STRUCTURAL EMPOWERMENT focuses on nursing professional development, recognition, and community involvement.

Valley Hospice Presents Live Theatrical Performance About End-of-Life Choices

Valley Hospice presented a theatrical performance designed to explain end-of-life decision-making and patient advocacy through a fictional enactment of real-life scenarios. 

The event was imagined and brought to life by Maribeth Kearney, MPA, BSN, RN, CHPN, Director, Valley Hospice, who envisioned a more engaging way to address a topic that is often difficult to discuss. The performance featured two fictional scenarios that highlighted the importance of advance planning, honoring patient wishes, and navigating complex family and clinical dynamics. One focused on family conflict and the role of care teams in centering conversations on what the patient wants, while the other explored a patient who advocated for quality of life and medical aid in dying. 

More than 250 community members and healthcare professionals attended the event, which was followed by a multidisciplinary panel discussion that further emphasized how hospice supports patients and families across the continuum of care – from planning and choice to bereavement. The overwhelmingly positive response has already sparked plans for future performances!

Click here to watch the event recap or click here for the full performance!

DAISY Awards for 2025

Each year, we recognize a monthly winner from The Valley Hospital, and a quarterly winner from Valley Home Care, with the DAISY Award. View all 2025 DAISY Award Winners! 

Congratulations, Nurses Week Award Winners!

Congratulations to the following Nurses Week award winners for 2025! 

Tracy Cornejo, RN, Emergency Department – DAISY Nurse of the Year

Sonia Godfrey, RN, Geriatrics/Pulmonary (North 7A) – Nurse of the Year

Sofiya Rivna, RN, IMC (North 5B) – Rising Star of the Year (not pictured)

Valerie Quigley, Manager, Infusion Center – Nurse Leader of the Year (not pictured)

Drew D’Ercole Receives Emerging Leader Award

drew

Congratulations to Drew D’Ercole, MSN, APN-BC, RN, Director of Care Coordination at The Valley Hospital, who has been recognized with the Emerging Leader Award – Acute Care by the New Jersey Hospital Association (NJHA)! Click here to read more about Drew’s award.

Leadership Academy

Valley graduated its fourth cohort of employees in the Leadership Academy program, which develops future Valley leaders.

Graduates

  • Jeykid Acosta, Human Resources
  • Lori Sobral, Coding
  • Kathleen Dripchak, Human Resources
  • Justine Sendecki, Outpatient Physical Therapy, Mahwah
  • Melissa Tedesco, VP Revenue Cycle
  • Lisa Channell, Health and Wellness Center
  • Kari King, Minimally Invasive Gynecological Surgery
  • Kaitlin Corral, Population Health
  • Svetlana Fidrya, VC Nursing Team 4
  • Peter Andrawis, Pharmacy
  • Muniath Choudhury, Medical Staff Administration
  • Sarah DiPaolo, Information Systems
  • Scott Botbyl, Human Resources
  • Emily Davies, Operating Room
  • Danielle Nacinovich, Access & Navigation
  • Charissa Fischkelta, VC Administration
  • Gazala Dave, Hospitalist
Load More

Finding Connection and Harmony at Valley’s Holistic Conference

The Valley Hospital was thrilled to welcome nearly 200 attendees to the 2025 Holistic Conference! The event invited participants to explore the health of the human spirit and holistic modalities through insightful talks (including keynote speaker, Brian Luke Seaward, PhD), poster presentations, vendors, and more. 

group of valley employees attending holistic conference

David Rivera Honored by the Detectives Crime Clinic of New Jersey and New York

David Rivera, DNP, RN, FNP-BC, Assistant Vice President of Medical/Surgical Services at The Valley Hospital, was honored by the Detectives Crime Clinic of New Jersey and New York for his community service and work with the local VFW in Orange County, N.Y. His recognition – the Outstanding Law Enforcement/Military Supporter Award – is given to those who go above and beyond in their efforts to enhance the well-being of their community through their support of local law enforcement and Veterans.

david rivera receiving award

Valley Nurses Give Back to the Community

In 2025, Valley nurses served the community in numerous ways, including making donations to help those in need, leading support groups, and offering their clinical expertise.

Valley’s APP Council Supports Ridgewood Food Bank with Donation

app's donating to food bank
 (l-r) Robin Giordano, MA, RN, ANP, Chair, Advanced Practice Services; Monika Reisenauer, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC, Lead APP, Inpatient and Outpatient Pediatrics; and Judy Saydah, VP of Pantry for the Social Services Association

In 2025, Valley’s Advanced Practice Provider (APP) Council made a generous donation to the Ridgewood Food Bank to support families in need. Monika Reisenauer, DNP, APRN, NNP-BC, Lead APP, Inpatient and Outpatient Pediatrics, and Robin Giordano, MA, RN, ANP, Chair, Advanced Practice Services, visited the food bank to present a $500 donation and canned goods to help stock the shelves.  The APP Council also shared brochures highlighting Valley’s Family Care Center and medical services available to the community.

The Ridgewood Food Bank, a proud member of the Social Services Association since 1913, serves families in need across six towns and allows those who have demonstrated financial need to shop directly in the pantry, choosing the items that best meet their household needs. In addition, some families may qualify for utility bill assistance, providing an extra layer of support during difficult times.

Thank you to the APP Council for your generous contributions. Your support makes it possible for us to continue serving families with dignity and compassion.

integrated aortic program support group presentation
(l-r) Susan Conzelmann, Integrated Aortic Program Administrative Coordinator; Samantha Vacante, Cardiac Surgery Practice Supervisor; Habib Jabagi, MD, Cardiac Surgeon and Director of the Aortic Aneurysm Program at The Valley Hospital; Caitlin Ciallella, APN; and Dan Sperry, Manager, Information Systems

Integrated Aortic Support Group Launches

Valley’s Integrated Aortic Program, which offers care to patients living with an aortic aneurysm, hosted its first support group! This group, led by Caitlin Ciallella, DNP, AGACNP-BC, Advanced Practice Nurse for the Integrated Aortic Program, provides patients and their loved ones with a supportive environment to share their experiences, ask their care team for advice, and learn more about aneurysms.

Valley Medical Group’s Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group 

Valley Medical Group (VMG) offers a Pulmonary Fibrosis Support Group for patients, caregivers, and loved ones affected by pulmonary fibrosis and other fibrotic lung diseases.

“This group provides a setting where patients experiencing pulmonary fibrosis can come together to learn about the disease and available treatments; obtain tools to make better decisions regarding their care; express thoughts and feelings; and mutually support each other,” said Emma Goebel, APN, support group coordinator at VMG.

Valley Nurses Lead Conversations Like No Other

Valley nurses have shared their voices, experiences, and expertise through Conversations Like No Other – Valley’s podcast that goes deeper into the real topics facing men, women, and children of all ages.

Click here to listen to podcast episodes featuring Valley nurses, including:

  • From Bump to Beat: How Pregnancy Hypertension Shapes Heart Health with Chelsea Benell, APN, FNP-C
  • Stroke Sense: Recognize & React with Eileen Gornell, RN, MSN, SCRN, ASC-BC
  • Red, Hot, and Painful with Kelly Rainville, MSN, RN, CWOCN
  • Honest Conversations about Dying with Maribeth Kearney, MPA, BSN, RN, CHPN
  • The Role Nutrition Plays on Adolescent Growth with Rachel Devine, APN, CPNP, CDCES
  • It's Not Always About Chest Pain with Mary Collins, APN-BC, HN-BC

Navigate the 2025 Nursing Annual Report