Barton Awards Spotlight Excellence in Nursing
Eight recipients of the Barton Excellence in Nursing Practice Award were nominated by their colleagues for their commitment to the mission, vision and values of Cape Cod Hospital.
Cape Cod Hospital proudly honored eight of its exceptional nurses and two future nurses during the annual Barton Excellence in Nursing Practice Award and Scholarship Awards ceremony, held on May 8 in the Lorusso Board Room.
This meaningful event—attended by award winners, coworkers, family and friends—recognizes those who embody the highest standards of patient care and personify the mission, vision and values of Cape Cod Hospital. The ceremony began with heartfelt opening remarks from Lori Jewett, MSN, RN, Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Operations at Cape Cod Healthcare, followed by inspiring comments from Mary Johnson, Vice President of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Officer at Cape Cod Hospital.
As Jewett, herself a nurse by training, reflected, “I am always honored to stand up here and participate in this ceremony with all of you.” Johnson echoed her sentiments, sharing a story about a talented musician friend who could play songs by ear—drawing a parallel to the intuition and skill nurses bring to their work. It was a fitting reminder, she noted, of Florence Nightingale’s words: “Nursing is an art,” requiring not only compassion, but also dedication, training, and expertise.
The Barton Award is named in honor of Ethel M. Barton, who began her career at Cape Cod Hospital in 1926 and served for 45 years. A trailblazer in nursing leadership, Barton was named Director of Nursing Emeritus upon her retirement in 1971. Her legacy continues through this award, generously funded each year by the Laraja Foundation, founded by the late Joseph G. Laraja—a devoted philanthropist and healthcare advocate.
This year’s recipients are:
- Suzanne Barczak, RN, Oncology
- Joseph Conrad-Ferm, RN, PACU
- Melissa Cronin, RN, CCH / OBGYN
- Aryna Fulcher, RN, North 3
- Rhonda Healy, LPN, South 2
- Renee Nunnally, RN, Emergency Department
- Rachel Richards, RN, Critical Care
- Melissa Shea, RN, BSN, OCN
In addition, scholarships were awarded to two outstanding high school seniors from Barnstable County who are enrolling in a program at a college or university to become a Registered Nurse. Congratulations to this year’s graduating seniors Lily Gladkowski, Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, who has been accepted into the nursing program at Norwich University; and Emiliia Stukalo, Dennis-Yarmouth Regional High School, who has chosen to attend UMass Dartmouth to pursue her BSN degree.
Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients!
Enjoy a slideshow of photos from the awards ceremony on May 8 (click arrow on right below or swipe left on mobile device).
This year’s recipients of the Barton Excellence in Nursing Practice Award: (Back row) Joseph Conrad-Ferm, RN; Aryna Fulcher, RN; Melissa Cronin, RN; and Suzanne Barczak, RN; (Front row): Renee Nunnally, RN; Rhonda Healy, LPN; and Melissa Shea, RN, BSN.
Lori Jewett, MSN, RN, Chief Operating Officer of Cape Cod Healthcare, opens the ceremony by sharing the history behind the annual nursing awards.
Suzanne Barczak, RN, in oncology receives the award from Mary Johnson, MSN, RN, Vice President of Patient Care and Chief Nursing Officer at Cape Cod Hospital.
Mary Johnson presents the Barton Award to Joseph Conrad-Ferm, a nurse in the Surgical Day Care/Post Anesthesia Care Unit (SDC/PACU).
Melissa Cronin, RN, CCH/OBGYN, is all smiles as she receives the award from Mary Johnson.
Cape Cod Hospital nursing staff, including Nurse Manager Melanie Marie Cassista and Clinical Leader Dawn Sabo-Zola (in red) from North 3, give a round of applause to the award winners.
Aryna Fulcher, RN, from North 3
Rhonda Healy, LPN, from South 2
Renee Nunnally, RN, Emergency Department
Lily Gladkowski, a senior at Cape Cod Regional Technical High School, attends the awards ceremony in the Lorusso Boardroom on May 8.
Mugar 5 Nurse Manager Sandy Bissell, RN, BSN, with Lily Gladkowski, one of the student scholarship award winners. Lily is planning to study nursing at Norwich University.
