Genalyn Vargas, MSN, RN-BC
Cooper University Health Care has named Genalyn Vargas, MSN, RN-BC, of Somerdale, New Jersey, as the recipient of the William A. Schwartz, Jr. Nurse of the Year Award. Vargas, who works in Cooper’s Trauma Step Down Unit, also received The Ruth Parry/Moorestown Auxiliary Award for Excellence in Geriatric Nursing as part of Cooper’s Annual Nursing Excellence Awards presented in conjunction with National Nurses Week (May 6 to 12). The Nursing Excellence Awards recognize exceptional professional nurses and advanced practice nurses throughout the health system, as well as members of the collaborative care teams that support nursing.
Nurse of the Year Award is named in honor of the late William A. Schwartz, a long-time member of Cooper’s Board of Trustees who committed a significant amount of his time and talents to Cooper. He was particularly passionate about Cooper’s nursing team and supporting them in their service to patients.
“Genalyn is the backbone of the Trauma Step Down Unit night shift. She possesses a wealth of knowledge and is a resource to all staff. She is an exemplar of best practice and how to provide culturally competent, comprehensive patient care,” said Kathy Devine, DrNP, RN, NEA-BC, senior vice president and chief nursing executive at Cooper. “In addition to her dedication to care of trauma patients, specifically those in the geriatric population, her involvement in various hospital councils and committees helps elevate her practice and the practice of her colleagues.”
Recognizing the importance of teamwork in health care, each year Cooper also honors an outstanding team in addition to the individual awards. In 2024, Cooper’s Roberts Pavilion 5, an inpatient oncology unit at Cooper University Hospital in Camden, was named Team of the Year.
“The entire nursing team on Roberts Pavilion 5 provides not only outstanding care to our cancer patients and their families, but serve as warriors of hope, compassion, and healing in the battle against cancer,” Dr. Devine said.
“Nurses have been a cornerstone of our health care system for more than 137 years, and pillars of strength and courage for our patients,” said George E. Norcross III, chairman of the Cooper Board of Trustees. “Everyone at Cooper congratulates this year’s award winners and thanks all Cooper nurses, during Nurses Week and every day, for the important contributions they make to Cooper and the community.”
“This year’s Nursing Excellence Award winners inspire us with their dedication, lead us with their knowledge, and comfort us with their compassion. We are proud to call them Cooper nurses,” said Anthony J. Mazzarelli, MD, JD, MBE, co-CEO at Cooper.
“Cooper nurses are extraordinary clinicians who provide exceptional care throughout the health system. Today we are proud to celebrate not only the Nursing Excellence Award winners but all Cooper nurses for their tireless efforts, their empathy, and the expertise they bring to serving others each day.” said Kevin M. O’Dowd, JD, co-CEO at Cooper.
Award winners were nominated by their colleagues for their commitment to upholding the Cooper mission: “To serve, to heal, to educate” and are supported by gifts from generous donors to The Cooper Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Cooper University Health Care.
“These awards are made possible by the kindness and generosity of our donors. Their gifts allow us to recognize Cooper’s outstanding nurses in a meaningful way every year,” said Philip A. Norcross, Esq., chairman of The Cooper Foundation Board of Trustees.
The complete list of 2024 Cooper Nursing Excellence Awards winners:
Kaleem Gibbs, Kelemen 8, is the recipient of The Carol G. Tracey Compassion Award.
Rori Dajao, MD, FACOG, Obstetrics and Gynecology, is the recipient of The Nursing Alumni Excellence Award for Nursing-Physician Partnership.
Richard Heffernan, Jr., BS, Military, Diplomatic, and Field Surgical Affairs, is the recipient of The Women’s Board of Cooper Hospital Allied Health Professional Excellence Award (Non-Nursing).
Walter Faber, CCMA, CPT, CET, HC, Pavilion 9, is the recipient of The Barbara and Jack Tarditi Award for Excellence in Service (Non-Nursing).
Ian Griffiths, BSN, RN, Kelemen 9, is the recipient of The Shaina Horton Memorial Award for Excellence in Service.
Nicole Kipp, BSN, RN, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, is the recipient of the Barbara and Jack Tarditi Award for Excellence in Nursing Mentorship.
Dominic Parone, MSN, RN, CLN, CFRN, Air Transport Services, is the recipient of The Philip and Carole Norcross Award for Nurse Leadership.
Ashley Weinmann, MSN, APN-C, Palliative Care, is the recipient of The Moorestown Auxiliary Award for Excellence in Advanced Practice Nursing.
Jennifer Colona, MSN, RN, CCRN, TCRN, Clinical Education, is the recipient of The Barbara and Jack Tarditi Award for Excellence in Nursing Research.
Deborah Klanchar, MSN, APN-C, General Surgery, is the recipient of The Franklin Morse Archer, Jr., and Mary Joy Reeve Archer Memorial Award for Excellence in Outpatient Oncology Nursing.
Haylee Loveland, BSN, RN, Pavilion 5, is the recipient of The Rose Smith and Sue Zamitis Memorial Award for Excellence in Inpatient Oncology Nursing.
Clare Hansen, BSN, RN, MD Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper, is the recipient of The Women’s Board of Cooper University Health Care Award for Excellence in Ambulatory Nursing.
Genalyn Vargas, MSN, RN-BC, Trauma Step Down Unit, is the recipient of The Ruth Parry/Moorestown Auxiliary Award for Excellence in Geriatric Nursing and the Nurse of the Year Award.
Megan Bean, BSN, RN, Operating Room, is the recipient of The Philip and Carole Norcross Award for Excellence in Perioperative Nursing.
Lilly Tkacz, BSN, RN, Pavilion 6, is the recipient of The Selma and Martin Hirsch Award for Excellence in Medical Surgical Nursing.
Kelly Welch, BSN, RN, Emergency Department, is the recipient of The Lynn Nelson Award for Excellence in Emergency Nursing.
Veronica Mallamaci, BSN, RN, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, is the recipient of The John Henry Kronenberger Memorial Award for Excellence in Neonatal Nursing.
Samantha Wirsch, BSN, RN, CCRN, TCRN, Trauma Surgical ICU, is the recipient of The Award for Excellence in Trauma Nursing.
Samantha Harvey, BSN, RN, Intensive Care Unit, is the recipient of The William and Eileen Archer Award for Excellence in Critical Care Nursing.
Youngseog Kim, BSN, RN, Pavilion 9, is the recipient of The Cooper Heart Institute and The Heart House Award for Excellence in Cardiovascular Nursing.
Elizabeth Teti, BSN, RN, Mother Infant Unit, is the recipient of The Charlotte Tobiason Memorial Award for Excellence in Obstetrical Nursing.
Emmalee Love, BSN, RN, CPN, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, is the recipient of The Dr. Ronald Bernardin Memorial Award for Excellence in Pediatric Nursing.
Dino Ripa, BSN, RN, RCIS, Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, is the recipient of the Lori Osinski Award for Excellence in Procedural Nursing.
Andrew Chillari, Jr., RN, Clinical Decision Unit, is the recipient of the Lori Osinski Rising Star Award.
Yocelyn Hernandez, BSN, RN, Patient Care Services Pool, is the recipient of The Lori Osinski Award for Excellence in Self Care and Wellness.
Antonio Ferrer, Patient Care Services Pool, is the recipient of The Miss Donna Glover Memorial Award.
Pavilion 5 is the recipient of the Outstanding Team Award.
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