OUR MISSION

The Finger Lakes Honor Guard is privileged to recognize and honor those who have dedicated their lives to serving others in their chosen profession as a nurse at the end of their life journey. The Honor Guards presence provides meaningful recognition and honor to a nurse who has passed and hopes to ease the grief of their family members, loved ones and colleagues.

VISION OF THE FINGER LAKES NURSE HONOR GUARD

Honoring nurses at the end-of-life journey while recognizing their contributions to their profession as a nurse. This is achieved through a group of compassionate and devoted volunteer nurses coming together to preform a tribute ceromony that perpetuates the legacy of nursing, offers comfort to their grieving families, and inspires future generations of nurses by highlighting the values of compassion, dedication, and service within the nursing profession.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Founder And President

Ruth Benjamin began her career in 1974. Her passion has been to work with and advocate for those with Intellectual Developmental disabilities, their families and for support staff, and work related to caring for people at the end of their life journey. She dedicated 33 years to fulfill this passion at Heritage Christian Services, as the Director of Health Management and Research and one additional year as Aging and End of Life Care planner before retiring from this role in April of 2023. As Director of Health Management and Research, Ruth provided leadership to both the Nursing Team and the Dieticians, as well as medical oversight with the nursing team for four hundred individuals with Intellectual Disabilities. Ruth continues to advocate for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with medical complexities and their families on a consulting basis. She has been honored with several awards for her excellence in caring for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Ruth is the founder and president of the Finger Lakes Nurse Honor Guard which recognizes and honors nurses at the end of their life journey. She maintains her certification as a Certified Developmental and Disability Nurse, Rehabilitative Nurse. She is board certified in Geriatrics, certified as a Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse, Advanced Steps ACP Facilitator, and most recently obtained a certificate as an End-of-Life Doula. She is also a Public Officer for the Surrogate Decision-Making Panel as part of the Justice Center for the Protection of People with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In January of 2022, Ruth began serving as a board member of the DDNA. She has also served as a member of the Advisory Board for the Complex Care Center. Another aspect of Ruth’s professional contribution includes the continued participation in the development of I/DD curriculum and instruction for nursing students at St. John Fisher College. Ruth is serving as a member of the board of directors for the Shephard Home and offer support for the home’s continued success. Ruth enjoys family, travel, teaching, and is always in pursuit of new knowledge.

President Elect

Deb Crane graduated with an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing from Finger Lakes Health College of Nursing in 2011. Received her Bachelor of Science degree from Roberts Wesleyan College in 2016 and her Masters of Science degree from State University of New York Empire State College in 2022. She has maintained a certification in Progressive Care Nursing since 2013. She has experience in medical-surgical nursing, emergency medicine, cardiac care and testing, geriatrics, school nursing, clinical leader and nurse manager. In 2018 Deb joined Finger Lakes Health College of Nursing and Health Sciences as a clinical instructor. Her previous experience and her love for academia assisted her in the advancement to clinical lead and evolved to classroom lead/instruction in Fundamentals of Nursing and Medical-Surgical Nursing I and II, as well as RN Program Coordinator. In her current role as Professor Deb’s responsibilities include providing an appropriate climate for learning and facilitates the adult learning process. Deb is committed to personal and professional growth while being a strong advocate for the nursing profession and giving back to the community. She is a member of the American Nurse Association, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, National League of Nursing, and Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society. She is a committee member for the Heart of Nursing, on the board of directors for Finger Lakes Health College of Nursing. She joined the Finger Lakes Nurse Honor Guard in 2024 and currently holds the position as President Elect on the board.

Vice President 1

Vice President 11

Treasurer

Kathy Taras. I am a graduate of Marion Whelan School of Nursing, Finger Lakes Community College & Nazareth College. I had a fulfilling career and I retired after 47 years in Nursing. I worked @ Geneva General Hospital as an LPN & RN for 22 years & then for 25 years @ Seneca Nursing & Rehab with Dr Tim Ryan as a GNP. My focus was with Geriatrics which was my passion. My goal as a practitioner was to provide quality care & assist individuals as they aged with grace & dignity while dealing with multisystem medical issues. I precepted both NP & PA students from local colleges. I was the recipient of the Paul Harris Rotary Award in 2020 as we faced the Covid pandemic. I enjoy reading, golf & spending time with my 3 granddaughters. I chose to be part of the Finger Lakes Nurse Honor Guard as it gives me the opportunity to give back to all the nurses who nourished & supported me in my career and accomplishments.

Secretary

Tiffany Ryan, MS RN, has been a Registered Nurse since 1998. She spent most of her career as an Intensive Care Unit Nurse, then transitioning to the role of educator both as a faculty member and as a staff educator. She currently works as an Infection Prevention nurse. Tiffany is active in her community as she has volunteered for numerous youth sports programs, local school fundraisers and is the Parish nurse for Our Lady of Peace Parish. Tiffany currently serves on the board as recording secretary.