. On the day of the shooting, Nancy
was home on vacation when she heard the news report that police officer John Marynowitz had been brought to Einstein’s emergency
room. She jumped right in and called the emergency room to offer help to his family.
Nancy was particularly interested in helping because of her own family tragedy. In 1983, her brother, a Philadelphia police
officer, was killed in a police car crash. Having lived through this trauma, Nancy felt a connection to the Marynowitz family
and wanted to support them. Her concern started the day of the shooting when she stayed overnight in the emergency room to
help Mindy, and it continues to this day.
Even though Nancy was not responsible for John’s nursing care, she regularly visited his wife and visitors while he was in
the Intensive Care Unit. “I don’t think there was a single lunch break when Nancy didn’t come to my husband’s room to ask
if we were okay and see if we needed anything,” says Mindy. Nancy encouraged Mindy and family and friends to talk about the
shooting in order to help them process their feelings. “I feel like Nancy was an angel sent into my life to help guide me
through an extremely difficult time. Not only has she helped me psychologically, she has also educated me about the nursing
care I provide for my husband,” adds Mindy.
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network, a member of the Jefferson Health System, provides healthcare services through Albert Einstein
Medical Center, Germantown Community Health Services, Willow Terrace (a nursing home), Einstein at Elkins Park, MossRehab,
Willowcrest (a center for subacute care), Belmont Behavioral Health and a number of outpatient and satellite locations. Einstein
also operates a primary care network, Einstein Neighborhood Healthcare. For more information, visit
www.einstein.edu or call 1-800-EINSTEIN.
CONTACT: Judy Horwitz
Communications Specialist
Albert Einstein Healthcare Network
215-456-6730
horwitzj@einstein.edu
Publish date: November 17, 2005
