UMass Memorial Health

Pamela Goudge, UMass Memorial Medical Center

She was exactly what I needed on one of the worst days of my life. She was caring, compassionate, and so patient. With the loss of my son, she made it just a little bit easier to handle. Through both surgeries and the aftercare, she was right by my side, holding my hand and offering kind words. 

Thank you again, Pamela, for everything you did for my husband and me. Thank you also for all the love you gave our sweet baby boy as he was passing and even after. You were really what I needed that day.

Nominated by Kayle Naoum

Deborah Hauptman, UMass Memorial Health – Milford Regional

For the past 22 years, I have had the privilege of working alongside Deb as an obstetric nurse. Our professional paths have intertwined numerous times, but her impact on my life extends far beyond our shared work in maternity. Deb has not only cared for countless patients with extraordinary expertise, but she has also cared for me and my family. After the birth of my youngest child, Deb’s compassionate and skillful care left a lasting impression. Years later, when my daughters underwent surgery at Mass Eye and Ear, it was Deb in the recovery room, bringing comfort and reassurance to my family during a vulnerable time.

Deb’s incredible clinical expertise spans all nursing arenas, and she carries it with an ease that inspires confidence in everyone around her. As a peer, I feel immense relief when Deb is working beside me in our high-risk maternity unit. Her steady presence ensures we always have a knowledgeable and dependable backup in even the most critical situations.

My faith in Deb as a nurse became unshakable during a personal medical crisis. I found myself under her care while experiencing a severe postoperative complication. While I was acutely aware that my condition likely required a medical unit, being under Deb’s watchful eye was exactly where I needed to be. Her ability to recognize the gravity of my situation, her unwavering vigilance, and her vast clinical knowledge were lifesaving. I knew I was in the hands of the best.

Deb’s impact goes beyond her patients; she is a beacon of knowledge for new nurses and a pillar of support for experienced colleagues. Her ability to provide guidance and confidence to those around her is unmatched. Watching Deb care for others, especially in moments of fear and uncertainty, is nothing short of awe-inspiring. She is a powerhouse nurse, a trusted colleague, and a cherished friend.

Nominated by Colleen Annantuonio

Ursuline Academy

Heather Smart, Ursuline Academy

In a school filled with young women navigating adolescence, nurse Smart is more than a health care provider; she is a trusted confidante and unwavering advocate for her students. She fosters an environment of warmth, trust, and security, ensuring every student feels seen, heard, and supported. 

Nurse Smart’s defining quality is her compassion. Whether comforting a student with a fever, offering reassurance to someone struggling with anxiety, or providing a quiet space for rest, she approaches each interaction with kindness, empathy, and humor. She understands the stress and challenges students face and provides both medical care and emotional support. Her ability to listen without judgment and respond with patience makes her a source of comfort to all who enter her office.

Students trust nurse Smart with their health and personal concerns, knowing she handles every situation with professionalism and confidentiality. She has created a safe space where students feel encouraged to express their worries. 

As a parent, I deeply appreciate the love and care she provides to my daughter and her classmates. As a mother herself, she brings a nurturing presence that reassures students they are never alone in their struggles.

Nurse Smart is the definition of compassion, trust, and advocacy in the Ursuline school community. Her dedication to student well-being leaves a lasting impact. Through her kindness, expertise, and selfless devotion, she continues to inspire and uplift, embodying the very best of what it means to be a caregiver.

Nominated by Kristie McManus

Wentworth-Douglass Hospital

Trevor Gahafer, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital

I was a patient in January 2025. I was in so much abdominal pain. I was in Room 21, and Trevor was my nurse. He came in, introduced himself, and checked on me every 15 to 30 minutes. I thought it was stomach pain, but it turned out to be my gallbladder. He medicated me as needed and made my stay so much better. 

He was smiling and laughing during what was otherwise a painful time for me, and I welcomed his sense of humor. I had just lost my brother two weeks before, and when Trevor had to go to another area in the emergency department, I begged him to take me with him. He did. 

His compassion and ability to recognize and help patients who are upset are awesome. He calmed me down, and I can honestly say that because of him, I had exceptional care. He is compassionate, he cares, and he is the best nurse in the emergency department at Wentworth-Douglass. 

My stay was exceptional because of Trevor. His knowledge and nursing skills are amazing, and he does the job with care. I have only trusted a few nurses in my time, and Trevor is my number one. Wentworth-Douglass Hospital is extremely lucky to have such a caring, compassionate nurse. He deserves recognition for all he does. He goes above and beyond. 

Thank you, Trevor.

Nominated by Lisa Bonneau

Kathleena Meats, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital

As a neurologist specializing in multiple sclerosis (MS) care, I have had the privilege of working alongside Kathleena for the past year. I have witnessed her remarkable impact on our patients’ lives firsthand.

What sets Kathleena apart is her unwavering dedication to patient care, even while facing her own significant health challenges. Despite undergoing cancer treatment herself, she consistently puts her patients’ needs first, approaching each day with warmth, empathy, and determination. Her personal experience with illness has only deepened her ability to connect with and support our patients through their medical journeys.

Kathleena’s expertise in MS care is matched by her exceptional ability to build trust with patients. She takes the time to listen to their concerns, explain complex treatment plans, and provide emotional support during difficult times. Her intelligence and clinical acumen make her an invaluable member of our health care team, while her compassionate nature helps patients feel understood and cared for.

Time and again, patients express their gratitude for Kathleena’s care, often telling me how fortunate they feel to have her as their nurse. They appreciate her thorough follow-up, her willingness to go above and beyond to address their needs, and her genuine concern for their well-being.

In an era when health care can sometimes feel impersonal, Kathleena stands as a shining example of what nursing should be: a perfect blend of professional excellence and human kindness. Her resilience in the face of personal health challenges while maintaining exceptional patient care is truly inspiring.

I can think of no one more deserving of recognition than Kathleena Meats. She embodies the very best qualities of the nursing profession.

Nominated by Alexandra Filippakis

Shawna Zielfelder, Wentworth-Douglass Hospital

Shawna is probably the most caring, compassionate individual I have ever met. Shawna works in the infusion treatment center. We treat mostly individuals with autoimmune disorders. Our patients struggle with lifelong treatment in addition to life’s normal stresses. Shawna doesn’t just place an IV and provide treatment — she is truly present in each and every interaction with a patient. No matter how busy or how stressed, she always stops and makes that patient feel like they are the most important person in the room, and they know she truly cares with every fiber of her being. 

She does more than just administer the antibiotics — she assesses pain, bowels, and more, educating every step of the way. I have been a nurse for 27 years, and I have never witnessed the level of caring and compassion I see every day from Shawna. It is just who she is! 

Shawna also recently had her own battle with colon cancer. She endured chemotherapy, surgery, and radiation — and through it all, every step of the way, she was never thinking of herself but of what resources she could share with her patients. She shares her experience, strength, and hope every day. Her personal experience has only made her a better nurse, and I have so much admiration for her. She accepts every person for who and where they are and works with that.

Nominated by Johnna Shennett

Winchester Hospital

Loretta DiCenso, Winchester Hospital

Loretta is a star. She consistently shows up with a positive attitude. She is always willing to help anyone in need. Loretta demonstrates compassion, empathy, and a can-do spirit that lifts up those around her. The way she shows up is exemplary. Her patients love her and appreciate the help she gives them on a daily basis. Loretta is a model of selflessness and generosity — a standard we should all strive to meet. It is a pleasure to work with her, and she deserves a Salute to Nurses recognition. 

Nominated by Kimberly Bourgeois

Tamara Dupre, Winchester Hospital

Tamara is an experienced nurse who works night shifts at Winchester. Through the years, she has approached her role with professionalism, compassion, competence, and a commitment to supporting others, especially our newer nurses. 

Tamara is a calm and confident presence on a complex unit and is appreciated for her willingness to support her colleagues as they grow and her sensitivity to patients. She remains situationally aware of all patients in the department, as well as the overall hospital situation during the overnight shift. 

We are all thankful for Tamara’s ongoing commitment to our colleagues and our patients.

Nominated by Anonymous

Gabriella Guarino, Winchester Hospital

Gabriella is a new graduate nurse who has been working in the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) for seven months. She has exceeded our expectations since the beginning of her orientation. She cares for all patients, from pediatric to elderly, who have undergone a variety of surgeries. Her care of patients, some of whom are in need of intensive care, reflects the skill of someone who has been a nurse for much longer than seven months. Her assessment skills allow her to identify potential problems before they can cause the patient harm. She is very compassionate toward her patients and always has their best interests at heart. Her professionalism in collaborating with physicians is second to none. It is a pleasure having her as part of our PACU team. I would gladly have her care for anyone in my own family. Gabriella is a wonderful addition to the nursing profession.

Nominated by Diane Scali

Karen Rogers Bukari, Winchester Hospital

Karen and I have been colleagues for over four years, since I started as the oncology social worker at Winchester. Recently, our patient population has shifted toward a younger age group, particularly young women with breast cancer. Karen has a special talent for connecting with these young women, who are scared and overwhelmed as their whole world has been rocked by a shocking cancer diagnosis.

Once you are a patient of Karen’s, you have an immediate love for Karen. She connects with patients by developing excellent rapport, inquiring about their families, interests, struggles, and hopes. She has a deep passion for helping her patients feel as comfortable as possible during the most stressful time in their lives. Collaborating with Karen is easy, rewarding, and, at times, even very fun. Karen deserves recognition for the empathy and excellent nursing care she provides every day.

Nominated by Erin Jewell