Pictured left to right: Cynthia Russo, Clinical Nurse Specialist, CPDIR, Nursing Education & Quality; Lisa M. Nevius, Administrative Director of Patient Care, Med Surg/Tele; Katlyn Laba, Director of Patient Care for Medical Surgical Unit 1 and Surgical Unit 1, and Dawn Hutchinson, Chief Nursing Officer, RWJUH Hamilton.
Hamilton Township, NJ, September 3, 2025 – Recently Nursing Leadership at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, held a ceremony to present 20 team members NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders) pins and certificates of completion in support of sustaining the hospital’s NICHE designation. NICHE, the largest geriatric nursing program available, provides a practice model that optimizes the hospital’s ability to provide evidence-based, interdisciplinary care that promotes better outcomes, positive experiences, and improved care for older adults. This designation, along with the hospital’s recognition as an Age-Friendly Health System – Committed to Care Excellence, Level 2, supports RWJUH Hamilton’s commitment to elder care expertise, consistency, and best practice.
“We are proud to celebrate another significant milestone in our NICHE journey, recognizing this group of leaders and staff who have successfully completed the program’s training modules,” said Dawn Hutchinson, MSN, RN, PCCN-K, NEA-BC, Chief Nursing Officer at RWJUH Hamilton. “Their dedication inspires us to continue to better address the unique needs of our older patients, enhancing their comfort and improving outcomes throughout the hospital. Our older adult patients, in every unit of the hospital, have different needs, and what matters to them is important of us.”
Every honoree completed the credit hours required for the specialized geriatric patient education and training. Certificates were awarded for the Leadership Training Program, which equips clinical leaders with skills to implement the NICHE practice model within their patient care areas; Geriatric Resource Nurse training prepares staff nurses to be a clinical resource for other care team members. Geriatric Patient Care Assistant training prepares nursing assistants with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide compassionate and effective care for older adults under the guidance of nurses.
The ceremony and pinning are symbolic of the team’s dedication to geriatric care and their participation in the NICHE program.
NICHE Leadership Training
- Roseann Baker, MSN, RN, Director, Emergency Services & Intensive Care
- Jennifer Chaiken, BSN, RN, CEN, NPD-BC, Clinical Nurse Educator, Center for Professional Development, Research and Innovation (CPDIR), Emergency Department
- Lisa Egbert, BSN, RN, Clinical Coordinator, ED
- Tammy Leigh, MSN, RN, Administrative Director of the ICU/ED
Geriatric Resource Nurse (GRN)
The GRN model is a key component of NICHE, providing education and clinical training to prepare nurses to be leaders, educators, and consultants on geriatric best practices.
- Ana Albuquerque, BSN, RN
- Roseann Baker, MSN, RN
- Ryan Brevogel, BSN, RN
- Dustin Bullock, RN
- Sarmite Catalfomo, MSN, RN, PCCN
- Jennifer Chaiken, BSN, RN, CEN, NPD-BC
- Barbara Desalvo, RN
- Jenna Garzillo, RN
- Teresa Pachuta, BSN, RN
- Ceara Phillips, BSN, RN
Geriatric Patient Care Assistant (GPCA)
The GPCA designation is also part of the NICHE program, involving training and recognition in the care of geriatric patients.
- Marie Boursiquot
- Ophelia Hall-Adams
- Latasha Long
- Sharronda Massie
- Marie Prosper
- Rachel Rene
- Jennifer Robinson
- Muhammad Sajeel
- Shaneka Watkins
Implementing Best Practices, Support & Resources
In 2025, RWJUH Hamilton is enhancing mobility for its older patients. “We recognize that regular movement is vital to the recovery, independence, and overall health of these patients,” says Lisa Nevius, MSN, RN, OCN, NEA-BC, Administrative Director of Patient Care for Medical-Surgical Units, RWJUH Hamilton. “As part of this focus, our team ensures these patients are safely mobilized as often as possible.”
In addition, 10 of the hospital’s summer junior volunteers were trained by GPCAs to assist the units five days a week with interventions targeted at delirium risk factors, including orientation, therapeutic activities, vision and hearing protocols, hydration, and sleep enhancement. The teens also provided emotional and social support, including reading or engaging in conversation to alleviate stress or anxiety for older patients; making welcome kits with personal care items; orienting patients to their call bell/surroundings; assisting with meal orders; and providing comfort and companionship. The training is being expanded outside of the medical surgical units to all patient care areas.
Learn more at rwjbh.org/geriatrics
Pictured left to right: Jenna Garzillo, RN; Ryan Brevogel, BSN, RN; Tammy Leigh, MSN, RN, Administrative Director of the ICU/ED; Ceara Phillips, BSN, RN; Ophelia Hall-Adams; Jennifer Robinson; Marie Boursiquot ;Barbara De Salvo RN; Latasha Long; Roseann Baker, MSN, RN, Director, Emergency Services & Intensive Care; Lisa Egbert, BSN, RN, Clinical Coordinator, ED; Jennifer Chaiken, BSN, RN, CEN, NPD-BC, Clinical Nurse Educator, Center for Professional; and Muhammad Sajeel
About RWJUH Hamilton
Located in Hamilton Township, NJ, Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton (RWJUH Hamilton), an RWJBarnabas Health facility, serves Mercer County as well as a larger five-county region of New Jersey. RWJBarnabas Health and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton’s Cancer Center, in partnership with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey – the state’s only NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center - brings a world class team of researchers and specialists to its cancer center, providing close-to-home access to the latest treatment and clinical trials. RWJUH Hamilton is Joint Commission Certified, Primary Stroke Center Certified from The Joint Commission, and a Center for Excellence from The Joint Commission for stroke, spine surgery and hip and knee replacement and is MAGNET® Recognized from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
RWJUH Hamilton’s other specialties include heart and vascular care, including emergency and elective angioplasty, heart failure intervention program, groundbreaking therapies and new surgical techniques with an innovative team of neurosurgeons, subspecialty neurologists, and neuroscience researchers coupled with the specialty-trained support staff, treatment and care for minor injuries and life-threatening illnesses, outpatient diagnostic and treatment services and medical/surgical services, bariatric surgery, wound care, women’s health, geriatrics/ senior health and wellness care, infusion services, outpatient rehabilitation and physical therapy centers, including cardiac rehab, orthopedic rehab, speech therapy, aquatic therapy, a balance and hearing center and sleep center.
Media Contact:
Sherry Smith, Director, Strategic Marketing & Communications
(609)-584-6583
sherry.smith2@rwjbh.org