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In This Issue:
Physicians and Nurses Celebrate the 2nd Annual Medical Housestaff Nursing Awards
2002 Housestaff Nursing Awardee Kelly Brennan, RN2002 Housestaff Nursing Awardee Rhonda Gee, RN
Together with their colleagues in the Department of Nursing, members of the Department of Medicine celebrated the 2nd Annual Nursing Appreciation Day on Friday, May 24. The event was centered on the presentation of this year’s Medical Housestaff Nursing Awards. The award pays tribute to those nurses who not only provide great patient care,but mentor and guide the newest members of the hospital’s medical staff during their first days and months at BWH.
“We are privileged to work closely with all of the excellent nurses at Brigham and Women’s and Faulkner Hospitals,” said Erica Mayer, MD, junior medical resident and chair of this year’s event. “And today we are celebrating ten special nurses who have demonstrated outstanding service to teaching and mentoring.”
Of the 50 nurses nominated, Rhonda Gee, Beverly Morrison, Paul Sedgwick, Nori Vincitorio, June Chong, Kelly Brennan, Eileen Erickson, Jeannette Meyers, Maureen Diperri and Pat Marinelli were selected by a committee of medical residents to receive this year’s Housestaff Nursing Award.
The medical residents, who each personally presented awards to the nurses they nominated, spoke candidly about their experiences and memories. Their stories made the audience shake with laughter, and often brought both smiles and tears to the winners’ faces.
“She is the glue that holds the Faulkner ICU together,” said Reena Pande, MD before presenting Pat Marinelli, RN with her award.
While describing the expert care and warm kindness June Chong, RN brings to the bedside, Angela Rogers, MD, paused and shared one of the highest compliments any colleague could offer. “I hope to one day be like you,” she said.
Jay Bradner, MD shared the following sentiments before announcing Kelly Brennan, RN as a 2002 winner. “Paralyzed at times by my own fear in the MICU, Kelly was the nurse who carried me through the darkest times with wisdom and compassion.”
While each nurse was honored for his or her unique contribution to mentoring and patient care, all nominees and winners had in common a delicate combination of clinical skill, respect and patience to guide these physicians through a tumultuous and emotional start at BWH. As described by one medical resident, “the nurse’s outstanding care for our patients is surpassed only by their care for BWH’s housestaff. We thank you all for your professionalism, but more importantly, your friendship.”