15 Hebrew SeniorLife Nurses Included in Annual “Salute to Nurses”

Fifteen nurses working across Hebrew SeniorLife’s Greater Boston campuses were nominated by patients, families, colleagues, and supervisors for the 2025 “Salute to Nurses” special report published in the Boston Globe Magazine. This annual feature recognizes area nurses whose dedication and care have saved lives and improved the quality of life of countless patients.

The nominees work across Hebrew SeniorLife campuses and specialties, including Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston, Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at NewBridge on the Charles, Center Communities of Brookline, Home Health, and Hospice Care.

Here are the nominated nurses for 2025:

1. Delaney Roberson, RN, nurse care manager at Center Communities of Brookline, was nominated for a second consecutive year. According to Molly Rose, resident services coordinator, “Delaney always helps me with any medical questions I have for residents. She always goes above and beyond. She is a phenomenal nurse and an exceptional colleague. She is such an asset to our team, and we are lucky to have her!”
    
2. Anna Qiu, RN, charge nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at NewBridge on the Charles, was nominated for a second consecutive year by Lozel Greenwood, RN, nurse manager, because “Anna is the model of what a team wishes a charge nurse to be. She is thoughtful, detail-oriented, conscientious, and caring. A critical thinker and a true innovator, Anna is always trying to think outside the box to meet the needs of the patients and her team. She is able to divide and conquer team duties, but does not just delegate: she engages with the team and helps them in real time. She is a true teacher and is willing to work with her nurses and nursing assistants to provide teaching on the floor. She helps to hold the team and herself accountable to a high standard of care. She is the kind of charge nurse you wish you had more of!”
    
3. Larysa Chou, RN, nurse manager at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston, has been nominated for the honor for two consecutive years. She was nominated by Nadejda Iurii, RN, a charge nurse and Hebrew SeniorLife’s Nurse of the Year 2024, because Chou “displays exceptional professionalism and leadership.” According to Iurii, “As a nurse manager, she consistently exemplifies the highest standards of care, not just for patients, but also for her staff. Larysa is an outstanding leader who demonstrates excellent communication, empathy, and problem-solving skills. She has an innate ability to handle complex situations with grace and ease, while remaining a calm and supportive presence for her team. Her dedication to fostering a collaborative, respectful environment has made a noticeable impact on the team. ”
   
    “She actively listens to their concerns, provides timely feedback, and always ensures they feel supported. This open line of communication has helped create a positive, motivated team dynamic. Additionally, her patient-centered approach ensures that every patient receives the highest quality of care. Her leadership has contributed to improved patient outcomes, and many patients express gratitude for her team’s professionalism and dedication. Her leadership inspires trust and confidence, and she is often regarded as a role model. Her fairness, integrity, and unwavering support have earned her respect from everyone on the team. Staff feel valued, empowered, and motivated under her leadership.”
    
4. Andrea Osuji, RN, staff nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at NewBridge on the Charles, was nominated for a second consecutive year by Lozel Greenwood, RN, nurse manager. In her nomination, Greenwood said, “Andrea has been working for Hebrew Rehabilitation Center for 20 years. She embraces our Hebrew SeniorLife cultural beliefs, and every day, she works by succeeding together, asking what matters, and speaking up. She practices these to deliver safe and quality care to our patients on the Memory Support Unit. ”
   
   “Andrea is a self-directed caregiver who focuses on asking what matters most to the patient before caring for them. As one of the primary nurses on the Memory Support Unit, Andrea role models person-centered care by treating her patients with compassion, kindness, and dignity. Her proactive, professional, and calm approach has been extremely helpful in caring for patients with dementia.”
   
   “Andrea collaborates with the nursing team and interdisciplinary team members, continuously advocating for her patients’ comfort and safety. She effectively communicates her observations of her patients while offering feedback and creative solutions on how she can best provide quality care to her patients.”
   
   “Andrea goes beyond and positively impacts the lives of our seniors with dementia care every day she works. Families often express their appreciation for Andrea. Staff and patients express their appreciation for her commitment to helping when asked, and I look forward to her professional growth in the nursing field.”
    
5. Meredine Pierre, RN, staff nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at NewBridge on the Charles, was honored before and nominated by Lozel Greenwood, RN, nurse manager. According to Greenwood, “Meredine Pierre is a compassionate, conscientious, and committed professional registered nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center. I am currently her nurse manager and have known Meredine for the past four years. Meredine is a soft-spoken individual and has demonstrated kindness and patience in caring for patients with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. She knows her strengths and her limitations. She does not shy away from her responsibilities, yet seeks out advice and resources in a timely and proactive manner. She holds her patient care associates accountable as well. Meredine demonstrates clinical competency as demonstrated by her effective communication with the nursing and medical team while advocating for her patients and maintaining the safety and comfort of her patients. Her calm demeanor and kindness on the night shift are appreciated.”
    
6. Dagmar Buckova, RN, staff nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at NewBridge on the Charles, was recognized by Lauraine Davidson, MD, a geriatric specialist at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston and NewBridge on the Charles, for being “a health care team’s dream nurse. She is the person that providers and other nurses can always count on to have the answer or be able to find it. She is the one who will always stay late or go the extra distance in whatever way is needed. I have worked with her for a few years on the skilled rehab unit, and Dagmar knows how to provide excellent care to patients who are very sick as well as emotional support for both patients and their families. She has trained most of our best nurses. Whenever I think that a certain nurse is terrific, it will turn out that Dagmar is the one who trained her and taught her excellent skills. She makes a huge difference for all of us!”
   
   Buckova was also nominated by Joanne Peskowitz, LICSW, a palliative care social worker, who wrote, “Dagmar goes above and beyond for her patients and their families. I have had the pleasure of working with her for four years. Dagmar is competent and kind and is willing to help when needed. Dagmar shows commitment to each patient’s care. She is a great nurse and team member, and I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with her.”
    
7. Contrina Glynn, LPN, charge nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston, was nominated by Sue Herzberg, whose mother is a long-time resident at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center. According to Herzberg, “Trina is a wonderful charge nurse and cares deeply about her patients. I have always trusted Trina to take excellent care of my mom. Not only does she go to extra lengths to ensure my mom’s safety, but she takes extra time to make sure my mom is comfortable. From my perspective, whenever I am concerned about anything, I know that I can call and talk to Trina, and she will know exactly what’s going on and provide assurances that my mom is doing fine. Perhaps one of the most significant things is that Trina facilitates the staffing and PCA coverage so that my mom has consistent people that she can recognize and feel comfortable with. I am grateful for Trina’s compassion, understanding, and patience in dealing with everyday challenges.”
    
8. Pearline Kirby, RN, staff nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston, was honored previously and nominated this year by Annette White, RN, nurse manager, because “Pearline is a staff nurse who demonstrates exceptional patient care, advocacy, compassion, an outstanding work ethic, and, most of all, a desire to learn. She demonstrates remarkable leadership qualities that guide the team effortlessly through the most stressful of times. For those patients who have a difficult time transitioning into long-term care placement, Pearline takes extra time to communicate the best strategies for the best possible outcomes with both staff and patients. She is committed to professional growth and is always eager to learn a new skill and share that knowledge with her co-workers. Pearline is a role model.”
    
9. Gorrette Kyakulagira, RN, staff nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at NewBridge on the Charles, was nominated by Laura Hunt, RN, nurse manager at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at NewBridge on the Charles in Dedham, who noted that, “in a time when health care staffing is in crisis, Gorrette has been present and flexible to support her fellow staff, the unit, and her patients. She is hardworking and has been recognized by nurse leaders for her excellent clinical skills. But more important than her hard work and clinical excellence is her incredible demeanor with patients and families. Gorrette is kind and thoughtful, and her compassion and tenderness have resulted in her being recognized by numerous family members, patients, and fellow staff members. She has the ability to make patients feel safe and also to make sure that their loved ones feel reassured.”
    
10. Catherine LeVie, RN, staff nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at NewBridge on the Charles, was nominated by Laura Hunt, RN, who said, “Cathy has been a phenomenal support to her team and the unit over the past year. Cathy has stepped up and gone above and beyond. She has been flexible with her schedule to make sure that there is staff on duty. She remains calm in stressful situations. She provides excellent communication to family members and is proactive about her communication with providers to make sure that patients get timely, high-quality care. Finally, and most importantly, Cathy is a wonderful provider of care to patients with dementia. She is skilled at working with patients who have challenging behaviors, a skill that is critical when working with our geriatric population.”
     
11. Lindsay Litcof, LPN, staff nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at NewBridge on the Charles, was nominated by Jessica Rogan, community life leader, who wrote, “Lindsay has such a warm and welcoming manner with patients, families, staff, and volunteers. She has a very calming and compassionate approach with our patients as well. It’s evident by watching her interactions with them that she cares for their well-being and sees them as unique individuals. I’ve always appreciated that no matter how busy she is, she will take the time to support any questions, needs, etc. that come up with Life Enhancement staff, and I’ve seen this with volunteers as well. One weekend, a per diem staff member was alone facilitating a group, and a patient had a fall. He was really shaken up from this, and Lindsay did an amazing job both attending to the patient and reassuring him.”
     
12. Jean Michel, RN, staff nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at NewBridge on the Charles, was nominated by Joseph Rodriguez, RN, nurse manager, who said, “Jean has been with Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at NewBridge [on the Charles] since May 2009. I have had the honor and pleasure of working with Jean since October 2019 as his nurse manager. He has proven to be an exceptional nurse during this time. Jean upholds Hebrew SeniorLife’s cultural beliefs at all times, and it is evident in his practice.
    
    “Jean leads the way by being an advocate for his patients as well as his peers. He leads by example and has his patients’ well-being and safety at the forefront of his practice…He approaches all that he does with a sense of motivation, teamwork, and professionalism. Jean is caring, compassionate, and a true professional. He is constantly looking for innovative ways to improve the care that he delivers to the seniors under his care and keep our team members engaged. He approaches everyone with respect, dignity, and compassion.”
    
    “I constantly hear from family members that they can rest assured that their loved ones will be well cared for when Jean is working. He constantly educates them in a calm manner and ensures that they understand the care that is being provided and the rationale in a way that is easy for them to understand.”
    
    “Jean also strives to be a mentor for our newer nurses, patient care associates, and nursing students. He takes this on wholeheartedly, knowing that he will have an impact on new staff on the floor, to ensure that the best care is given consistently and that we retain the talent we have. He is detail-oriented, motivated, and always looking for ways to continue to learn.”
     
13. Emiliya Moraliyska, RN, nurse care manager at Center Communities of Brookline, was nominated by Mimi Lewis, R3 program director, and Effie Hathaway, director of community life at the Brookline Housing Authority. Both are part of the leadership team at Right Care, Right Place, Right Time Initiative, which supports residents in proactively managing their health by effectively linking housing and health care. According to Lewis and Hathaway, “Emiliya has been a rock star in the Brookline Housing Authority team from her first day, and her dedication and exceptional work shine on a daily basis. It’s hard to pick one specific story, but here’s one that shows her passion for helping people and never giving up even against all odds.”
    
    “Over the last year, the R3 resident services team began to support a visually impaired resident at one of the BHA buildings. The team observed that the resident’s vision condition was likely a factor in social isolation; even during events or coffee hours, the resident remained quiet or seated alone. Through outreach conversations, Emiliya learned that the resident had made a few unsuccessful attempts to pursue cataract surgery. It was scheduled a few times, but due to mental health limitations, without the help of family or friends, the amount of coordination and planning needed was just too complicated, and she ended up cancelling the surgery every time. Emiliya fought to get every service in place to get the surgery done, coordinating six different pre- and post-surgery appointments with the hospital and medical specialists within her health insurance network. This required coordinating transportation and an escort to each appointment and involved many agencies to cover the costs. Emiliya created a detailed schedule for the resident and the team to remind her of each appointment and who would accompany her. Past failure kept us all doubtful, but Emiliya was determined — and she did it — the resident finally had the cataract surgery! Upon visiting the resident on the day after surgery, she noticed something different, but could not put her finger on it right away. Eventually, she realized that she and the resident were making real eye contact for the first time.”
    
    “The positive impact of this surgery in helping the resident be more connected to other people was immediate, as the resident expressed, ‘I didn’t know until now that my aide had brown hair; I always thought they were blonde!’ She continued to support this resident in following the strict pre- and post-surgery instructions and found a visiting nurse agency to administer frequent eye drops before and after surgery. The nurse care manager role is new in Hebrew SeniorLife housing, and Emiliya is a model we all look up to when we imagine this role.”
     
14. Joseph Rodriguez, RN, nurse manager at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at NewBridge on the Charles, was nominated by Sarah Sjöström, MSN, RN, ACNP-BC, chief nursing officer at Hebrew SeniorLife. On her nomination, Sjöström wrote, “Joe is, in short, an incredible nurse manager. He is a constant presence, moving quietly through the units, talking with team members and patients. And while he is quiet, he is truly a presence. In a testament to his support and leadership, his entire clinical team, through their own motivation and planning, hosted a surprise gathering to celebrate Joe and his leadership. Numerous staff spoke at this event on his behalf about how he holds them accountable while providing support — not an easy balance for a leader. I wish to recognize the amazing work that Joe has done to truly care for and support a team of caregivers so that they can, in turn, care for their patients. Thank you, Joe!”
     
15. Margaret Egbueze, RN, staff nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston, who has been recognized several times before, was nominated this year by Farah Destine, RN, nurse manager. According to Destine, “Margaret Egbueze is compassionate, reliable, and respectful. She shows professionalism and always shows up with a smile and a positive attitude on her shift.” 

“Our nurses come to work with compassion, empathy, and patience,” said Sarah Sjöström, MSN, RN, ACNP-BC, chief nursing officer at Hebrew SeniorLife. “Their dedication helps Hebrew SeniorLife make a positive impact on the lives of our residents, patients, and their families, and their inclusion in the Boston Globe’s ‘Salute to Nurses’ is terrific validation for people who do so much and make a big difference in the lives of their communities.”

Hebrew SeniorLife offers many opportunities for nurses to advance their careers through professional development, tuition assistance, and leadership opportunities, allowing all employees to build a meaningful career. As a clinical training site for students seeking RN, LPN, or CNA degrees, Hebrew SeniorLife trains nursing students in inpatient and outpatient settings from partner schools, including Academy Health Care, Regis College, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Massachusetts General Institute for Health Professionals, and Labouré College. Hebrew SeniorLife’s Certified Nursing Assistant training program is based at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston and offers a five-week, fully paid program that combines classroom time, lab skill training, and supervised time with patients.

Hebrew SeniorLife has been named a Top Place to Work by the Boston Globe five times and a Certified Age-Friendly Employer by the Age-Friendly Institute. If you are interested in joining our team for a fulfilling career, please visit our careers page.

About Hebrew SeniorLife
Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is a national senior services leader uniquely dedicated to rethinking, researching, and redefining the possibilities of aging. Hebrew SeniorLife cares for more than 4,500 seniors a day across campuses throughout Greater Boston. Locations include: Hebrew Rehabilitation Center-Boston and Hebrew Rehabilitation Center-NewBridge in Dedham; NewBridge on the Charles, Dedham; Orchard Cove, Canton; Simon C. Fireman Community, Randolph; Center Communities of Brookline, Brookline; Jack Satter House, Revere; and Leyland Community, Dorchester. Founded in 1903, Hebrew SeniorLife also conducts influential research into aging at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, which has a portfolio of more than $98 million, making it one of the largest gerontological research facilities in the U.S. in a clinical setting. It also trains more than 500 geriatric care providers each year. For more information about Hebrew SeniorLife, follow us on our blog, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn.