Rockland Celebrates National Nurses Week

County Legislature Recognizes Local Residents As Part Of National Nurse’s Week Celebration

The Rockland County Legislature is celebrating National Nurses Week by recognizing the contributions of three local residents who have long worked as nurses while also volunteering for the betterment of their communities.

Rockland County Legislature Vice Chair Dr. Aney Paul, who holds a Doctorate in Nursing Practice and has been a nurse for more than 30 years, presented Distinguished Service Awards to nurses Glenn Albin, Gaelle Duvivier and Mary Laiju Shine Kelanthara. The DSA is the Legislature’s highest award.

May is traditionally the month when nurses are recognized worldwide, in part because May 12 is the birthday of Florence Nightingale. She professionalized nursing roles for women and is known as the founder of modern nursing.

“Our honorees have done incredible and selfless work in caring for our sick families, friends and neighbors while also finding time to volunteer in many capacities in the community,” Legislator Paul said. “We can truly say that they make a positive difference every day to Rockland County.”

Glenn Albin transitioned from a 20-year career in accounting to become a paramedic and emergency room nurse. He worked as a Tax Auditor and Associate Auditor for NYS before retiring in 2011. Inspired by community service, he joined the South Orangetown Ambulance Corps in 1981 and has served in various roles – from Treasurer to Chief to Board President, to name a few. This summer, he will mark 44 years of service with the ambulance corps.

Nurse Albin earned his Paramedic Certification in 1984 and continues to work with Rockland Paramedic Services, where he began in 1986. He obtained an associate’s degree in nursing from Rockland Community College followed by a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the Empire State Colleges. In October, he will mark 13 years as a nurse at Nyack Hospital, primarily in the emergency room. He currently serves as the hospital’s Trauma Program Performance Improvement Coordinator. He also works to help the next generation by mentoring new nurses and teaching Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Life Support.

Nurse Albin is also a 4th Degree Sir Knight with the Piermont Council of the Knights of Columbus, further highlighting his deep involvement in community activities.

Dr. Gaelle Duvivier is a Certified Nurse Midwife and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner with over a decade of experience, primarily with Mount Sinai Health System, including community health, medical-surgical, and labor & delivery nursing. She is an Assistant Professor at SUNY Rockland Community College, teaching various nursing courses. She believes education and communication are crucial in nursing and is passionate about sharing this with her students.

Dr. Duvivier is also active in community service, volunteering with RCC’s Community Involvement Committee and serving as Treasurer for the Haitian American Nurses Association (HANA) of Hudson Valley. She organizes HANA’s health fairs and shares health insights on their radio show.

At New York Presbyterian, Dr. Duvivier works as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner, focusing on empowering women to make informed health decisions.

Dr. Duvivier’s scholarship and research aims to improve breastfeeding rates and address disparities in maternal and child health.

She holds a Doctorate in Nursing Practice, a Post-Graduate Certificate, and a Master of Science in Nursing from Frontier Nursing University, along with undergraduate degrees from The City University of New York. Her education and experience make her a respected leader in advancing women’s healthcare.

Mary Laiju Shine Kelanthara is a Registered Nurse with 28 years of experience, currently working as a Nurse Administrator and Infection Control Nurse for Hudson Valley Developmentally Disabled State Operations (HVDDSO) in New York.

Originally from Kerala, India, Nurse Kelanthara moved to the U.S. in 1986 for higher education and has built a remarkable nursing career. Her roles have included working at Nyack Hospital and New York-Presbyterian Westchester Hospital and the Rockland Blaisdell Addiction Treatment Center.

Nurse Kelanthara is deeply committed to community service, shown through her work with ‘Help Age India,’ where she raised funds to benefit the poor and aged, and her long-term volunteering at the Holy Family Rockland Syro-Malabar Catholic Church as a Catechism teacher and participant in cultural activities.

Beyond her professional and community roles, Nurse Kelanthara enjoys acting in South Indian TV sitcoms, as well as dancing and choreographing. She credits her success to her family’s support, including her husband Jacob Roy and their children Tiara, Zarina, and Nadia, along with the guidance of her parents, teachers, and her faith in God.