Episcopal Health Services Celebrates Nurse of Distinction Honorees

Far Rockaway, New York, May 31, 2024 — Episcopal Health Services (EHS) is proud to announce that registered nurses Dr. Gloria Otoo PhD, MS-NEd, RNC-OB, C-EFM, Jonas and James Moriah RN, MSN, CMSRN, CNEcl from St. John’s Episcopal Hospital were selected for recognition at the 1199SEIU (United Healthcare Workers East) Nurse of Distinction Awards on May 10.

The 1199SEIU (United Healthcare Workers East) Nurse of Distinction Awards honor peer-nominated registered nurses for their commitment to patient-centered care and outstanding achievements.

Dr. Otto was named winner in the Nurse of Distinction Advance Practice category.

“I feel proud to be a part of the St. John’s Episcopal Hospital family, specifically the maternal and child team, and I am glad I represented this great institution in the Advanced Practice registered nurse category, winning in New York State among all 1199 affiliated hospitals,” said Dr. Otto. “I dedicate this award to St. John’s Episcopal Hospital, and I am overwhelmingly appreciative of the nomination and recognition.”

Moriah, who was named second runner-up in the Nurse of Distinction Hospital category, said the honor was a “validation of his dedication and committed effort to safe, patient-centered care and healthcare delivery.”

“Receiving this award is not just a validation of my hard work but a testament to the collective effort and support I’ve received,” said Moriah. “I am deeply grateful for the guidance and teamwork of my colleagues, especially retired nurse Priscilla Yates, whose dedication has been instrumental in my success.”

In all, four EHS nurses were nominated by their peers for Nurse of Distinction Awards, including Lavish Arjoosingh and Zakiya Favard, who were nominated in the categories of Nurse of Distinction Preceptor and Nurse of Distinction Novice, respectively.

“We were so proud to have four registered nurses from Episcopal Health Services nominated by their peers to receive Nurse of Distinction recognition. This is a true testament to their commitment and dedication to providing high-quality care to our patients,” said Keisha-Ann Wisdom, Episcopal Health Services Senior Vice President of Patient Services and Chief Nursing Officer. “Being peer-nominated makes these awards even more significant, as it reflects the respect and admiration of their colleagues.”