Dorothy Kavinsky, a registered nurse in the triage section of Hialeah Hospital's emergency room, was recently recognized for 50 years of dedicated and exceptional service at the hospital.
Kavinsky, 77, has been greeting Hialeah patients with a smile since 1957.
Kavinsky initially applied for a position with the hospital on August 3, 1957 as a part-time staff nurse for $2.36 an hour. Her interview was held on the porch of the hospital, which at the time was a two-story building with one air conditioning unit.
Since, Kavinsky has watched Hialeah Hospital evolve into a multiple-story structure with state-of-the-art equipment and new medical programs, while offering the same quality care. "Dorothy is one of the most generous and compassionate people this hospital has seen," said Lourdes Camps, chief nursing officer for Hialeah Hospital. "As caregivers, it is a true privilege to work alongside her, and we appreciate and thank Dorothy for her many years of dedication to the hospital and to the field of nursing."
Though she retired in December 1995 from full-time nursing, Kavinsky continues to work for Hialeah Hospital on a part-time basis working three to four days a week in 12 hour rotations.
In 2001, the Tenet Healthcare Corporation awarded Kavinsky with its Chairman's Award, an accolade that recognizes employees for their commendable service to both patients and visitors. Kavinsky was one of four recipients company-wide that were awarded the prestigious honor that year.
Now, with 50 years of service to Hialeah Hospital, Kavinsky, or "Mamma K" as her coworkers call her, is once again being recognized for her unwavering dedication to healthcare and people.
"We are honored Dorothy has chosen to spend the last 50 years caring for the community as a member of the Hialeah Hospital team," said Ralph A. Aleman, chief executive officer for Hialeah Hospital. "On behalf of all our staff, I appreciate all she has done to make this hospital a special, caring place."
Originally from Natrona, Pa., Kavinsky's dreams of becoming a nurse were almost shattered when told she would not have the stamina needed for nursing, due to a damaged heart caused by severe childhood illness. But Kavinsky defied the odds, and in 1951 she and six other classmates graduated from the nursing program at Ohio Valley General Hospital in McKess, Pa.
"I became a nurse because it's one of the noblest careers," said Kavinsky. "You can be compassionate, caring and feel fulfilled in this profession."
Over the years, Kavinsky has also witnessed the evolution of Hialeah as a city. She moved to South Florida with her late husband Martin in 1954. During the 1960's, she saw the transformation of the neighborhood into a predominantly Hispanic community and made the decision to become a part of its budding culture.
She took it upon herself to learn Spanish, recognizing that it would benefit her career, and now speaks English, Polish and Spanish fluently. Kavinsky quickly became rooted in the Hialeah community, and has remained so ever since.
Kavinsky maintains an active role in the community, volunteering with organizations including Sisters of Charity, a group founded by Mother Teresa, People Acting for Communities Together (PACT) and New Life Family Center.
Hialeah Hospital, part of Tenet's Miami-Dade Health Network, is a 378-bed acute care hospital located at 651 East 25th Street in Hialeah. The hospital has been serving the medical and health care needs of central to north Miami-Dade County since 1951.
Hialeah Hospital offers a broad range of health care services, including 24-hour emergency care, cardiology, neurosurgery, obstetrics, a Level II Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, laboratory, a surgical weight loss program that has been designated a Center of Excellence by the American Society for Bariatric Surgery, a sleep disorders program, and a complement of imaging services.
Hialeah Hospital has earned a five-star rating and is ranked among the top five percent of hospitals in the nation for maternity care by HealthGrades, a health care quality ratings company. Hialeah Hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, the nation's oldest and largest hospital accreditation agency.