Office of Patient Safety, Accreditation & Regulatory Services
Tribute to our Nurse Mock Surveyors

At the Corporate level, Debra Gomes participates with the Office of Patient Safety, Accreditation and Regulatory Services in the mock JCAHO survey process. Mock surveyors volunteer their time and services and receive regular training to enable them to help their sister facilities assess readiness for a JCAHO survey. We are extremely grateful to Debra for her unfailing support of our JCAHO readiness activities and for their commitment to quality and patient safety.

We recognize Debra Gomes, RN for her service as a mock surveyor of general care and psychiatric services in the HHC acute care facilities. Debra has been a dedicated member of the mock survey team for approximately 4 years. During a mock survey of Lincoln Medical Center, Debra expressed interest in learning more about the JCAHO standards and requirements. Her knowledge, experience, desire to learn and commitment to performance improvement and patient safety made her a perfect candidate. Debra’s clinical experience and expertise combined with her knowledge of the JCAHO standards makes her an invaluable resource to staff at the facilities. In the mock survey process, Debra continually seeks opportunities to teach, and learn best practices from her colleagues. Despite her busy schedule as Deputy Director for Nursing at Lincoln Medical Center, Debra regularly commits to participating in our process and has rarely turned us down when called upon. She has participated in more mock surveys in 2004 and 2005 than any other Nurse on our mock survey team. It is an honor to have Debra on our team.

Ms. Gomes’ nursing journey at Lincoln Medical Center began immediately after completing her A.A.S. Degree in 1972. She has diversified experience in various nursing specialty areas – Medicine and Surgery, OR, and Psychiatry.

It was at Lincoln Ms. Gomes realized her love for the Nursing Profession. She made a commitment to care for the Bronx community, with hopes of “making a difference.” She was determined to pursue higher education, juggling personal, professional and academic activities with flying colors.

In 1979, she graduated from St. Joseph’s College with a BS degree in Community Science – with honors (magna cum laude). She completed a Master’s in Health Administration in 1992. Her upward career mobility brought a wealth of knowledge and experience in her many roles which further strengthened her attributes and talents. From Head Nurse to Supervisor – on to Associated Director to currently Deputy Director of Nursing.

As an administrator, she participates in several hospital-wide committees such as Pharmacy and Therapeutics, Drug Utilization and Evaluation, and Infection Control. For the Department of Nursing, Ms. Gomes is the chairperson of the Nursing Performance Improvement and Research committees and acts as a consultant for the department’s Policy and Procedure committee.

Among her list of achievements, she was named Nurse of the Year in 1993 and HHC Administrator of the Year in 2001. She was recently selected as a fellow for the 2005 National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems. This program focuses on strengthening the national voice of public hospitals by preparing clinicians to take leadership roles in federal advocacy activities.

Twenty one years in military nursing reflects her patriotic heart. A Lieutenant Colonel, Ms. Gomes serves as an Assistant Chief Nurse in the 344th Combat Support Hospital at Fort Totten, NY. Her par excellence performance is evident in the numerous decorations and badges she has received. They include an Army Achievement Award and an Armed Forces Reserve Medal (National Defense Service).

Ms. Gomes believes that a healthy work environment is the key to staff retention. She also believes than an employee has to be the “right fit” for the job and the unit.

Her consultative role extends beyond the boundaries of the facility. At the corporate level, she serves as a mock surveyor, evaluating the readiness for a JCAHO survey at a sister facility. For the past two years, she has been assisting other facilities with improving their Department of Nursing processes. Ms. Gomes is a change agent, initiating new guidelines and practices – all with the interest of improving patient and staff safety.

She has an unending quest for knowledge and continues to seek out opportunities to help others “make a difference.” Ms. Gomes is a mentor, resource, and advisor. She has shown that nursing is not just a job but a life long career of caring, learning, teaching, and nurturing.