On April 28, 2003, ADVANCE for Nurses Magazine deemed the Emergency Department Nursing Team at Merrimack Valley Hospital the Best in New England for 2003. Approximately 40 registered nurses, secretaries, certified nursing assistants, and paramedics make up the ER nursing team at Merrimack Valley Hospital.

"Your nurses brought out the best in themselves, each other and their patients," said Lyn A. E. McCafferty, Editor of ADVANCE for Nurses Magazine. Seventy-five nursing teams from New England entered ADVANCE's Best Nursing Team 2003 Contest.

The winning entry for the Best Nursing Team Contest was submitted by Carlos D. Flores, APRN, BC, CEN, an Emergency Department nurse at Merrimack Valley Hospital. An excerpt from his winning nomination states, "We have been referred to by some as the 'phoenix rising from the ashes.' The city has been blessed with a group of nurses who had the tenacity and dedication to stay the course and support their hospital. Our team stayed constant through a major transition and a zero percent turn over rate for the first year of the hospital's existence. This is in a large way due to the teamwork, support of the staff and hospital administration. We are new, strong, and committed to being the best hospital in the Merrimack Valley area."

"The nurses of MVH proved to the healthcare community that they were the comeback kids. I am proud to work with them and truly believe they are the best both as an ED team and each of them individually." said Diane Lovallo, Chief Nursing Officer.

"It took a lot of heart and dedication to stay the course during a very challenging transition period," said Audrey Mears, MVH Director of Emergency Services. "As a Haverhill resident myself, I couldn't be prouder of what our team has been able to accomplish."

ADVANCE for Nurses will honor the MVH Emergency Department nursing team by featuring them on the front cover of their April 28th issue, hosting a stylish dinner celebration at the Pond View Restaurant in Kingston, NH, and presenting a commemorative plaque, personalized certificates, and more.

ADVANCE for Nurses, a regional publication serving 105,000 nurses in New England, provides a variety of easy-to-read clinical and professional articles on topics that are most important to nurses today and that promote the nursing profession.

"This is a great honor. Congratulations to our nursing team, and the physicians, physicians assistants and paramedics, who make the Emergency Department at Merrimack Valley Hospital one of the best in the New England!" said Lester Schindel," CEO.

Merrimack Valley Hospital

Merrimack Valley Hospital, maintains 108 acute care beds and 21 transitional care beds. All are private rooms. As a comprehensive acute care hospital, it provides a full range of services to ensure families in the Merrimack Valley and Southern New Hampshire receive the care they need. Merrimack Valley Hospital is an affiliate of Essent Healthcare, Inc. More information can be found at: www.merrimackvalleyhospital.com.