Margaret Bernazzani, BSN, RN
Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU)
Nominated by Joseph P. Dillon, BSN, RN, and Elizabeth Pond, RN, with letters of support from Matthew Quin, MSN, RN, Sharon M. Swan, MSN, RN, and Selwyn O. Rogers, Jr., MD, MPH.
Margaret Bernazzani, BSN, RN |
A staff nurse in the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (SICU), Margaret Bernazzani, BSN, RN, is known to advocate for her patients and their family members with kindness and confidence. In the SICU, where most patients have complex illnesses that are treated with equally complex technologies and procedures, Bernazzani preserves the humanness of the care experience for each patient.
“In an environment that depends on many intensive technologies, it can be easy to focus solely on data and equipment,” Nursing Director of the SICU and Burn/Trauma ICU Matthew Quin, MSN, RN, wrote in a letter of support. “Peggy has managed to embrace the humanistic side of nursing. She truly understands the importance of developing a trusting relationship with her patients and their families and always treats them with a high degree of dignity and respect.”
Described by nominator Joseph Dillon, BSN, RN, as “one of the strongest patient advocates we have,” Bernazzani is a clinical leader who speaks out on behalf of her patients.
Recently, Bernazzani was caring for a woman whose condition was deteriorating following her surgery. Members of the care team encouraged the patient’s tired family to go home to rest, but Bernazzani, recognizing the fragile state of the patient, pulled the rest of the care team aside to express her concern about the family leaving when the patient’s condition was so precarious. The care team agreed, and advised the family to stay with their loved one. Within an hour, the patient was brought back to the OR, and her family was able to see her before she underwent a second surgery.
The ability to advocate and provide support for patients during their most vulnerable times is ever-present in Bernazzani’s work. “No matter how complex or challenging a patient situation may be, she is never deterred,” said nominator Beth Pond, RN.
“I remember an occasion when she was the primary nurse caring for a dying patient. When the decision was made to withdraw care, she came in on her day off to be a source of strength to the family and the patient,” said Selwyn O. Rogers, Jr., MD, MPH, division chief, Trauma, Burn and Surgical Critical Care and co-director of the SICU. “This is one of countless examples of her compassion, integrity and kindness to her patients.”
Bernazzani is also well known for her drive for education and shines as a mentor to her colleagues.
“Peggy precepts new staff when they are coming into the ICU,” said Stefan Strojwas, RN, nurse educator in the SICU. “None have had anything but praise for her nurturing during their orientation. She always has a moment to answer their questions, even after they may have left the unit for other areas of the hospital.”
Bernazzani earned her RN from the Peter Bent Brigham Hospital, and her BSN from Emmanuel College in Boston. She is presently enrolled at Regis College, where she plans to graduate with an MSN in acute care clinical nursing. She began her career in the Male Surgical Ward and Neurosurgical Ward at BWH in 1976, and joined the SICU in 1979.
Christopher Day, BSN, RN
ICU Float Pool
Nominated by: Catherine Rumble Paccioretti, MS, RN, with letters of support from Eileen M. O’Connell, MS, RN, Meghan M. Roche, BSN, RN, and Judith Perron, BSN, RN.
Christopher Day, BSN, RN |
Throughout BWH’s eight specialty ICUs, Christopher Day, BSN, RN, is known for both his ability to keep calm in the most chaotic of situations and for his signature sense of humor—a trait that helps him to quickly connect with both patients and colleagues.
Day, a night nurse in the ICU Float Pool, is often called upon to quickly go from one acute situation to the next. Despite frequently moving from unit to unit, his colleagues say his presence never goes unnoticed. “Chris’s ability to emotionally connect with his patients in the moment is a wonderful characteristic,” said Catherine Rumble Paccioretti, MS, RN, nursing director of the ICU Float Pool, who nominated Day. “He has unique expertise in rapidly assessing and knowing the patient.”
A member of the Rapid Response team, Day was recently paged to a Hematology/Oncology floor to respond to a patient whose condition was quickly deteriorating. When he arrived on the floor, members of the patient’s care team surrounded the patient’s bed, discussing vital signs, labs and what may have triggered the patient’s event. Day saw immediately that the patient, a young man, was alert and scared.
“He walked right over to the patient, rested his hand on the patient’s forehead, and said, ‘You have a haircut just like mine.’ The patient, who was bald secondary to chemo, and Chris, who comes by it naturally, shared a laugh, and the focus on the patient using humor diffused his anxiety,” said Rumble Paccioretti. “Through this simple act of kindness, the patient was put at ease. Chris’ action translated to this patient as ‘you are ok.’”
Day included the patient in the team’s dialogue, and the patient was able to answer many of the team’s questions. “The patient surely felt known, cared for and unique,” said Rumble Paccioretti.
Day’s humor is recognized by his colleagues, as well.
“Chris comes to work armed with a great attitude and a smile,” said Eileen M. O’Connell, MS, RN, former nurse administrator. “He can make just about anybody laugh.”
In addition to his work at BWH, Day has been a Major in the U.S. Air Force Reserve, 514 Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, since 1994. He serves as Chief of Standards, and is responsible for the evaluations of critical care nurses and flight technicians.
“Colleagues will speak about Chris going into ‘military mode,’” said Rumble Paccioretti. “They are describing his ability to take charge when it is necessary for patient care. He does this at BWH, as well as in his role as a soldier.”
Day earned his BSN from Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and his ASN from Massasoit Community College. Prior to joining BWH in 2000, he worked at West Roxbury Veteran Affairs and Brockton Veteran Affairs.
Sherilyn Levy, MSN, RN
Center for Infertility and Reproductive Surgery
Nominated by Sandra L. Harmon, MSN, RN, with letters of support from Mark D. Hornstein, MD, Raymond Anchan, MD, PhD, and Kathleen Lyons Nelson, BSN, RN.
Sherilyn Levy, MSN, RN |
In the Center for Infertility and Reproductive Surgery, Sherilyn Levy, MSN, RN, is committed to meeting both the physical and emotional needs of her patients during an especially vulnerable time in their lives.
“Patients often come to our practice emotionally exhausted, distraught and broken. Their dreams of becoming parents have been shattered, and they find themselves embarking on a journey that turns a natural and loving act into a cold and clinical treatment process involving extensive diagnostic testing, painful shots and procedures and hormonal manipulation,” said Sandra Harmon, MSN, RN, nursing director of the Center for Infertility and Reproductive Surgery. “Sherilyn gently helps her patients understand and navigate down this strange and highly technical path toward parenthood.”
Her colleagues say that Levy is especially gifted at reading the needs of her patients and tailoring the educational methods and materials to meet them. In fact, she championed efforts to restructure the center’s informed consenting procedure and created a detailed patient education book.
“Having worked with Sherilyn for many years, I recognize that she brings her high level of education, clinical expertise, motivation and concern to her work every day,” said Mark D. Hornstein, MD, director of the Center for Infertility and Reproductive Surgery.
In addition to her dedication to ensuring patients understand the treatments they undergo, Levy is also aware of infertility’s emotional toll. After she recognized that the male partners of the center’s infertile couples were largely overlooked and not strongly supported throughout the fertility cycle, she seized the opportunity for nursing research and evidence-based practice improvement. She surveyed 100 male partners undergoing fertility treatment and ultimately created an educational pamphlet for men and a comfortable men’s lounge. She also raised awareness among clinicians about the challenges and stressors unique to the males in infertile couples.
Levy’s sensitivity to the emotional needs of infertile couples led her to participate in a multi-disciplinary research study on the effects of emotional support during a critical phase of the fertility cycle. The findings were published in the October issue of Fertility and Sterility.
“Sherilyn is an admired and respected leader in the eyes of all her peers, and her passion and dedication for improving patient care is evident in the numerous projects that she is involved in,” said Kathleen Lyons Nelson, BSN, RN.
Levy earned her ASN from Northeastern University, her BSN from Emmanuel College, and her MSN from Drexel University. She joined BWH in 1977, where she worked in various inpatient and day surgery areas in the OB/GYN department. She joined the Center for Reproductive Medicine as a staff nurse in 1998, and was promoted to nurse in-charge in 2006. She is a member of many professional organizations and hospital-wide committees, and has presented at multiple conferences.
Susan McDonald, BSN, RN
Hematology/Oncology/Bone Marrow Transplant Unit
Nominated by Katie Fillipon, MS, RN, OCN, with letters of support from Cathleen Rowland, MSN, MPH, RN, OCN, Christina Allen, RN, Erin Collier, RN, Alyssa Somley, RN, and patient Oliver Durrell.
Susan McDonald, BSN, RN |
Susan McDonald, BSN, RN, nurse in-charge, is known on Tower 7B, a hematology/oncology/bone marrow transplant unit, for her ability to connect with patients and understand who they are beyond their illness. A cancer survivor herself, McDonald is an inspiration to the patients she cares for.
“Susan has helped make 7B into a unit where patients and families come for care, and to remember who they were before they were sick,” said nursing director Katie Fillipon, MS, RN, OCN. “That gives our patients hope.”
McDonald’s colleagues say that she exudes the qualities of caring, empathy, intuition, leadership and strength every day.
“What distinguishes Susan as exceptional in her role both as a bedside nurse and nurse in-charge is that she is a tireless example of attentiveness to patients above all else and is always non-judgmental and open to new people and ideas,” wrote Christina Allen, RN, and Erin Collier, RN, both of 7B, in a letter of support.
They recount the story of a patient who, newly diagnosed with lung cancer, was unable to get out of bed or even sit up on his own. During her care for the patient, McDonald discovered that his anniversary was approaching. Later that day, she purchased a card for him to give to his wife, enabling him to celebrate what would be their last anniversary.
“He cried tears of joy because of this simple gesture,” Allen and Collier wrote.
When that same patient began to require end-of-life care, McDonald worked with BWH Admitting’s International Office, Care Coordination and the patient’s family to ensure he could travel home to Bermuda to spend his final days with his family, in accordance with their wishes.
“As a nurse, knowing your patient is the most powerful skill you have,” said clinical educator Cathleen Rowland, MSN, RN, MPH, OCN, in a letter of support. “As a charge nurse, knowing your colleagues and appreciating the care they give to the patient promotes excellence. They know they are cared for and appreciated.”
Patient Oliver Durrell said, “Whereas doctors may have prescribed the course of treatment, I feel that Susan and her fellow workers are the ones who got my health back again.”
“Working on an oncology floor can be emotionally draining at times, but Susan has a way of cheering up the staff and her patients, no matter how hard things may be. Every day she comes to work with an amazing outlook and zest for life, and this reflects onto the care she provides,” said Alyssa Somley, RN, of 7B.
McDonald earned her BSN from Curry College, and also attended New England Baptist School of Nursing. Prior to joining BWH in 1986, she worked at South Shore Hospital and Brockton Hospital. She has been a nurse in charge in oncology at BWH since 1991.