Nantucket Cottage Hospital honored the recipients of the annual Partners in Excellence awards, which recognize superlative performance throughout the Partners HealthCare system, during a ceremony earlier this week at 56 Union.

This year’s individual award winners are Jason Graziadei and Nancy Pittman. The team award went to the Nantucket Cottage Hospital Food Services team, including Maria McGrath, Team Leader, Bob Buccino, Dean Chianese, Orlando Fowler, James Kyomitmaitee, Chris Lemont, Chai Sophonwattana and Wendy Turbini.

The awards were presented by Jeff Davis, Senior Vice President of Human Resources at Mass General, and NCH President and CEO Dr. Margot Hartmann, who offered the following comments about each of the recipients:

Jason Graziadei, Public Information Officer
“Jason was nominated in four categories, twice for Outstanding Community Service and once each in the Quality Treatment and Service category as well as Teamwork. In all four nominations, Jason is described as an integral part of our organization. His ability to represent NCH to the community and his sensitivity in how we message information both externally and internally is the best we have ever experienced. In the public eye Jason puts forth a professional demeanor never losing his easy-going manner and is highly regarded by the community having a presence at many town meetings representing NCH. Well-known for his positive attitude and gracious manner, Jason always provides an instant response to an inquiry as one of his peers had cited. For his exceptional dedication and contributions to Nantucket Cottage Hospital and the island community, it is indeed a pleasure for us to recognize Jason Graziadei.”

Nancy Pittman, Director of Contracting/Compliance; Privacy Officer
“Nancy was nominated in the category of Quality Treatment and Service. Nancy joined the NCH team in January of 2016. From the beginning Nancy has gone above and beyond her call of duties in her role as Director of Contracting and Compliance. Nancy not only has maintained but she has improved the standards set forth by NCH. She has developed and implemented a structured program designed to promote compliance with all relevant ethical and legal standards. Over the past year and a half Nancy has identified deficiencies in compliance and contracting and has worked with NCH administration and the Nantucket community to not only address these areas but to provide solutions and training where warranted.  Nancy is a true professional who possess the integrity and morals that the NCH community can be proud to say she is a member of.”

Food Services Team: Maria McGrath, Team Leader, Bob Buccino, Dean Chianese, Orlando Fowler, James Kyomitmaitee, Chris Lemont, Chai Sophonwattana and Wendy Turbini.
“The kitchen staff was nominated in the category of Quality Treatment and Service. The kitchen staff led by Maria McGrath has always been so accommodating not only to our patients and their families but the entire NCH Staff.  Whether it is an early morning call from a parent who has been up all night with a sick child on the med surg floor, or an infusion patient who has been here for several hours undergoing a treatment and has an appetite that has been altered by their medications, the kitchen staff is always there to assist. Patients have commented routinely on the exceptional quality of their food.  A lot of places would not consider the cultural aspects of a sick patient. I can recall a time where we had a patient from Jamaica on the floor who had no appetite for several weeks. Our chef at the time (after this being brought his attention) made a jerk shrimp jambalaya with fresh vegetables. Boy was this patient happy! The NCH kitchen staff are always very respectful and courteous to patients, families and staff.  We are so fortunate to have such a wonderful team in the kitchen.”