DERBY — Griffin Hospital recently held its 37th Annual Nurses Week Celebration to honor its more than 480 staff nurses. The Nursing Department staff members were treated to refreshments, gifts, raffles, and award presentations to nurses who provided exceptional care during the year.

Griffin Health Vice President Patient Care Services and CNO Kelly Egan MSN, RN said, “The past few years have tested our strength, but they’ve also revealed our power.” Egan continued, “Not just as individuals, but as a collective. It’s shown in the way we support each other through long shifts, in how we collaborate across departments to solve challenges, and in how we celebrate the victories — big or small — while lifting each other through the difficult moments. Through it all, it has been my honor to walk this journey with you.”

Nidia Montalvo, of Shelton, an LPN on the Griffin Hospital 2 North A Inpatient Unit, received the 2025 Outstanding Nurse of the Year Award.

A caregiver at Griffin since 2021, Montalvo exemplifies the Planetree patient-centered care philosophy through her consistently positive attitude, empathy, meticulous attention to detail and effortless collaboration with multidisciplinary care teams.

The nomination for Montalvo stated, “Nidia shows an understanding towards others. She is often sitting at her patient's bedside actively listening to their stories and providing support. She is known to make her patients feel valued and special. Nidia takes the time to identify her patient’s special needs and requests, and she always finds a way to make them a reality. This was evident recently when Nidia cooked a patient’s favorite food at the hospital to help the patient improve their well-being and continue their healing journey.”

In addition, Jude Aquila, MST, of New Haven, received The Donald Torok Scholarship Award; Jane Evering, RN, of Waterbury, received The Mary Schumacher Leadership Award; Crystal Wood, RN, of Southbury, received The Mary Nelligan Continuing Education Award; Mackenzie Hebert, RN, of Oxford, CT, received The Marie Santini Perioperative Nursing Excellence Award; and Stephanie Murphy, RN, of Shelton, and Sean Remson, RN, of Newtown, received The Shirley Yale Continuing Education Award.