Samantha DiCicco, RN, MBA Chief Executive Officer of the Albany Med Health System Visiting Nurses | Albany Medical Health System
Samantha DiCicco, RN, MBA Chief Executive Officer of the Albany Med Health System Visiting Nurses | Albany Medical Health System
Pediatric nurse clinician Colleen Umholtz has been named Albany Medical Center's 2024 Employee of the Year. Umholtz, who works in Schenectady, was chosen from over 100 nominations submitted by staff members.
Umholtz began her career at Albany Medical Center in 1988 and has served in various roles, including as a staff nurse, pediatric hematology/oncology clinical care coordinator, and clinical nurse specialist at the Bernard and Millie Duker Children's Hospital. Since 2015, she has been a nurse clinician on the general pediatrics unit with a focus on quality and safety.
The announcement was made during a leadership meeting on December 16th, where Umholtz was joined by colleagues and family. Dennis P. McKenna, MD, President and CEO of Albany Med Health System, presented the award to her.
Dr. McKenna stated, "Colleen is a dedicated nurse, an experienced educator, a trusted mentor, a patient advocate, and what many describe as the heart of the unit. We are all grateful to have her on our team."
Upon receiving the award, Umholtz expressed her gratitude: "Albany Med has been home to me for many years, through ups, downs and in-betweens," she said. "I really appreciate this from the bottom of my heart."
The Employee of the Year is selected based on qualities outlined in the Albany Med CARES program—compassion, accountability, respect, and engagement.
A colleague remarked on Umholtz's dedication: "What makes Colleen stand out is her dedication to her job... Our patients know that if they have questions or want to know what resources are available or if they simply need a shoulder to cry on or someone to make them laugh, Colleen is there."
Another colleague noted: "Colleen is someone who deserves all the recognition but also someone who will tell you she does nothing more than her job... She challenges everyone she works with to do better and to be better for our patients."
After receiving the honor, Umholtz reflected: "There are no words for me to say how I feel right now. It just shows that all the years of hard work and dedication here... people appreciate all the work that not only I do but that all the nurses do here."
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