BID-Needham Nurses Recognized by The Boston Globe Salute to Nurses 2015
Each year, The Boston Globe honors the many remarkable nurses who have made this city the capital of caregiving. “Tell us about your favorite nurses,” we asked our readers and they responded with stories that make you proud of the profession. “Impeccable care,” “with us till the end,” “my daughter’s best friend”—all are compliments dotted among the almost 400 letters the Globe received.
They are a remarkable collection of “thank yous” : praise for the CICU nurse who held a heart patient’s hand, the school nurse who keeps her eye on a diabetic child, and the oncology nurse who administers chemo even as she helps banish fear.
But Boston’s nurses are more than caregivers; they are innovators. Today’s nurses are improving care by initiating new programs, finding better ways to follow up on patient care, and helping cardiac patients recover not only their health but their memories.
These are the nurses who’ve touched our lives. They are the best in the country, probably the best in the world. And it is with great pride that The Boston Globe recognizes their service to the community.
From Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital-Needham:
Suzi Pierre
For her compassionate actions in helping a distraught elderly patient, I nominate Suzi. The patient’s granddaughter, with whom she is extremely close, was getting married. Due to her illness, the grandmother would be unable to attend the wedding. She was in tears daily, devastated with the prospect of missing the family celebration.
Suzi went out of her way and arranged with a family member to make a video call over the phone. This allowed the grandmother to witness the entire wedding. The patient was delighted and didn’t miss any of the ceremony. Sometimes, it’s the little efforts that make the biggest impact, and Suzi really went beyond her job requirements to help her patient. —Nominated by Evelyn Peters
Vanessa Vasquezi
Vanessa was recognized by the Rewards and Recognition committee for her calm, soft-spoken manor and her focus on patient care. Vanessa had a mildly confused patient on the evening shift. She wrote a note and left it at the patient’s bedside. The note explained that she was safe and in the hospital and when she was well she would return to her home. This note helped to orient the patient and calm her fears about being in a strange place. This kind of compassionate care is as important as the antibiotics the patient received. —Nominated by David Farnworth