September 28, 2015
To Whom It May Concern:
I am delighted to write this letter in support of Janet Alaia who is applying to study in the Post-Baccalaureate DNP Nurse Anesthesia program at your prestigious institution. Ms. Alaia is currently a critical care nurse at Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center. I have worked closely with her for nearly three years in my capacity as a house staff physician.
Let me begin my recommendation by describing our hospital so you can better appreciate the experience she has acquired at our institution. Woodhull Medical and Mental Health Center is a 436-bed community hospital located in Brooklyn, NY. Our hospital is part of the New York Health and Hospitals Corporation (HHC), which is the largest municipal healthcare system in the United States. The population we serve is largely uninsured and often presents to us with critical illness. We have a 12-bed ICU and a 12-bed progressive care step down unit. Our critical care nurses are exposed to several invasive procedures, endotracheal intubation, central venous catheters, titration of multiple vasoactive intravenous medications, and arterial lines. We also collaborate with Live ON the New York organ donation service when patients or their families elect for end of life organ donation. This involves complex management with very strict parameters to sustain the body as a bridge to organ harvesting. Ms. Alaia and I have worked together to manage these complexities and have received very positive feedback from the donation agency. Janet has also had exposure to quality improvement projects conducted in the ICU that have focused on elevating patient safety and decreasing iatrogenic infections.
In the relatively short time I have worked with Ms. Alaia she has impressed me with her enthusiasm. She has reached mastery as a critical care bedside nurse and uses excellent clinical judgment in patient care. She not only accepts, but also, seeks out constructive criticism to expand her knowledge base.
Ms. Alaia is extremely likeable. She has a good sense of humor, is always thoughtful, and is very compassionate. I am always happy to see her in the ICU when I am working there. She is unwaveringly professional and has my complete trust and respect. I look forward to seeing her continue to grow further in her career as a nurse anesthetist. I wish her luck and recommend her without reservation. I am certain of her potential for excellence as a nurse anesthetist.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to call me.
Best Regards,
Dr. Tanya Helm
