Announcing Patricia Sadowski, BSN, RN, COHN-S/CM, Retired as the 2020 New York State Occupational Health Nurse of the Year!

Pat Sadowski BSN, RN, COHN-S/CM was selected for the 2020 NYS Occupational Nurse of the Year for her extraordinary commitment to Occupational Nursing and the NYSAOHN. Though Pat is “retired” from her occupational nursing roles she has worked tirelessly for the benefit of all occupational health nurses. Pat was committed to furthering her own knowledge as well as the advancement of others. She attended educational offerings frequently and was instrumental in planning and executing the NYSAOHN annual conferences for the past few years. She was a great support to local chapters across the state and frequently attended chapter meetings. Pat is an incredibly knowledgeable nurse, case manager and mentor.  She is our webmaster, our historian, our go to person for contacts inside and outside of the organization. She is always willing to help and guide her fellow nurses. It was a unanimous decision of the NYSAOHN Board of Directors to honor Pat with this award. No one deserves this award more than Pat and it is long overdue. 

Here is her story:

I graduated from Keuka College, Keuka Park, NY with a BSN in 1975.  After working in the hospital setting in Rochester, NY for 12 years, primarily in med-surg, the emergency room and recovery room, and with 2 children under 2 years of age, I decided to look for something with more traditional work hours.  Occupational health nursing fit that bill and I found that I loved the specialty.  So, I spent the last 25 plus years of my career working in various occupational health settings:  in a multi-nurse clinic at a car parts manufacturer, as an ergonomics rehabilitation coordinator for the Distribution division of a copier manufacturer, a utility company, a Clinical Nurse Specialist at a NYS Department of Health Occupational Health clinic at a large university and finally as a workers' compensation nurse case manager for an insurance company. 

Although I retired 5 years ago, I remain passionate about occupational health nursing and the promotion of occupational health nursing through NYSAOHN.  I've been a member of NYSAOHN for over 22 years and have been active at the local, state and regional chapter levels in several different capacities:  served on the Education Committee, as a Director on the Board, as President Elect and  President of the Greater Rochester NY AOHN local chapter; chaired a Northeast regional OHN conference and served as Secretary, President Elect,  President and webmaster of the New York State AOHN; and at the regional level I have served on the nominating committee, as a Director on the NEAOHN Board and as chair of the conference grant committee. 

I enjoy networking with nurses practicing in the field, keeping in touch with nurse friends I've known for many years and mentoring nurses to assume leadership roles in our organization.  Being active in our organization keeps me current on local, state and national issues affecting occupational health and healthcare in general.

I currently live in the Syracuse area with my husband, dog and cat.  My eldest son, my daughter-in-law and grandson live in Rochester.  My younger son lives in Syracuse.  I greatly enjoy spending time at my cottage in the Finger Lakes, boating, winery tours, taking walks, gardening, reading and babysitting my grandson.

Thank you so much for this honor!