Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services Secretary Ted Dallas and Pennsylvania Health Access Network Director Antoinette Kraus named the 2015 Patient Safety Award winners
LANCASTER, PA – On Wednesday, September 23, nurses from across the state gathered atthe Nurse Alliance of SEIU Pennsylvania’s annual fall education forum to improve their skills, develop new ones and discuss the future of the healthcare in Pennsylvania. They also took the opportunity to recognize this year’s Thomas J. Zuber Patient Safety Award winners – Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services Secretary Ted Dallas and Pennsylvania Health Access Network Director Antoinette Kraus.
Dallas and Kraus were recognized for their tireless work in bringing real Medicaid expansion to Pennsylvania.
“Both Secretary Dallas and Ms. Kraus have been incredibly vocal and active in their support of expanding Medicaid in Pennsylvania,” said Nurse Alliance Director Deborah Bonn, RN. “Without their hard work and dedication, more than 400,000 Pennsylvanians would be without access to quality, affordable healthcare today.”
Healthcare professionals were on hand in Lancaster to praise both Dallas and Kraus for the work.
“For many patients in my hospital, Medicaid expansion means more options for care and an end to the fear that a serious illness will mean thousands of dollars in medical bills and years of debt,” said Mimi Tambellini, a registered nurse at Heritage Valley Beaver Hospital.
“Not only did Secretary Dallas guide our transition from former Gov. Corbett’s shortsighted ‘Healthy PA’ plan to real Medicaid expansion, he continues to drive innovation and work to improve the delivery of care.”
“As Director of the Pennsylvania Health Access Network, Ms. Kraus has been a true leader in championing the Affordable Care Act and making Medicaid expansion a reality for Pennsylvania,” said Karen Goroncy, a home care attendant from Washington, PA.
Home care workers are some of the lowest paid healthcare professionals and many themselves rely on Medicaid for access to healthcare.
Nurses and other healthcare professionals were early supporters of Medicaid expansion and fought diligently against a recalcitrant Corbett Administration that for years refused to expand the program under the Affordable Care Act. Medicaid expansion means more access to healthcare, creating better outcomes for patients and more funding for local hospitals.
The Thomas J. Zuber Patient Safety Award is named for Tom Zuber, RN, a member of the Nurse Alliance and advocate for the nursing profession and patients everywhere. Zuber was instrumental in helping sign ACT 102, legislation banning mandatory overtime in healthcare facilities, into law in 2008. Unfortunately, Tom passed from heart issues complicated by the long hours and stress of his work as a nurse before he could see the fruits of his labor.