Two registered nurses and vascular access specialists at the Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) have recently received certification within their specialty area. As Vascular Access Board Certified professionals these nurses have demonstrated mastery of specialized knowledge by meeting criteria and passing an examination offered by the Vascular Access Certification Corporation, the credentialing arm of the Association for Vascular Access.
Vascular Access Specialists assess patients, provide vascular insertion services for inpatients and outpatients, and educate staff and patients throughout the organization about best practices in vascular access.
Robyn Foster, RN, VA-BC, is a 2002 graduate of Mohawk Valley Community College with her AAS in Nursing. She spent the first 10 years of her career at Faxton St. Luke’s Healthcare as an oncology nurse before transitioning into her current role within the Vascular Access Department where she has remained for the last four years.
John (Jack) Ward, RN, VA-BC, is a 1994 graduate of St. Elizabeth Hospital School of Nursing where he received his AAS degree. He spent many years employed at St. Elizabeth Medical Center in the Intensive Care Unit before transitioning into his current role within the Vascular Access Department in 2009.
Heidi Coluzza, MS, RN, BC, director of Nursing, states, “The pursuit of board certification in any nursing specialty is never an easy journey. These nurses have proven to themselves and their peers within the healthcare profession that they have the advanced knowledge and skills to provide superior care and service to our patients and the community.”