Nursing Excellence Honored During Night of HOPE Celebration In New York City

Family Building Community Comes Together to Recognize Four Outstanding Nurses

(McLean, VA, May 28, 2009) With the New York City cityscape in the background, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association will honor Barbara Skidmore, RN, Center for Human Reproduction at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Manhasset, with the Joanne J. Amato Excellence in Nursing Award during the Night of Hope celebration on June 2. This prestigious award memorializes the work of Joanne J. Amato (1951 - 2005), and is presented to a nurse located in the Northeast Region of RESOLVE  who has outstanding clinical skills, a compassionate manner, and is dedicated to patient care. “Barbara Skidmore epitomizes Ms. Amato’s memory with her dedication to infertility patients every step of the way through their family building journey,” said Barbara Collura, RESOLVE’s Executive Director.

Barbara Skidmore was nominated along with Trina Dattolo, RN, from Shore Institute for Reproductive Medicine in Lakewood, New Jersey; Robin LaBelle from Shore Institute for Reproductive Medicine in Lakewood, New Jersey; and Joanne Soffing from Genesis Fertility & Reproductive Medicine, Brooklyn, NY.

The Joanne J Amato Excellence in Nursing award is a celebration of the life of Joanne Amato, RN, (1951 2005), a nurse coordinator at Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey. In 2000, Joanne was presented with a Star of RESOLVE award, and throughout her life and career, Joanne displayed the dedication and compassion that represents nursing at its best.

The Joanne J Amato Excellence in Nursing award is presented annually to an outstanding nurse clinician located in the Northeast Region by RESOLVE in partnership with Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey and the Amato family. This award will be given along with the Hope Awards to honor those who assist patients in reaching their family building goals. The event will take place on June 2, beginning at 6:00 p.m., at the historic Tavern on the Green in New York City. Emmy award-winning journalist Rita Cosby currently a special correspondent for CBS’ Inside Edition will host the evening’s ceremony.

“I am honored to recognize Barbara Skidmore as the Joanne J. Amato Excellence in Nursing award recipient,” said Anthony Amato, husband of Joanne Amato. “Ms. Skidmore is so dedicated to helping patients realize a dream and she is a role model for all nurses. The Amato family is thrilled to partner with RESOLVE and Reproductive Medicine Associates of New Jersey to present an award that represents the essence of who Joanne was and honors her dedication to helping others build the family of their dreams.”

The Night of Hope will support RESOLVE’s educational initiatives in helping the 7.3 million people in the U.S. build a family through increased public education, advocacy and support.

RESOLVE thanks its 2009 Night of Hope sponsors for their generous support of the Hope Awards.

Wall Street Sponsor:
Genesis Fertility & Reproductive Medicine

Park Avenue Sponsors:
Conceive Magazine
EMD Serono
Ferring Pharmaceuticals

To speak with the night’s awardees, please contact Shawn Taylor Zelman at 703.556.7172, szelman@resolve.org.

About RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association

Founded in 1974, RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association, headquartered in McLean, VA, is the oldest and largest consumer-based, nonprofit group that provides education, advocacy and compassionate support for those struggling with infertility in the United States. Each year, RESOLVE and its nationwide network of affiliates handle more than 1.5 million contacts from people seeking information and help.  For more information, visit the RESOLVE website at www.resolve.org.

Biographical Information on the Award Recipient and Nominees for the Joanne J. Amato Excellence in Nursing Award

Award Recipient:

Barbara Skimore, RN   

Barbara Skidmore, R.N. has been an integral part of the team at the Center for Human Reproduction at North Shore-Long Island Jewish Medical Center, Manhasset.  As the Donor Egg Coordinator, she counsels and helps patients every step of the way through their family building journey. She is active in the community serving as a founding member of the Long Island Reproductive Nurses Association.

Nominees:

Trina Dattola, RN 

Trina Dattolo is an IVF case manager at Shore Institute for Reproductive Medicine in Lakewood, New Jersey. She feels so fortunate to be able to provide personalized care to our patients for the last 10 years.

Robin Labelle, RN  

Robin LaBelle works at Shore Institute for Reproductive Medicine in Lakewood, New Jersey, and has worked in the women’s health care field for the past 17 years with a focus on infertility for 11 of those years

Joanne Soffing, RN  

Joanne Soffing has been employed at Genesis Fertility and Reproductive Medicine in Brooklyn, NY, since May of 1999. She began as an Ovulation Induction nurse until January of 2001, and now serves as an IVF nursing coordinator. In the course of her employment, Ms. Soffing has supervised hundreds of ovulation induction cycles and thousands of IVF cycles.