UHealth – University of Miami Health System has adopted Dr. Jean Watson’s Theory of Human Caring, which emphasizes the importance of humanistic values, empathy and internal personal relationships in the nurse-patient interaction.
As specially trained “Caritas nurses” and caregivers, we are reminded that caring for ourselves is just as critical as our role in nurturing the patient’s mind, body and spirit. The Latin term “caritas,” meaning love, represents the core values of Dr. Watson’s theory. When applied as guiding principles of our practice, we create a caring environment that promotes the healing, growth and well-being of our patients.
Dr. Watson’s Ten Caritas Processes include:
- Practicing loving kindness and equanimity for self and other.
- Being authentically present; enabling/sustaining/honoring deep belief system and subjective world of self/other.
- Cultivating one’s own spiritual practices; deepening self-awareness, going beyond “ego-self.”
- Developing and sustaining a helping-trusting, authentic caring relationship.
- Being present to, and supportive of, the expression of positive and negative feelings, as a connection with deeper spirit of self and the one being cared for.
- Creative use of self and all ways of knowing/being/doing as part of the caring process.
- Engaging in genuine teaching-learning experiences within context of caring relationship-attend to whole person and subjective meaning; attempt to stay within other’s frame of reference.
- Creating healing environment at all levels.
- Reverentially and respectfully assisting with basic needs; holding an intentional, caring consciousness of touching and working with the embodied spirit of another, honoring unity of being allowing for spirit-filled connection.
- Opening and attending to spiritual, mysterious, unknown existential dimensions of life-death-suffering “allowing for a miracle.”
Becoming a Caritas Coach
Our nurses can become a Caritas Coach through a rich, holistic and transformative learning environment that supports them in their professional growth while fostering a sense of community and connection.
The online, flexible training includes a four-week introductory course, as well as a six-month curriculum that goes beyond intellectual development to nurture the emotional and spiritual well-being of educators and learners. The program offers a faculty-guided coaching journey that can be personalized to fit each individual’s learning preferences in both one-on-one and group settings.
Caritas Coaches
Doreen Ashley, D.N.P., APRN, NE-BC
Executive Director, Nursing, Nursing Support Services
UHealth – University of Miami Health System
Daniela Barcan, B.S.N., RN
Registered Nurse 2, Ophthalmology Clinic
Palm Beach Gardens
University of Miami Medical Group
Thomas Benel, M.S.B.I., RN, LSSGB
Sr. Manager, Epic Applications
UHealth – University of Miami Health System
Karleen Bien-Aime, M.S.N., RN, OCN
Nurse Director, Infusion Services Administration
UHealth – University of Miami Health System
Hilda Brito, M.S.N., RN, NEA-BC, NPD-BC
Nurse Navigator 3
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Rebecca Budyszewick, M.S.N., PMHNP-BC
Registered Nurse 2, Outpatient Retina Clinic
Co-Chair, Caritas Council
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Pamela Dudkiewicz, D.N.P., APRN, FNP-BC, AOCNP
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse,
Hematology Oncology
University of Miami Medical Group
Nancy Farfan, B.S.N., RN
Nursing Supervisor, Site Disease Group Navigation Program
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Tamara Gort, M.S.N., APRN, AGPCNP-C, NE-C, AMB-C, ONN-CG, BA
Nurse Manager, Multi-Specialty Clinic and Hematology Oncology
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Randa Gozum, B.S.N., RN
Registered Nurse 2, 12 North
UHealth Tower
Mariella Guzmeli-Cobas, B.S.N., RN, AMB-BC
Director, Nursing, Multispecialty & Oncology Clinics
Sylvester at Lennar
Mona El-Shazly, M.S.N., AHN-BC, RN
Nurse Specialist, Center of Clinical Excellence
Executive Advisor, Caritas Council
UHealth – University of Miami Health System
Kimar Estes, M.S.N., APRN, FNP-BC, CEN
Executive Director, Nursing
UHealth – University of Miami Health System
Jeannette Garcia-Slanker, D.N.P., APRN, FNP, PMHNP, NEA-BC, CPON
Associate Chief Nursing Officer, Ambulatory Clinics,
Infusion Centers and Pediatric Services
UHealth – University of Miami Health System
Marguerita Aponte Inzinna, B.S.N., RN, AMB-BC,
Registered Nurse 2, OPD-1 & Spine Clinic
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Marcia Johnson, M.S.N.-Ed., PMC, AGNP-C, APRN, OCN
Director, Nursing, Facility Nursing Supervision
UHealth – University of Miami Health System
Viviane Leveille-Charles, B.S.N., RN, MPH, NE-BC
Director of Nursing, Outpatient Services
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Sylvia Mendes, B.S.N., RN, CPN, CPHON
Nurse Specialist, Pediatric Hematology
Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center
Stephanie Moss, D.N.P., APRN, APN-BC
Executive Director, Clinical Operations
UHealth Tower
Vanessa Motel, B.S.N., RN, CEN, PMD
Discharge Specialist, Emergency Department
UHealth Tower
Marcelo Moyano, D.N.P., APRN, FNP-BC
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Medical Oncology
University of Miami Medical Group
Snezana Radnovic, M.S.N., M.B.M., APRN, FNP- BC, CAPA, PMHNP-BC
Advanced Practice Registered Nurse, Anesthesia
Bascom Palmer Eye Institute
Laura Traini-Mongelli, D.N.P., APRN
Director, Advanced Practice Providers, Division of Hospital Medicine
University of Miami Medical Group
Elizabeth L. Vieito-Smith, D.N.P., RN
Chief Nursing Officer,
UHealth – University of Miami Health System
Associate Dean of Academic Health Centers Integration,
Affiliate Faculty, University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Science
Mirella Villasuso, M.S.N., APRN-BC, AMB-BC
Director, Nursing, Medical Specialty Care Center
UHealth Tower
Lee Weirich, M.S.N., RN, CNOR, NEA-BC
Director, Nursing, Perioperative Services
Sylvester at Lennar
Kathy Zanelli, B.S.N., RN, AMB-BC, LSSGB
Assistant Vice President, Nursing
UHealth Ambulatory Services for Lennar, Doral and SoLé Mia
University of Miami Medical Group