WINTER 2019

Each year, the Healthcare Foundation awards millions of dollars in grants to fund essential medical equipment, renovations, education and training, and program upgrades.

In 2018, the Healthcare Foundation awarded grants to cover the cost of continuing education and certification programs for various Sarasota Memorial employees. Completing these programs has enabled our professionals to remain at the top of their field and to provide the highest possible level of service to the patients in their care.

Meet three of the grant recipients:

Tatyana Boytsan, RN, BSN, OCN, SMH Oncology Floor, received a grant to attend a two-day review course to prepare her for the national Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) exam. She took the exam in November of 2018 and passed. The professional growth opportunity this course provided will better equip her for her current role, as well as prepare her to work in the new Cancer Institute.

Tatyana says, “My grant not only benefitted my own professional growth, it benefitted my patients, because I can now provide the most up-to-date, evidence-based practice.”

Tatyana Boytan, RN

Julie Stolte, RN

Julie Stolte, RN, SMH NICU, was one of 14 nurses who benefitted from a $4,900 grant to fund Lactation Management Education and Certification. As a designated Baby-Friendly Hospital, Sarasota Memorial is committed to ensuring that all new mothers are fully supported as they learn how to breastfeed their babies. The two-day course covered every aspect of newborn feeding, including breastfeeding techniques and pumping.

Julie says, “Now I’m able to teach the new moms how to start breastfeeding and help with lactation. For the NICU moms to provide milk to their babies is really empowering for them. It is an important role in their babies’ care.”

Cassandra Santiago, OT, Sarasota Memorial Health Care Center at Clark Road, Outpatient Rehabilitation, Neurological Team, received a grant to complete LSVT BIG Training and Certification, a rehabilitation program that provides services to patients with Parkinson’s disease. In the four-week program, occupational therapists help patients work on balance, movement, coordination and techniques to slow the progression of the disease and enhance their quality of life.

Cassandra says, “This training program allows me to provide more comprehensive and targeted rehabilitation to my Parkinson’s patients. It’s one of very few evidence-based programs available.”

Cassandra Santiago, OT