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Karen Huxtable
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(607) 547-4581
Diane L. Wells
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Cooperstown, NY - June 9, 2008 - Bassett Healthcare's Vice President of Nursing and Patient Care Services, Connie Jastremski, R.N. (photo above), was recently recognized for her work as an industry leader in the field of shock trauma nursing, and as having been one of the first faculty for the master's degree program in trauma nursing at the University of Maryland. Jastremski was honored at a ceremony in Baltimore by the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center at the University of Maryland Medical Center.
First as faculty, then as the clinical director of nursing for seven years, Jastremski had a front-row view of trauma injuries and cared for the most critically injured patients brought in as the result of automobile crashes, gunshots, burns, etc. The trauma nurse responds, despite minimal information, with decisiveness in assessing, intervening and stabilizing patients who have experienced severe injury. Neurotrauma nursing relates to care of patients with injuries of the brain or spine.
"Connie has made significant contributions to the development of the specialty of trauma nursing in the academic setting," said Karen Doyle, R.N., Director, Patient Care Services at R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center, Baltimore, Md. "She was original faculty in the Trauma Critical Care Program at the University of Maryland School of Nursing, a program that remains a leader in trauma nursing both nationally and internationally."
"As an absolute expert in neurotrauma nursing, Connie pioneered the specialty of neurotrauma nursing and the very first neurotrauma critical care unit," said Robbi Hartsock, M.S.N., R.N., P.C.N.P., Trauma Designation and Process Improvement Manager, R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center and president of the American Trauma Society. "Connie's contributions are many as a nursing pioneer, role model, mentor and educator to many."
Jastremski received bachelor's and master's degrees in nursing from the University of Maryland in Baltimore. She earned a master's in business administration from Syracuse University in 1997, and was granted a post-master's degree certificate as an adult nurse practitioner in 1998. She is a member of numerous professional organizations, including election to a Fellowship in the American College of Critical Care Medicine. Jastremski has published more than 100 articles and book chapters on neuroscience and critical care nursing, as well as management issues. She has lectured nationally and internationally in those subject areas for more than 25 years. Before joining Bassett Healthcare, Jastremski served as director of Critical Care and Emergency Nursing at University Hospital, SUNY Health Science Center in Syracuse and was vice president of nursing at Rome Memorial Hospital. Jastremski joined Bassett, a state designated Area Trauma Center, in 2003.
