RNs Take Their Mark

The nurses and all of Team Brigham need your help. Learn about the team and how you can help at http://healthcare.partners.org/teambrigham.

Nurses account for six out of 15 BWHers running the 26.2-mile Boston Marathon under the Team Brigham banner next month.

“I am dedicating the marathon run to my husband who struggles daily with MS and my cousin who had two bone marrow transplants here at BWH,” said Colleen Smith, RN, a nurse practitioner for the Cardiac Assist Device Program. “I am also motivated by my heart transplant and cardiac assist device patients. They have all faced many challenges to be well and live life to the fullest.”

Smith, a first-time marathoner and Team Brigham member, joins fellow nurses Cindy Lemay, RN, nurse manager on 14CD; Elizabeth Taylor, RN; Dana Jones, RN, Rhonda Martin, RN, and Jennifer Byers-Fischette, RN. Taylor has been a fixture on the team since 1999, and Lemay ran last year for the first time with Team Brigham. “The team is just wonderful to train with,” Lemay said.

Team Brigham 2005 is 127 members strong, and each member is committed to raising at least $2,500 to help community health programs. Last year, Team Brigham raised more than $375,000 for the Office for Women, Family and Community Programs, pushing the seven-year total past the $2 million mark.

“As a nurse here at BWH, caring isn't limited to within the walls of the hospital. I have a commitment to provide care to the community as well,” Lemay said of reaching out to family, friends and colleagues to support her fund raising efforts.

The goal for year eight is $400,000, as demand is increasing for BWH's community services like Passageway, a domestic violence intervention program; Student Success Jobs Program, that matches 25 high school students to BWH mentors and internships; and Connecting Hope, Assistance and Treatment or CHAT, a program that provides financial assistance to women diagnosed with breast cancer.