HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY! May 10, 2020 Marie Maursky, Oncology Nurse Navigator, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, and her daughter, Jessica Maursky, Radiation Oncology Tech, “One of the ways we have supported each other is just through conversation and being able to vent our fears and frustrations. I know that no matter what I’m feeling I have someone that I can talk to who won’t dismiss my concerns and will just listen and support me. We’re both big talkers so it’s good to have someone just as chatty when things get crazy!" – Jessica Maursky Maria Balahadia, Registered Nurse, Step down unit, , and her son, Raymond Balahadia, Registered Nurse, Med Surge, Palisades Medical Center

“Seeing her do it, made me know I could.” – Raymond Balahadia

In always being taught to, “Treat all patients like your own family,” Raymond saw Maria live-up to her teachings when giving last rights to patients, and working in the ICU. Desiree Adinolfi, Administrative Coordinator Nursing Supervisor, Bayshore Medical Center, and her daughter, Teresa Bongiorni, PCT, Bayshore Medical Center “My mom has always been my superhero, but with her being the supervisor through this and having to put plans into action, she truly is an amazing human being. I don't know how she does it. I remember hearing a car crash at the corner of our block and without hesitation my mom darted down the street to go and help and make sure that everyone was okay. That is the type of person she is, she will run towards danger fearlessly to be a helping hand.” – Teresa Bongiorni Diana Robles, PCT, Bayshore Medical Center, and her daughters, Kimberly Robles, PCT, Bayshore Medical Center, and Jasmine Robles, Unit Secretary, Bayshore Medical Center “When I was younger, my mom was driving home and we saw a woman who was unfortunately hit by a car as she was walking. It was cold, and my mother was pregnant, and she made sure we were safe with her friend as she took off to help the woman that was hit. I remember seeing her take her jacket off to keep the woman warm as she got help for her. I was very young when this happened, but this impacted me a lot, teaching me to be selfless and helpful when I can, just like my mother has been.” – Kimberly Robles

“She made the brave decision to start a career in the healthcare field after being a stay at home mom. She was always a hero to us at home, she just wears a different cape now!” – Jasmine Robles Amy Geisendaffer, RN, BSN, CCU, Southern and her daughter, Emily Geisendaffer. PCT, Emergency Department, Southern Ocean Medical Center

“I admire how much my mom cares about her patients. She always makes her patients first priority and will do anything to save their life. She goes out of her way on her day off to buy hair ties to do her patients hair if she has down time. My mom is also known for singing to her patients to calm them down or to put a smile on their face. She is truly an advocate for her patients and will always do what is right for them and their families.” – Emily Geisendaffer Deborah (Deb) Petrucelli, Manager, Office of Patient Experience, Raritan Bay Medical Center and her son, James Petrucelli, Carrier Clinic

“As the real life story was evolving in our personal family journey, Jimmy began to find his purpose of helping others and began exploring a way into the healthcare arena as he reflected on attending nursing school. He wanted to make a difference on the frontlines and impact the human connection and could see and feel in my reflections and stories that HMH was the place to get started.” – Deb Petrucelli Marianne Karl, Secretary III, Access Svcs, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, her daughter, Dana Moriarty, Lab, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, and her grandson Jack

“She helped me find the career of Medical Laboratory Science. It was her suggestion, she knew it would be my opportunity to help others with lots of room for personal growth. She is extremely hard working and dedicated. She is always willing to give all of herself to help others.” – Dana Moriarty Patricia Lucadano, Exec. Secretary, Medical Administration, PAD, Raritan Bay Medical Center, and her daughter, Teresa Arvin, MSN, RN, CPHQ, CPPS Clinical Outcomes Coordinator, PAD, Raritan Bay Medical Center “Teresa and I have shared emotional support for one another and meals during this COVID time. I am very proud of her for the work she did with the patients while covering in the nursing units and coping with two young children at home from school as well as continuing her own education at Monmouth University.” – Patricia Lucadano Diane S. LaBarbera, RN, Inpatient OB Certification, PCE Certification, Labor & Delivery, Riverview Medical Center, her daughters, Kristina Poli, RN, BSN, ONC, 5West, Total Joint & Spine Center, Riverview Medical Center, and Catherine Mary LaBarbera, RN, Clinical Ladder II, Labor & Delivery, Riverview Medical Center, and her son, Jonathan LaBarbera, RN, helping during COVID pandemic by floating between Intensive Care Unit and Critical Care Unit, JFK Medical Center

“I admire many of her qualities she possesses in the workplace. She has an amazing ability to listen and her patients are consistently thankful for the care she gives. She is quick on her feet and is highly reliable in stressful situations. She is honest, well-educated, an amazing teacher, and gives the best advice to those in need.” – Kristina Poli

“My mother and I support each other tremendously. We confide in one another with all the raw feelings and emotions that surface during these trying times. We acknowledge the ‘realness’ of our feelings. We give each other space when needed but always know we’re never alone. Our open communication and listening to one another has probably been the most helpful. Although COVID-19 has affected my Mother and me in different ways, we are a constant source of strength, hope and light in any of our darkest days. Living together during this pandemic has created a special bond within our relationship.” – Catherine Mary LaBarbera Kathy Rodriguez, Interventional Radiology Tech, Hackensack University Medical Center and her daughters Meghan Rodriguez, Radiology Administrative Assistant, Hackensack University Medical Center, and Erin Rodriguez, Unit Coordinator with Surgical ICU, Hackensack University Medical Center “My siblings and I were born at Hackensack, our mom used to bring us to work with her when we were in grade school and as teens, we volunteered here – this our home.” – Meghan Rodriguez Debra Mahoney MSN, R.N., NEA-C, Raritan Bay Medical Center, and her daughter, Danielle VanLeer, Assistant Nurse Manager, PA-MED DAY STAY, Raritan Bay Medical Center “I admire my mother as she is an extremely hard working individual, she does not give up easily and she stands up for what she believes in. She continually displays compassion and commitment towards the patients that Hackensack Meridian Health (RBMC) cares for on a daily basis. My mother thoroughly enjoys working with her team members and holds them all in high regard.” – Danielle VanLeer Sue Callaghan, PT, Clinical Specialist OPPT, JFK Johnson Rehabilitation Institute and her daughter, Tara Callaghan, Pharmacy Supervisor, Riverview Medical Center “I have always had an appreciation for my mother and what she does through her work, but how she was redeployed from an outpatient unit to care for those who needs has made me value and appreciate her beyond any normal value or appreciation. My relationship is stronger now because of COVID. I lean on her when there is a rough day or for advice. I realize how much I miss her and values the time we spend together now.” – Tara Callaghan Jean Rant, Physical Therapist, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, and her daughter, Jessica Rant, RDN, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist, Jersey Shore University Medical Center

“My mother and I have always been hard working and we both see this as something that is bigger than the two of us. We will do our part where we can as healthcare providers because we are here to help people, that's what we do. Both of us confine in each other about the new struggles that arise within our scope and the emotional toll that we face. Some days more challenging than others but you keep moving forward and take each day at a time.” – Jessica Rant Debbie Reilly, Coordinator/Medical Staff Office and CME, Raritan Bay Medical Center, and her son Shawn Reilly, RN, Emergency Department Nurse, Raritan Bay Medical Center

“COVID-19 hasn't changed my perception of my mother because I’ve always known she was one tough woman. Not one complaint from my mom about having to come to work during all of this. My mom became a single mother of two crazy boys when I was 7 years old. She has done everything possible to give the two of us a great life and to experience as much as we could. She has always been there for the two of us and continues to make sure her boys are happy even well into our 30s. There are no words or actions that I can do/say that show how much I appreciate my mom.” – Shawn Reilly