Shore Health System announced that Penny Aaron Pink, MS, RN, NEA-BC, CNOR, director of surgical and ambulatory services, was named the 2009 Director of the Year. Robert Hurley, manager of system facilities, was selected as Manager of the Year.

The 2009 honorees were chosen by their peers based on their commitment to delivering the Shore Health System mission of Exceptional Care, Every Day. The nominees were selected based on their demonstrated service, relationship building, initiative, systems thinking, vision, teamwork and overall commitment to the patients, families, physicians and staff of Shore Health System.

Penny Aaron Pink, who lives in Cambridge, began her nursing career in 1982 as a staff nurse on the medical-surgical unit at Dorchester General Hospital. She later transferred to the intensive care unit, where she worked for approximately ten years in both staff and management roles. Pink transferred to the operating room in 1991 and became the clinical nurse coordinator for surgical services at Dorchester General Hospital in 1993. Three years later, she was promoted to manager of the surgery department at Dorchester General Hospital. In 2002, she became manger of the Shore Health System surgical services department adding responsibility for The Memorial Hospital at Easton. She was promoted to director of surgical and ambulatory services for Shore Health System in 2004.

As a Salisbury University student, Pink earned a bachelor of science in nursing, a masters of science in nursing and completed the post-graduate family nurse practitioner certification program. She also obtained a post-graduate certificate in advance nursing administration from Villanova University. She is a certified by the Board of Perioperative Nursing and by the American Nurses Credentialing Center with advanced nurse executive status.

One of Pink’s nominators said, “Penny exemplifies the knowledge, dedication and vision [required] to take Shore Health into the future. Penny’s focus is always on patient care and the role that nursing plays in creating a safe quality environment for patients.”
Robert Hurley, who lives in East New Market, joined Dorchester General Hospital in 1982 as a plant engineer. Five years later, he was promoted to stationary engineer/compliance authority. In 2000, he became manager of environmental services and, two years later, took on responsibility for plant operations for Dorchester General Hospital. He became manager of facilities for all Shore Health System operations in 2007.

Before beginning his career with Shore Health System, Hurley was a 3rd Class Petty Officer working in propulsion engineering and damage control for the US Navy and an equipment operator for the City of Cambridge. He earned an associates degree in professional/technical studies from Chesapeake College. Hurley is licensed as a stationary engineer by the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. He has been  certified as a healthcare facility manager by the American Hospital Association since 2002.

One nominator recognized Hurley as “the perpetual teacher, making every contact with his employees an educational experience.” The nominator added, “Robert feels personally responsible for the safe environment of care for all patients. [He] displays a dedicated work ethic and unquestioned integrity.”