Moon Township, PA, (March 8, 2021) – Heritage Valley Health System is announcing their 2020 Cameos of Caring Awardees. The Award honors exceptional bedside nurses who work in acute care hospitals. Recipients must demonstrate a commitment to consistent, evidence-based clinical decision-making and excellence in nursing care, serve as an effective advocate for patients and their families, encourage and motivate others, be recognized as a role model for the profession of nursing, practice nursing involving direct patient care, be a licensed RN and be a direct employee of the hospital.

This year’s awardees are Darby Hupp an RN who works in the  Cardiopulmonary Unit at Heritage Valley Beaver, Rich Pongratz an RN in the Emergency Department at Heritage Valley Kennedy, and Sara Manfredi an RN who works in the  Progressive Care Unit at Heritage Valley Sewickley. The Cameo of Caring Program & Awards was established in 1999 in keeping with the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing’s commitment to the advancement and promotion of the nursing profession.

Darby Hupp, RN works on the Cardiopulmonary Unit at Heritage Valley Beaver hospital. Darby finds that the most satisfying part of her career is having a role in improving a person’s life. She has learned to take time at the beginning of a shift for each patient — to get to know them, assess their condition, pass medications and talk with them about their goals for the day and plan of care. Darby has been part of the COVID-19 Unit during the pandemic.  “As the pandemic unfolded and the idea of the nurse as a hero emerged, it initially made me very uncomfortable,” said Darby.  “Truly though, this year every nurse on the front lines deserves to be recognized for the sacrifices they made and the risks they took to their own health.”

Rich Pongratz, RN, is a nurse in the Emergency Department at Heritage Valley Kennedy hospital. Energetic, compassionate and dedicated, Rich proactively provides a high level of care to all his patients. He is a preceptor to nursing students and a nurse that his peers rely on for guidance and support. Rich is motivated to deliver high quality care and to treat all patients as he would want his family to be treated. “As a nurse you get to be hands-on, frontline, especially in the Emergency Department,” said Rich. “It’s rewarding to see people feeling better than when they first arrived.” 

Sara Manfredi, RN, is a nurse in the Progressive Care Unit at Heritage Valley Sewickley hospital. For nearly ten years, Sara has practiced the highest level of clinical judgement and critical thinking to ensure quality care is provided to patients. Her telemetry and stroke knowledge is invaluable to her department and peers. As a preceptor, Sara mentors graduate nurses and is a consistent source of knowledge, kindness, patience and encouragement. “The most satisfying part of being a nurse is watching a patient’s recovery and knowing that I aided in that,” said Sara. “It’s such a fulfilling feeling to know that you are helping someone get better.”