From left to right: Sandra Watkins, CNO, Eden Rao, BSN CNOR, Vanessa Lanterman, BS, CNOR, RNFA, Kari Zwiefka, Director of Surgical Services, Ryan Mascho, CNOR, Hannah Evingham, BSN, CNOR
From Jones Memorial Hospital,
Wellsville, NY [February 19, 2026] The Operating Room (OR) nursing team at UR Medicine Jones Memorial Hospital has proudly earned the distinguished CNOR Strong designation for 2026. This recognition is awarded to hospitals that demonstrate a high percentage of Certified Perioperative Nurses (CNORs) on staff, signifying a profound commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based surgical care.
The Certified Perioperative Nurse (CNOR) credential is a vital, voluntary certification for operating room nurses. It validates specialized expertise, significantly enhances patient safety, and contributes to improved surgical outcomes. Achieving this certification requires nurses to have at least two years of experience as perioperative nurses and to pass a rigorous examination.
‘We are incredibly proud of our dedicated OR nursing team for achieving the CNOR Strong designation,” stated Kari Zwiefka, MSN, CSSM, CNOR, CRCST. “Their commitment to professional excellence and continuous learning directly translates into superior patient care and safety within our surgical department.”
At this time, 100% of eligible nurses in the department hold their CNOR certification, with 5 of the 8 registered nurses holding the designation. The remaining three nurses are actively working towards eligibility, requiring one more year of perioperative experience to qualify for the certification exam.
Research consistently shows that teams comprised of CNOR-certified nurses, who have mastered the standards of perioperative practice, are correlated with improved outcomes for surgical patients. This designation underscores Jones Memorial Hospital’s dedication to fostering a highly skilled and knowledgeable nursing workforce, ultimately benefiting every patient undergoing surgery.
ABOUT JONES MEMORIAL HOSPITAL
Jones Memorial Hospital (JMH), located in beautiful southwestern New York State, is a CMS 4 Star quality rated, 49-bed acute care facility serving all of Allegany County, as well as western Steuben County and northern Potter County, PA. Truly a community hospital, JMH is committed to continuously raising quality and safety to higher levels and providing top quality healthcare in a hometown community setting. Jones Memorial is accredited by The Joint Commission and is a Forbes Top Hospital for 2026.
