Neuroscience Nurse Honored with Asian/Pacific Islander Award

Grace Mascarinas-Huebsch, RN, is this year’s Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Award, with Vincent Vacca, MSN, RN, left, and Shaun Golden, BSN, RN.

Just a few weeks ago, Shaun Golden, BSN, RN, Neuroscience ICU nurse manager, received yet another letter in the mail praising the work of clinical staff nurse Grace Mascarinas-Huebsch, RN.

“From the moment Grace greeted us in the family room at about 4 a.m. to our departure three days later, we were treated with the utmost compassion and consideration,” the letter said.

Golden added the letter to the other many praises Mascarinas-Huebsch has received over her five-year career in the Neuroscience ICU. This kindness, respect, dedication and leading by example earned Mascarinas-Huebsch this year’s Asian/Pacific Islander Heritage Award.

“I am deeply honored to receive this award, but I couldn’t do this without the support of my colleagues, Clinical Educator Vince Vacca, Nurse Manager Shaun Golden, and my family,” Mascarinas-Huebsch said during the award ceremony in May. “My approach to nursing is simple: I care for my patients the same way I would want people in my family to be cared for.”

With this award, now in its second year, the Department of Nursing honors a nurse of Asian/Pacific Islander descent whose efforts are aimed at improving culturally-sensitive patient care in their unit and who is engaged in activities aimed at preparing the next generation of multicultural nurses.

Originally from the Philippines, Mascarinas-Huebsch embodies these qualities. She cares for all patients with compassion and exceptional clinical skills with an open mind and is always willing to learn from her patients.

“Grace recognizes the importance of empathy, respect and concern for patients and their families, attention to all clinical details, and ensuring the safety of our patients,” said Vacca, who nominated Mascarinas-Huebsch for the award.

Golden added, “We have witnessed the growth and development of Grace into a caring, committed nurse who exemplifies our profession by the delivery of her nursing practice at the highest level. She embodies what all nurses should strive for in their practice and who all patients should have is a nurse here at the Brigham.”