2020 Founders Award Winner

Andreas H Meier, Professor and Chief, Division of Pediatric Surgery and Surgeon-in-Chief, Golisano Children's Hospital, SUNY Upstate Medical University

Maryellen’s leadership is widely recognized within our institution. Currently she serves as the chair of the pediatric surgery shared governance committee.

She is a valued educator for nursing and medical students as well as surgical residents, who often are not familiar with the idiosyncrasies of a pediatric surgical practice. She is a major resource for junior pediatric nurses and she has overseen the education of 4 pediatric nurses during her time with us. She serves as a wonderful resource for float nurses when they need to be oriented to the pediatric environment.

Maryellen has received multiple awards within our institution. In 1995 she was named “Pediatric Nurse of Distinction”. In 2009 she received the “Pediatric Nursing Excellence” award. Most recently, she was honored with a Pediatric Patient Experience Award in 2019, celebrating her role as an outstanding communicator.

It is without hyperbole for me to state that she represents the glue of our Division. Her quiet, yet efficient and well-organized approach to daily business has made our outpatient clinic environment the envy of the Children’s Hospital. Her kindness, supportive attitude towards our patients and families have repeatedly resulted in some of the highest Press-Ganey scores within the whole medical center. She is thoughtful, knowledgeable and able to speak her mind without crossing other people. She is just an all-around treasure and I am so thankful to have the opportunity to work with her on an almost daily basis.