TJUH Intensive Care Nursery Nursing Team
May 2026
TJUH Intensive Care Nursery Nursing Team
Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Philadelphia
,
PA
United States
Christina Choyce, MSN, RNC-NIC, CBC, C-ELBW, CCTM, NE-BC, Nurse Manager
Jeffrey, RN
Crone, RN
Monsalve, RN
Polnitz, RN
Madden, RN
Brion, RN
Davis, RN
Stephens, RN
Brzozowski, RN
Emma, RN
Seraydarian, RN
Krusen, RN
Flood, RN
Keane-Norcross, RN
Hoffler, RN
Cain, RN
Scafidi, RN
Kobierowski, RN
McAndrew, RN
Przychowicz, RN
Foca, RN
Burke, RN
Clark, RN
Robbins, RN
Pankok, RN
Borum, RN
Holmes, RN
Budin, RN
Kemling, RN
Vile, RN
Troy, RN
Sacks, RN
Petaccio, RN
Sargent, RN
Rogus, RN
Santangelo, RN
Orbito, RN
Hotchkiss, RN
Revak, RN
O'Donnell, RN
Johnson, RN
Rojan, RN
Koppe, RN
Pafumi, RN
Rauscher, RN
Della Vecchia, RN
Fischer, RN
Mehaffey, RN
Leone, RN
Kundrat, RN
Dinan, RN
Murray, RN
Hacker, RN
Rasouli, RN
Medycki, RN
Cho, RN
Antosy, RN
Wicker, RN
Pruskowski, RN
Osborn, RN
Macias, K., RN
Thiede, RN
McNally, RN
Garcia, RN
Vo, RN
Bizzell, RN
Macias, N., RN
Diaz, RN
Butler, RN
Lin, RN
Miller, RN
Woodward, RN
Jeffrey, RN
Crone, RN
Monsalve, RN
Polnitz, RN
Madden, RN
Brion, RN
Davis, RN
Stephens, RN
Brzozowski, RN
Emma, RN
Seraydarian, RN
Krusen, RN
Flood, RN
Keane-Norcross, RN
Hoffler, RN
Cain, RN
Scafidi, RN
Kobierowski, RN
McAndrew, RN
Przychowicz, RN
Foca, RN
Burke, RN
Clark, RN
Robbins, RN
Pankok, RN
Borum, RN
Holmes, RN
Budin, RN
Kemling, RN
Vile, RN
Troy, RN
Sacks, RN
Petaccio, RN
Sargent, RN
Rogus, RN
Santangelo, RN
Orbito, RN
Hotchkiss, RN
Revak, RN
O'Donnell, RN
Johnson, RN
Rojan, RN
Koppe, RN
Pafumi, RN
Rauscher, RN
Della Vecchia, RN
Fischer, RN
Mehaffey, RN
Leone, RN
Kundrat, RN
Dinan, RN
Murray, RN
Hacker, RN
Rasouli, RN
Medycki, RN
Cho, RN
Antosy, RN
Wicker, RN
Pruskowski, RN
Osborn, RN
Macias, K., RN
Thiede, RN
McNally, RN
Garcia, RN
Vo, RN
Bizzell, RN
Macias, N., RN
Diaz, RN
Butler, RN
Lin, RN
Miller, RN
Woodward, RN
From the beginning, the odds were overwhelming, but the ICN team never gave up on the baby or her family.
A busy pre-holiday night shift unfolded in the Intensive Care Nursery. When an unexpected staffing change occurred, Jenn Borum, who attends high-risk, emergency, surgical, and premature deliveries, stepped into the charge role to maintain unit operations. She also maintained her role as the delivery room and transport nurse and continued to care for her assigned patient.
Over the next several hours, one patient required immediate stabilization and transfer to a higher level of care. Shortly after that transfer, the team admitted another patient who required specialized care. Lacey admitted both patients with support from Grace and Nancy Brown. Heather Clark and Kerri stepped in to care for Lacey’s previous assignment. The remaining nurses, Mary Beth, Kiana, and Jenn Budin, supported the rest of the unit and ensured the safety of the other infants.
***
My daughter was born earlier than expected after a pregnancy-related complication. Shortly after birth, she experienced a medical event. The best night of my life quickly became one of the worst. Because of the staff's quick response, she was immediately taken to the Intensive Care Nursery.
During her time in the ICN, she received specialized care and monitoring. It was the scariest time of my life. Throughout those days, while I experienced some of the hardest moments of my life, I met incredible staff who cared not only for my daughter but also for my husband and me. I never felt left out or uninformed about anything happening with my daughter or her care.
The team included me in rounds every morning and evening. On the few occasions I could not attend because of my own health, they called me on speaker phone so I could still participate. The nurses and respiratory therapists always explained what they were doing for my daughter. They never appeared frustrated when I asked questions. They provided education when I did not understand, and reassurance when they saw me repeatedly glancing at the monitor.
They gave me hugs, tissues, words of encouragement, and validation. They allowed me to cry when I needed to. They never made me feel like a burden, and in the moments I could not be with my daughter, they made sure I knew she was being cared for. They brought extra chairs so I could put my feet up and blankets when I was cold. They made sure I was eating, drinking, and caring for myself while they cared for my baby.
Although I wish I could remember every name, several staff members made a lasting impact on my family: Karen, who helped provide immediate care on the first night; Jessica, who answered questions and explained everything when it was still new and frightening; Megan, who reassured me during a difficult night and supported my breastfeeding journey; Caitlin, who returned to check on my daughter even when she was no longer assigned to her; Jaime, who provided discharge information and education; Grace, who helped us participate in care, bathe her, and hold her for the first time; Emily, who washed my pump parts without being asked; Robyn, who accompanied my daughter for testing and helped ease our nerves; Bill and Sue from respiratory, who explained what they were doing and helped us understand complex respiratory equipment; Jessica, the child life specialist, who brought books and helped create something special for a family milestone; nurses Sini, Karen, Maryann, and Leigha, who diligently supported feedings and helped me participate as much as possible; Dr. Desantis, Dr. Kennady, Dr. Knapp, NP Danielle, Dr. Aghai, Dr. Bruce, and NP Maria, who all played roles in caring for my daughter and keeping me involved; and Marie and Cecelia from PT and OT.
I am sure there are people I am forgetting, but there is no question about the kind of team the ICN is. They care for patients, families, and one another. The environment in the ICN is rare and special. While it can feel dark, scary, and uncertain, each member of the team helps provide hope and love. Jefferson is incredibly fortunate to have the ICN team. I am forever grateful for them.
***
I would like to nominate the ICN team for the DAISY Team Award in recognition of the extraordinary, compassionate care they consistently provide, especially to a recent baby with significant medical needs. From the beginning, the odds were overwhelming, but the ICN team never gave up on the baby or her family.
Over the course of an extended ICN stay, the team combined clinical skill with compassion, treating the baby not only as a patient but as a precious life worth fighting for. They explained complex medical decisions to the family with patience and kindness, provided comfort during difficult moments, and celebrated every small victory. They gave hope when it was hard for the family to find it.
Their dedication, attention to detail, and advocacy were instrumental in the baby’s progress. Because of their efforts, expertise, and heartfelt care, the baby was able to go home, which was a significant milestone. The ICN team embodies everything the DAISY Team Award represents, and I cannot think of a more deserving group.
***
The ICN recently had a baby graduate from their care after an extended stay. Nearly every nurse in the ICN cared for this baby and helped ensure a safe discharge, which was a true milestone. The nurses in the ICN are skilled, compassionate, and steadfast.
Over the next several hours, one patient required immediate stabilization and transfer to a higher level of care. Shortly after that transfer, the team admitted another patient who required specialized care. Lacey admitted both patients with support from Grace and Nancy Brown. Heather Clark and Kerri stepped in to care for Lacey’s previous assignment. The remaining nurses, Mary Beth, Kiana, and Jenn Budin, supported the rest of the unit and ensured the safety of the other infants.
***
My daughter was born earlier than expected after a pregnancy-related complication. Shortly after birth, she experienced a medical event. The best night of my life quickly became one of the worst. Because of the staff's quick response, she was immediately taken to the Intensive Care Nursery.
During her time in the ICN, she received specialized care and monitoring. It was the scariest time of my life. Throughout those days, while I experienced some of the hardest moments of my life, I met incredible staff who cared not only for my daughter but also for my husband and me. I never felt left out or uninformed about anything happening with my daughter or her care.
The team included me in rounds every morning and evening. On the few occasions I could not attend because of my own health, they called me on speaker phone so I could still participate. The nurses and respiratory therapists always explained what they were doing for my daughter. They never appeared frustrated when I asked questions. They provided education when I did not understand, and reassurance when they saw me repeatedly glancing at the monitor.
They gave me hugs, tissues, words of encouragement, and validation. They allowed me to cry when I needed to. They never made me feel like a burden, and in the moments I could not be with my daughter, they made sure I knew she was being cared for. They brought extra chairs so I could put my feet up and blankets when I was cold. They made sure I was eating, drinking, and caring for myself while they cared for my baby.
Although I wish I could remember every name, several staff members made a lasting impact on my family: Karen, who helped provide immediate care on the first night; Jessica, who answered questions and explained everything when it was still new and frightening; Megan, who reassured me during a difficult night and supported my breastfeeding journey; Caitlin, who returned to check on my daughter even when she was no longer assigned to her; Jaime, who provided discharge information and education; Grace, who helped us participate in care, bathe her, and hold her for the first time; Emily, who washed my pump parts without being asked; Robyn, who accompanied my daughter for testing and helped ease our nerves; Bill and Sue from respiratory, who explained what they were doing and helped us understand complex respiratory equipment; Jessica, the child life specialist, who brought books and helped create something special for a family milestone; nurses Sini, Karen, Maryann, and Leigha, who diligently supported feedings and helped me participate as much as possible; Dr. Desantis, Dr. Kennady, Dr. Knapp, NP Danielle, Dr. Aghai, Dr. Bruce, and NP Maria, who all played roles in caring for my daughter and keeping me involved; and Marie and Cecelia from PT and OT.
I am sure there are people I am forgetting, but there is no question about the kind of team the ICN is. They care for patients, families, and one another. The environment in the ICN is rare and special. While it can feel dark, scary, and uncertain, each member of the team helps provide hope and love. Jefferson is incredibly fortunate to have the ICN team. I am forever grateful for them.
***
I would like to nominate the ICN team for the DAISY Team Award in recognition of the extraordinary, compassionate care they consistently provide, especially to a recent baby with significant medical needs. From the beginning, the odds were overwhelming, but the ICN team never gave up on the baby or her family.
Over the course of an extended ICN stay, the team combined clinical skill with compassion, treating the baby not only as a patient but as a precious life worth fighting for. They explained complex medical decisions to the family with patience and kindness, provided comfort during difficult moments, and celebrated every small victory. They gave hope when it was hard for the family to find it.
Their dedication, attention to detail, and advocacy were instrumental in the baby’s progress. Because of their efforts, expertise, and heartfelt care, the baby was able to go home, which was a significant milestone. The ICN team embodies everything the DAISY Team Award represents, and I cannot think of a more deserving group.
***
The ICN recently had a baby graduate from their care after an extended stay. Nearly every nurse in the ICN cared for this baby and helped ensure a safe discharge, which was a true milestone. The nurses in the ICN are skilled, compassionate, and steadfast.