Published May 14, 2026
Nurses are like stones, according to a small plaque underneath the latest piece of art to adorn the hallways of Westerly Hospital.
Nurses are “resilient, reliable, and enduring through every tide.” And while a stone may seem small, “TOGETHER we form the foundation that supports life’s crashing waves,” the plaque reads.
Within this context – and within the frame on the wall – stones in the artwork feature the names of all Westerly Hospital nurses who have achieved certification in their field. The hospital, as part of Yale New Haven Health, encourages nurses to earn certifications in their specialties to grow their careers, challenge themselves and to elevate the care they provide through ongoing learning.
The hospital’s new seashore “stone-scape” is similar in concept to a certification tree at Greenwich Hospital, where new leaves are added to the tree for newly certified nurses. Westerly Hospital’s Nursing Professional Governance (NPG) team picked a beach theme because of the town’s proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and its popular beaches.
The chance to get one’s name on a stone will serve as further incentive for nurses considering certification, but the artwork, located not far from the cafeteria, will also help remind patients and families that they are being cared for by professionals who strive to be their best, according to NPG team members.
“We hope patients and families will see this and realize just how much education and work we do to be our best at the bedside,” said Ashley Napolitano, RN, a member of Westerly’s NPG team. “We’re working hard to expand our knowledge so we can be ready for all of those crashing waves that impact our patients.”
Adding to the beach theme is a piece of driftwood (yes, it’s from a local beach) that sits atop the framed piece. The driftwood was created and donated by Russell Lenihan, PA, who works in the hospital’s Operating Room; it reads: “Steppingstones of Excellence.”
The NPG team also has plans for a complementary piece of art to highlight winners of the hospital’s DAISY and Sunflower awards, so stay tuned.
