Two staff members at Women & Infants Hospital of Rhode Island were recently awarded the annual Richard P. Welch Award for Continued Excellence in Patient and Family Centered Care.
Established in 2006 by the family and friends of the late Richard “Dick” Welch, the award was inspired by his unwavering commitment to excellence in patient and family centered care during his 35-year tenure serving Women & Infants as a trustee, board chair and chief operating officer. Awards are presented annually for a clinical and non-clinical employee.
The awards were presented by Mary Welch, Dick Welch’s wife, and Mary Pat Denci, his daughter, to Giovanna “Jenny” Todisco, LPN (clinical), and Heather O’Reilly (non-clinical).
Todisco of Johnston, a licensed practical nurse in the Emergency Department, has worked at Women & Infants for nearly 54 years. One of her colleagues noted, “Whether she is caring for a scared mother having her first baby or a terminally ill oncology patient, Jenny always takes the time to hear the patient’s and family’s story and adapts her nursing care to meet their individual need.”
O’Reilly of North Smithfield has worked in Women & Infants’ Food and Nutrition Department for 17 years. In nominating her for this honor, one of her colleagues noted, “No matter the circumstances, Heather understands and takes customer service very seriously. Heather is one employee who demonstrates how far the human touch can reach.”