Gilchrist Nurses Among Baltimore’s Best
Gilchrist nurses Karen Bartosz and Renee Ennis were named Top Nurses in Baltimore magazine’s 2018 “Excellence in Nursing” issue. A panel of experienced nurse advisors sifted through hundreds of nominations to select the top 50 nurses in 21 specialties in the Baltimore Metro area. Karen and Renee were selected as winners in the Hospice/Home Health/Palliative Care category.
Karen Bartosz—one of Gilchrist’s Howard County home care nurses— exhibits honesty, respect, wisdom and sensitivity, says hospice clinical manager Deborah Duhnke. “She has the natural ability to convey compassion to those she cares for.” Karen finds it especially meaningful to be able to care for not just the patients, but their families, and says being a hospice nurse is “the best job I’ve ever had.”
Prior to joining Gilchrist, Karen worked for 26 years as an intensive care nurse. Karen earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree and a Master of Science in Nursing degree from the University of Maryland. She achieved certification in hospice and palliative care nursing in 2017.
“Karen, in her daily work, has a warm-hearted smile, treats her colleagues with respect and does not hesitate to sing the praises of her co-workers. Karen always has a story to share with team members – speaking of a patient and family, telling how the family has gone from anxious and overwhelmed to calm and accepting, or sharing a story that exhibits human nature at its best or worst, often complimented by Karen’s soft and hilarious sense of humor. Karen often, without knowing, reminds us all that the human spirit should not be underestimated.”
-Deborah L. Duhnke, RN, BSN, CHPN, Hospice Clinical Manager, Gilchrist Howard County
Renee Ennis, an inpatient nurse at Gilchrist Center Baltimore, brings patience, understanding and a calming spirit to her work. “Renee genuinely cares about each one of her patients and colleagues as if they were family,” says Katherine Packett, hospice clinical manager. Renee enjoys helping each patient achieve a positive end-of-life experience. She says, “I am their nurse, but I am also someone who will laugh, cry, pray, sing and dance with them.”
Renee joined Gilchrist in 2017 as a hospice nurse, working bedside with patients at Gilchrist Center Baltimore. Prior to coming to Gilchrist, she was a hospice nurse case manager. Her nursing experience spans public health, substance abuse, hemodialysis and internal medicine. Renee earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Winston Salem State University.
“Renee is one of a kind, both professionally and personally. She genuinely cares about each one of her patients and colleagues as if they were family. Her vibrant laugh and positivity is contagious. In the ever-changing, chaotic, high speed profession that nursing can be, these qualities that she possesses are unparalleled by anyone I’ve ever met. By far she is one of Baltimore’s best!”
-Katherine Packett, RN, BSN, CCRN, Hospice Clinical Manager, Gilchrist Center Baltimore
Congratulations to both of these exceptional nurses for this honor. The nurses will be featured in Baltimore magazine’s May issue, coinciding with National Nurses Week.
To learn more about these “Top Nurses,” visit https://gilchristcares.org/about/careers/excellence-nursing/.