LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION honoring Heather C. Willens upon the occasion of
her designation for special recognition by St. Augustine's Episcopal
Church

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made signif-
icant contributions to the quality of life therein; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Heather C. Willens upon the occasion of her designation for special
recognition by St. Augustine's Episcopal Church, to be celebrated at its
luncheon on Sunday, May 17, 2009, at Terrace on the Park; and
WHEREAS, A Barbadian national, Heather Willens graduated from Washing-
ton High School, and after graduation she worked for civil service and
the Barbados Shipping and Trading Company before migrating to England in
1965; and
WHEREAS, Heather Willens studied nursing in England where, in 1968,
she earned her State Registered Nurse certification at St. Nicholas
Hospital, and received a State Certified Midwife diploma from Hillingdon
Hospital; and
WHEREAS, Once Heather Willens' studies were completed, she relocated
to New York City and was hired by Mt. Sinai Hospital to work in the
OBS/GYN unit; in addition, she chose to work as a private duty and per
diem nurse before transferring to Brookdale University Medical Center;
and
WHEREAS, After a sterling career in nursing spanning 42 years, Heather
Cecelia Willens retired from the Brookdale University Hospital Medical
Center in December of 2006; she was an adult health nurse, registered
nurse and senior psychiatric nurse at Brookdale, where she was responsi-
ble for extended observation, emergency psychiatric admission, patient
treatment and education, working with doctors, social workers and occu-
pational therapists; and
WHEREAS, Heather Willens earned a Bachelor's degree in community
health from New Jersey State University in 1987; she is a member of
BNAA, Inc, CANA and is a founding member of the Clinton Library; and
WHEREAS, Heather Willens has received the BNAA Member of the Year and
Officer of the Year Awards, and an award from the Council of the Barba-
dian Organization Pride Industry in New York; in addition, she was named
the Cambridge WHO'S WHO Professional of the Year in Psychiatric Nursing
for 2006; and
WHEREAS, For 2008-2009, Heather Willens was recognized as a VIP member
of the WHO'S WHO registry of Executives, Professionals and Entrepre-
neurs; in addition, she is a member of the Registered Nurses Division of
1199, National Association of Barbadian Organizations, and also serves
as President of the Churlind Block Association; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned our
recognition and applause; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Heather C. Willens upon the occasion of her designation for
special recognition by St. Augustine's Episcopal Church; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Heather C. Willens.