Baranowski Receives Distinguished Nurse Award

Cooperstown, NY – "How do you thank someone for saving your life?" asks Joseph Happle. The Oneonta resident credits Bonnie Baranowski, a licensed practical nurse at Bassett’s Oneonta health center, with doing just that. "She will never pass you by," said Happle in his letter nominating Baranowski for the Tri-County Nurses Chapter of the New York State Nurses Association District #15 Distinguished Nurse Award.

The Distinguished Nurse Award recognizes someone in the nursing profession who has gone above and beyond in providing care to a patient and who exemplifies nursing excellence. In his letter discussing why he thought Baranowski should receive the award, Happle related a visit to the Oneonta health center in the winter of 2002. "I hadn’t been able to lay down to sleep and spent my nights in a recliner because of pain. I thought I cracked a rib. I was in the waiting room of Bassett’s health center in Oneonta when Bonnie came by. She stopped to talk to me, listened to what I had to say and before I knew it, I had an appointment for an ultrasound. She had no reason to stop and still does to this day when she sees me."

The ultrasound revealed a spot behind Happle’s spleen that turned out to be cancer. Happle underwent chemotherapy and his cancer is in remission.

"Bonnie went far and above in the health care profession and as a caring human being. Nominating her for this award is the only way I have of showing how appreciative I am." Those words and Happle’s experience resonated with the judges. Baranowski received the NYSNA District #15 Distinguished Nurse Award at the organization’s annual dinner September 15 in Oneonta.