Bradford Regional Medical Center (BRMC) and Olean General Hospital (OGH), Kaleida Health facilities, awarded Leah Brinsky, RN, intensive care unit, OGH, with the 2024 fourth quarter Nightingale Award. Brinsky, a registered nurse (RN), has been with the organization since 2021.

“Leah exemplifies personalized, patient-centered care, consistently going above and beyond to meet the unique needs of each patient. She is known for her ‘patient-first’ attitude, taking time to build connections with patients and truly understands their needs. Her dedication is evident in her individualized attention to essential tasks, such as bed baths, timely medication delivery, pain management, and comforting beside care. Leah’s commitment to excellence extends to her interactions with families and hospital staff, where her clear communication fosters trust and collaboration. Her coworkers and patients both recognize Leah for her exceptional clinical skills, including detailed patient assessments and thorough patient and family education. Beyond her bedside presence, Leah continually works to improve processes, ensuring that patient care remains efficient and effective. Her leadership inspires those around her, as she serves as role model and a source of support for the team around her,” said her nomination. “Leah’s compassion, professionalism, commitment to patient centered care, and her dedication to the ICU team make her a deserving recipient of this honor.”

The Nightingale Award is a result of nominations from medical providers and other team members throughout BRMC and OGH. The prestigious award is presented quarterly to one nurse who provides exceptional patient care, excels in patient and family teaching, creates an environment of efficient open communication with patients, as well as serving as a role model for peers.

Leah lives in Bradford, PA, with her husband and two children. She began her career in healthcare working in the fire and EMS service within the Bradford community. After deciding to pursue nursing, Leah graduated from Jamestown Community College’s nursing program and was hired as a graduate nurse at OGH on the third floor.

Shortly after joining OGH, Leah transitioned to the intensive care unit (ICU), where she continues to grow and thrive as a critical care nurse. She credits the supportive and collaborative environment at OGH for making her time there truly special. Leah expressed the importance of working with great colleagues, “It’s the people you work with that truly matter. Good jobs are out there, but great coworkers are rare. I am incredibly thankful to work with some of the best in the business at OGH.”

BRMC and OGH named the highly coveted nursing award after Florence Nightingale, who laid the groundwork for the philosophy and underpinnings of modern-day nursing. Throughout Florence Nightingale’s career she displayed qualities such as integrity, nursing excellence, compassion, and service. Other nominees included Jesse Barnes, LPN; John Farris Jr., RN; Katie Georgia, RN; Creation Haines, RN; Sarah Johnson, RN; Lauren Keim, RN; Rachel Love, RN; Alyssa McMichael, RN; Brandy Nolder, RN; Christine Otto, LPN; Karolyn Pierce, RN; Taneasha Schaeper, RN; Emily Smith, RN; Katie Weaver, RN; and Kristyn Wilber, RN.