Jenna Spinelli has taken care of several patients who are in the RWJB Value-Based programs. Most have chronic care needs, are at high risk for readmission, and have social issues or concerns, requiring more support than usual. She has been extremely competent in her assessment and documentation. She has gone above and beyond to engage patients and families in an effort to assist patients in achieving their highest level of wellness. She has been extremely compassionate in her efforts to assist patients by reaching out to assist with engaging VPS for those who cannot get to their physician follow-ups when she knows it is difficult for them to do this on their own.

Jenna is quick to pick up the phone and collaborate and advocate for her patients. She is an exemplar, and if she is not yet a preceptor, she should be so that others can model the type of nursing care that she provides to the patients who are most vulnerable. One of Jenna's patients was having difficulties with her phone. All the disciplines could not reach this patient because her voicemail was full. She did not know how to get her voicemails. Jenna took the time to help her, which resulted in the patient being able to set up with a social worker and VPS services.

I am nominating Jenna without reservation! One specific patient example most recently involved N, a frail elderly female patient who lives with her “older” sister, who helps with her care. She has CHF and a malignant lung mass. This patient doesn’t always “ask” for the help that is needed, and I am grateful that she has Jenna who goes above and beyond anticipating her needs. She was also recently discharged from the hospital and needed to resume services. Although Jenna was busy, she took time out of her day to reach out to me to discuss her readmission and the recommendations from the readmission team to be carried through (she strongly encourages an MSW evaluation; the patient needs someone to discuss her goals with, and evaluate for community resources, which she had previously declined, encourage the cardiac monitoring program as an extra layer of support, and offer VPS as an option). She is no longer able to get outside her home to see her physician, and although she was referred to Visiting Physicians Services, making the call was not easy for her. Jenna anticipated this and reached out to their practice to facilitate for her. She then called her manager and “requested” to be assigned this patient to do the resumption of care because she was heavily vested in helping her achieve her goals.