29 Nurses at Hebrew SeniorLife Nominated for Annual Salute to Nurses

Patients, families, colleagues, and supervisors nominated 29 nurses working at four Hebrew SeniorLife campuses and specialties across the Boston area for the 2024 Salute to Nurses special report published in the Boston Globe Magazine. The annual feature recognizes area nurses whose dedication and caring have saved lives, soothed fears, improved the quality of life, and eased the pain of countless patients and their families.

The nurses hail from Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston and NewBridge on the Charles in Dedham, including independent and assisted living, home health, and hospice care. Many outstanding nurses were recognized for their work, including:

1. Judy Alcindor, RN, a Brockton resident who works as a staff nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at NewBridge on the Charles, was nominated twice, including by Tricia Downing, the daughter of one of her patients. Dowing wrote, “In February 2022, my family had the difficult decision of moving my dad with Parkinson’s to a long-term facility at the young age of 72. Heartbroken and unsure of his future, we trusted the staff at NewBridge to help us make this transition. Judy went above and beyond, and we felt so lucky that it instantly put us at ease. On December 31, Dad had to be transported for an emergency surgery. Judy called us, checking in on him, and welcomed him back upon arrival, standing there waiting for him in his room with open arms. We are lucky that she absolutely loves my dad and goes above and beyond for him every day. Our biggest fear of a long-term facility is no longer a fear but a blessing. I appreciate all the staff there who engage with my dad and keep his dignity in such a hard fight.”
2. Larysa Chou, RN, a Wilmington resident and nurse manager at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston, was nominated by Alla Grinberg, the daughter of one of Larysa’s patients, for her “incredible work as a nurse for my mother. She completes each task with thoroughness and empathy, noting each patient's unique needs. She goes to extreme lengths to care for her patients. She manages everything very diligently and is always proactive when issues arise, solving each problem effectively and thoughtfully.”
3. Monique Denaud, RN, a hospice nurse and resident of West Roxbury, was nominated by Julie Bailey, RN, BSN, CHPN, hospice clinical manager at Hebrew SeniorLife. According to Bailey, “Monique is an exemplary hospice nurse with a long history of excellent patient care. She is able to professionally coordinate the care of her patients and work collaboratively with the interdisciplinary team to provide the best care possible. Monique has an incredibly calm, compassionate demeanor with which she is able to approach challenging situations, and this is very comforting and reassuring to her patients and families.”
4. Nadejda Iurii, RN, a charge nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston and a Waltham resident, was nominated by Larysa Chou, RN, nurse manager, because “Nadejda exemplifies compassion, clinical competency, excellent communication, trust in care, and advocacy for patients through her consistent and attentive approach. She consistently demonstrates empathy and understanding towards patients' needs and concerns. She takes the time to listen actively to patients, validating their feelings and providing emotional support. Whether holding a patient's hand during a difficult procedure or simply offering a comforting presence, she makes sure patients feel cared for and valued. Additionally, her attention to detail and critical thinking skills allow her to anticipate potential complications and address them proactively, minimizing risks to patients' well-being…and she effectively communicates with patients, their family members, and other members of the health care team, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment. By keeping everyone informed and involved in patients' care plans, she promotes transparency and trust, enhancing the overall quality of care. She always prioritizes patients' well-being above all else.”
5. Alexandr Kleynerman, RN, a staff nurse for more than 14 years at the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston and a Marlborough resident, received two nominations. Nadya Kopelman, nurse manager at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston, said, “One of the most remarkable qualities about Alex is his big heart. He truly invests in his patients' well-being and is genuinely concerned about their physical, emotional, and mental health. Alex takes the time to listen attentively, offering support and empathy, which goes a long way in alleviating patients' fears and anxieties. His genuine concern and dedication leave a lasting impact on both patients and their families.”
6. Janet L’Heureux, RN, a team leader and charge nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston, has been nominated multiple times since 2019 and lives in Roslindale. According to Jana Galvin, community life leader at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston, “Janet is very supportive to patients receiving end-of-life care and their families. She makes sure patients have what they need, whether it's a warmer blanket, calming music, or support for a medical need. She is a great model to her team of what a person-centered care champion looks like.”
7. Nataliya Maychuk, LPN, a Newton resident and a staff nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston, was also nominated by Alla Grinberg because of Nataliya’s “tremendous work as a nurse for my mother. Nataliya works with extreme diligence and care towards her patients and holds extra compassion towards each person. Though it is a very taxing and difficult job, she attends to each patient with individual knowledge, professionalism, and kindness. I have noticed on every occasion that she will take the extra step and go the extra mile for my mother and every patient. Nataliya approaches each patient's situation with intelligence and concern. She is always accurate and timely, not only in her treatment but in her communication with the residents' families and visitors. She is always the first to arrive and ready to work before her shift even begins. In the toughest times of COVID or flu, she is a constant and a source of reliability. I have the utmost regard for Nataliya. I thank and recognize her for her continuous compassion, talent, and support.”
8. Anna Qiu, RN, Belmont resident and staff nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center at NewBridge on the Charles, was nominated by Lozel Greenwood, RN, nurse manager, because “Anna demonstrates accountability and compassion and is a role model of patient-centered care every day she works. When she arrives at work, she cares about the well-being of her nursing team and ensures that everyone is well-informed about the patients as well as the plan for the day. She is very thorough in her nursing assessment of her patients, especially regarding skin and wound care. As a member of the wound committee, she continually strives to educate staff on how to best care for and prevent further breakdowns, which is appreciated. In regards to caring for patients with dementia, she provides empathy to the families as well as to the staff who are involved with care. Anna does not hesitate to speak up for the staff or advocate for what’s best for patients’ safety and quality of life. Anna delivers nursing care excellence every day she works.”
9. Delaney Roberson, RN, was a charge nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston when she was nominated by Galvin. An Allston resident, she now works in the Right Care, Right Place, Right Time initiative, an innovative program that integrates wellness teams into senior housing communities such as Center Communities of Brookline. According to Galvin, “Delaney is a kind, patient, and caring charge nurse. She provides her team with great leadership and always gives a helping hand. She is happy to help bring patients to a special activity or the hair salon, knowing this will improve their quality of life. Last summer, Delaney helped during the Pride parade and volunteered to be the nurse on this special trip to provide nursing care to the patients who wanted to attend.”
10. Klotilda Xhuti, RN, BSN, a staff nurse at Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston and a West Roxbury resident, was nominated by Tatyana Arbe, RN, a nurse manager and Needham resident who herself has been recognized by the Globe. Arbe recommended Xhuti for “her constant dedication to helping patients, outstanding compassion, excellent care, and advocacy for her patients. Klotilda is always ready to help not only patients but also her coworkers. She is a great team player who is highly skilled and consistently displays and promotes high ethical standards.”

In addition, the eight nurses who comprise the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center NewBridge Memory Support Team were nominated collectively by Lozel Greenwood, RN, nurse manager, for going “above and beyond when it comes to providing person-centered care to a challenging population. When it comes to exemplifying Hebrew SeniorLife’s cultural beliefs, this team truly fosters collaboration and focuses on succeeding together. These nurses come to work with a lot of compassion, empathy, and patience.” 

“This recognition by The Boston Globe celebrates our hard-working nurses, who consistently go above and beyond, providing the highest level of care and support for our patients and their families. Their dedication, compassion, and talent are instrumental in enabling Hebrew SeniorLife to lead the way in new standards of care for seniors and make a difference in so many lives,” said Tammy Retalic, DNP, MS, RN, chief nursing officer and vice president, patient care services, Hebrew Rehabilitation Center.

Hebrew SeniorLife offers many opportunities for nurses to advance their careers through professional development, tuition assistance, and leadership opportunities. It serves as a clinical training site for students seeking RN, LPN, or CNA degrees and trains nursing students in inpatient and outpatient settings from partner schools, including Academy Health Care, Regis College, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, MGH institute of Health Professionals, and Labouré College. Hebrew SeniorLife’s Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) training program is based at the Hebrew Rehabilitation Center in Boston and offers a five-week, fully paid program that combines classroom time, lab skill training, and supervised time with patients. The organization was recently designated as an Age-Friendly Health System by the Institute of Healthcare Improvement. If you are interested in joining our team for a fulfilling career, please visit our careers page.

Hebrew SeniorLife was named one of the Top Places to Work in Massachusetts for the fifth time by The Boston Globe in 2023.  

About Hebrew SeniorLife
Hebrew SeniorLife, an affiliate of Harvard Medical School, is a national senior services leader uniquely dedicated to rethinking, researching, and redefining the possibilities of aging. Hebrew SeniorLife cares for more than 4,500 seniors a day across six campuses throughout Greater Boston. Locations include: Hebrew Rehabilitation Center-Boston and Hebrew Rehabilitation Center-NewBridge in Dedham; NewBridge on the Charles, Dedham; Orchard Cove, Canton; Simon C. Fireman Community, Randolph; Center Communities of Brookline, Brookline; and Jack Satter House, Revere. Founded in 1903, Hebrew SeniorLife also conducts influential research into aging at the Hinda and Arthur Marcus Institute for Aging Research, which has a portfolio of more than $98 million, making it one of the largest gerontological research facilities in the U.S. in a clinical setting. It also trains more than 500 geriatric care providers each year. For more information about Hebrew SeniorLife, visit our website or follow us on our blog, Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn.