Shelton Resident Honored With Nightingale Nursing Award

NEW HAVEN – Shelton resident and Clinical Supervisor at the Visiting Nurse Association of South Central Connecticut (VNA/SCC) Linda Gorel, RN, BSN was recently honored with the Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing. Gorel was one of 70 Greater New Haven area nurses acknowledged at the 11^th annual Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing, which was held at the Toyota Presents Oakdale Theatre. Edward M. Kennedy, Jr. served as the event’s Honorary Chairman and Keynote Speaker.

Twenty-four years ago, Gorel began her career at the VNA/SCC as a primary care nurse. Prior to serving as Clinical Supervisor, she held various management positions including Continuous Quality Improvement Special Projects Manager and Referral Manager. As one of eight Clinical Supervisors, Gorel manages 10 nurses and 150 patients.

“It was an honor for me to chosen as a Nightingale recipient as there are many qualified nurses at our agency,” Gorel said. “I was truly shocked and very appreciative.”

Carla Giugno, Vice President, Clinical Services and Administrator of the VNA/SCC, said “Linda is more than deserving of the Nightingale honor. During her tenure at our agency, she has demonstrated both outstanding clinical and management skills, always leading by example.”

In addition to her full time position with the VNA/SCC, Gorel is the volunteer coordinator for Shelton’s parish nursing program where she works 8-10 hours per week and oversees 12 volunteers.

Gorel resides in Shelton with her husband and two children.

About the Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing

The Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing program was originally developed in 2001 by the Visiting Nurse Association of South Central Connecticut to be a collaborative effort to celebrate outstanding nurses and elevate the nursing profession. The goal of the Nightingale Awards are to encourage retention, inspire future nurses, focus public attention on and recognize the breadth and scope of nursing practice at the local level. In 2003, the Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing grew to include programs in Greater Fairfield, Greater Hartford, and Eastern Conn. as well as the original program in New Haven.

The Nightingale Awards for Excellence in Nursing are non-competitive and inclusive of all health care settings - hospitals, home health care, health centers, schools, health departments, long-term care facilities, nursing schools, agencies, and medical practices. Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses, Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners who demonstrate excellence may be nominated for recognition by their employers if they are involved in clinical practice, leadership, scholarship, and/or education.