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Stella Chen, NeighborHealth
Stella Chen displays exceptional compassion, teamwork, and dedication every day. A few months ago, I had to stay late to provide care for a patient after the rest of the team had left for the day. I was feeling overwhelmed and stressed trying to ensure everything was completed safely and thoroughly since this was a new task. Without hesitation, Stella noticed I was struggling and voluntarily chose to stay and help. Her willingness to step in made a huge difference. We were able to provide thorough and patient-centered care, and I felt supported during a moment when I really needed it.
This is just one example of Stella going above and beyond whenever a colleague or patient needs assistance. She anticipates needs, offers help without being asked, and creates a safe and compassionate environment on our floor. She is extremely selfless and committed to the well-being of others.
Nominated by Crystal Zeng
Kenia Giron, NeighborHealth
The best way to describe Kenia is someone who encompasses all of the best qualities of a nurse. Her clinical background is remarkable; she holds so much information and is able to confidently provide patient care through any challenge. She is kind, compassionate, inclusive, and the biggest advocate for patients I have ever met. If a patient needs a new medication, education about a diagnosis, or more support from the care team than they previously received, she will advocate for the patient and hold nothing back.
All patients Kenia takes care of are in the best hands, as she is thorough with her work and shows them that they can trust her. While I shadowed Kenia as a new nurse, I was honored to witness many patients open up to her about their life story, a new diagnosis, or their mental health, and they trusted her to care for them completely. She has sat with patients for however long they need to talk about their life, and she supports them with encouraging and caring words.
Even when times get chaotic at the clinic with a rapid response or an emergency code, Kenia is calm, cool, and collected and runs the code without batting an eye. She is direct, which is important in these scenarios, doing what has to be done for the patient while also directing the team accordingly. Learning from her as a new nurse, and each day onward, has been the greatest experience. Our team can learn so much from Kenia. Between the clinical knowledge and her compassion, she is beyond inspiring. To Kenia: thank you for all that you do! Our team and our patients are so lucky to have you.
Nominated by Brooke Zahine
Michelle Miranda, NeighborHealth, Neighborhood PACE
I would like to sincerely commend you for the exceptional compassion you demonstrate in your care. Your kindness, empathy, and attentiveness truly reflect the heart of nursing. The comfort and reassurance you provide to patients and their families make a lasting difference.
Nominated by Noelia Murillo
Enehi Osunbor, NeighborHealth
Enehi is a talented, professional, creative, collaborative, responsible nurse. She is steadfast in the face of high-risk situations. For example, she took care of a patient with severe blood glucose and managed the situation alongside the doctor with calm and clear communication. When it comes to urgent situations, Enehi always stays calm and handles the situation with care, making sure her patient is okay and leaves feeling better.
Nominated by Sisi Parada Mendoza
Ruddy Perez, NeighborHealth
To an amazing, kind, and attentive nurse! When I first started working at South End NeighborHealth, Ruddy went out of his way to introduce himself to me and welcome me to the team. When I finally started getting trained by him, I was astounded at how much he taught me. He knew so much and was able to make all the information digestible. Still to this day, when I ask him silly questions, he always makes it feel like it’s us versus the problem. Thank you, Ruddy! P.S. I have a silly question to ask. Just kidding!
Nominated by Andrice Ducheine
Lisa Tamagna, NeighborHealth, Neighborhood PACE
I am honored to nominate my nurse manager, Lisa Tamagna, for this recognition. Lisa is the definition of humility, empathy, and compassion. She is an incredibly considerate and caring nurse whose positivity impacts everyone around her.
Lisa is tremendously supportive of every team member she oversees. She leads with encouragement, understanding, and respect, always making herself available to guide and support her staff. Her ability to remain calm and focused in high-pressure situations is valued. No matter how challenging the circumstances, she approaches every situation in a calm manner.
Managing and overseeing four Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) sites can be challenging, yet Lisa handles this immense responsibility without any complaint. Her dedication, resilience, and tireless work ethic demonstrate extraordinary professionalism. She consistently ensures that both patients and staff receive exceptional care, attention, and support.
Lisa exemplifies what it truly means to be a nurse and a leader. If I were to describe her in one word, it would be “exemplary.” She is a role model whose compassion, dedication, and strength inspire me every day.
Nominated by Ligia Martinez
Lisa is a nurse manager who has persevered through many changes as we celebrate 35 years of operation. She continuously shows up every day, even on some of her off days. She is incredibly attentive to the needs of our participants but also readily available for consultation.
Her experience, her attitude, her humor, and personality are all integral to making Lisa who she is. She is the quiet motor who keeps us going, someone who steps in when we need coverage or when a new graduate just needs an extra hand. She is our Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) nursing team north star.
I have never felt more indebted to someone until after she went on vacation this past week. Without her steadfastness, guidance, consistency, and ability to curate a greatly motivated team, I would have never gotten as far into being a PACE nurse as I am today.
Nominated by Momo Trang
Debbie McDonough, New England Baptist Hospital
During a patient’s most vulnerable state, under anesthesia in the operating room, Debbie carefully assesses head to toe and communicates with the team, ensuring safety and skin integrity during extensive positioning for long spine procedures. Because of Debbie’s diligence and compassion, patients are safer with less injury, and our team strives to follow her lead. She doesn’t miss any area that needs extra padding or protection and constantly leads with a patient-safety-first mindset. Between her attention to detail and years of experience, she encompasses not only compassion, but clinical competency, excellent communication, and trust in care. Even when patients are asleep, Debbie is the one you want on your side advocating for you!
Even when it was not her patient, Debbie arrived to my busy operating room (OR) to help me with a very heavy patient with complicated positioning, ready with all of the tools to ensure that, from head to toe, this patient’s pressure points were protected and ready to be in one position for hours under sterile covers. To an eye unfamiliar with positioning a spine patient in the OR, this may seem rudimentary, but this is what protects patients from waking up with new skin tears, pressure wounds, and injury. Thank you, Debbie, for keeping our patients safe from injury and mentoring each and every one of us every single day!
Nominated by Kelly Gager
Tara Mounsey, New England Baptist Hospital
Not only does Tara lead with intention and humanity in patient interactions, but she educates other providers around her on how to deliver high-quality and compassionate care. As a new employee, Tara has guided me to understand exactly how care should be delivered in our department. She is clear with instructions and always willing to teach, which allows for all providers in the department to be on the same page, ensuring consistency and competency. Tara is a clear and strong leader, and I believe this is the first step in ensuring unwavering quality care for the patient.
Nominated by Chloe Bouchard
I work with Tara at the New England Baptist orthopedics practice every day. Tara is exceptional, kind, and compassionate to every person that she encounters, whether patient, staff, or surgeon. All of her patients leave our practice feeling that she listened to them, heard them, and is working, or worked, to deliver the best care possible. She is the liaison to the surgeons, and it’s truly remarkable how she keeps many competing priorities moving forward and with such ease. We are all lucky to have her on our side.
Nominated by Maribeth Burke
Kelly Ranjo, New England Baptist Hospital
Kelly is the embodiment of what nursing leadership should be: caring, compassionate, and clinically exceptional. As a nurse manager, she leads not from a place of authority alone, but from deep empathy, integrity, and unwavering commitment to both her patients and her staff. Her clinical intelligence is evident in every decision she makes — she consistently balances operational demands with patient-centered priorities, ensuring the highest standards of safe, evidence-based care.
What distinguishes Kelly most is her profound dedication to advocacy. She is a steadfast voice for patients, ensuring they receive not only excellent clinical care but also dignity, respect, and understanding. Equally important, she is a tireless advocate for her staff. She listens attentively, supports professional growth, and creates an environment where nurses feel valued, heard, and empowered.
During times of significant organizational change, Kelly’s quiet yet powerful leadership has been a stabilizing force. She maintains her team’s resilience through steady guidance and genuine compassion. Rather than seeking recognition, she consistently elevates others — celebrating their achievements, mentoring emerging leaders, and fostering a culture of collaboration and trust.
Kelly’s commitment to nursing is both profound and impactful. She exemplifies excellence not only in clinical practice but in human connection and servant leadership. Her influence extends far beyond daily operations; she shapes the professional lives of her staff and the healing experiences of countless patients.
Nominated by Lauren Babchuck
Margaret Vilme, New England Baptist Hospital
Margaret was my preoperative nurse before my back surgery. Margaret was incredibly kind and compassionate. Her patience and calm, steady demeanor made a stressful moment feel manageable and safe. As a nurse myself, I truly understand the skill, focus, and compassion it takes to care for each patient, and her professionalism did not go unnoticed. I’m deeply grateful for the care and reassurance she gave me, and I feel lucky to have been a patient of Margaret’s.
Nominated by Shannon McDonough
Jessica Parlon, New England Surgical Suites
Jess was my preoperative nurse who encouraged me and made me feel at ease prior to surgery. She was amazing from start to finish. She got my IV started, for the first time with no pain, and answered all my questions with kindness and compassion. She is an amazing nurse who makes her patients feel like they are the most important part of her day.
Nominated by David Von Busch
Duyen Chau, Newton-Wellesley Hospital
I am honored to nominate Duyen Chau for recognition in Salute to Nurses in appreciation of the profound compassion and healing impact she provided to a patient and family during one of the most vulnerable moments of their lives.
Duyen cared for a newborn admitted to the Special Care Nursery following a traumatic birth. For first-time parents, the neonatal intensive care unit experience was overwhelming — emotionally exhausting, frightening, and uncertain. While the clinical care across the unit was excellent, the family described Duyen as the nurse who transformed their experience from fear into trust and from isolation into comfort.
Duyen did not simply complete tasks; she formed a therapeutic relationship. She consistently went above and beyond to support both the infant and the mother. When the mother struggled emotionally with leaving her baby overnight, Duyen stayed beside her, holding her hand, reassuring her, and creating a safe space for her emotions. She recognized that healing in neonatal care extends beyond physiology — it includes emotional safety for families navigating trauma.
Across multiple shifts, Duyen treated the baby as if the child were her own while guiding the parents with patience and calm explanations. The parents shared they felt immediate relief whenever they learned Duyen would be caring for their child that day. Her presence became a source of stability during chaos.
This nomination reflects the true essence of nursing — clinical excellence combined with human connection. Because of Duyen’s compassion, the family did not just remember the stress of hospitalization; they remembered feeling supported, seen, and cared for.
For the comfort she gave and the trust she built, Duyen Chau truly embodies nursing excellence.
Nominated by Jennifer Orbeso
Cathy Daignault, Newton-Wellesley Hospital
I am honored to nominate Cathy “Dag” for the nurse of the season. She always demonstrates the highest standards of compassion, clinical competency, communication, trust, and patient advocacy. From the moment Cathy enters a room, it is clear that nursing is not just a profession, but a calling. She treats every patient with dignity, patience, and genuine kindness. Patients and families frequently express how heard, comforted, and respected they feel under her care.
Clinically, Cathy is exceptional. She combines strong assessment skills with sound judgment and attention to detail. Whether managing complex cases or recognizing subtle changes in condition, Cathy prioritizes patient safety and evidence-based practice.
Communication is one of Cathy’s strengths. She collaborates seamlessly with physicians, patients, and families. Cathy speaks up when something needs collaboration, ensures concerns are addressed promptly, and always places the patient’s best interest first.
Cathy “Dag” embodies what it means to be an outstanding nurse — compassionate, skilled, and deeply dependable for those in her care.
Nominated by Christine Lydon
Pamela Ellsworth-Gaulin, Newton-Wellesley Hospital
Pam was caring for an elderly patient who had elected to go home on hospice. A few hours shy of the patient being discharged, she showed sudden signs of respiratory distress, and Pam escalated her concerns and advocated for her patient’s comfort. A difficult decision was made to transfer to a hospital-based comfort approach, and Pam stayed well beyond her shift to hold her patient’s hand as she said goodbye. This is just one example of the compassionate and patient-centered care that Pam provides over and over again, and our patients are very lucky to have her.
Nominated by Lucia Kelleher
Vanessa White, North Shore Community Health
As an 11-year veteran of North Shore Community Health, Vanessa exemplifies the very best of nursing — combining deep clinical expertise with a level of compassion and advocacy that profoundly impacts every patient and family she cares for.
Vanessa’s clinical competency is exceptional. She approaches each patient with a meticulous, thoughtful assessment and anticipates needs in a way that consistently elevates the quality and safety of care. Colleagues frequently rely on her steady judgment, her ability to care for patients with very complex needs, and her kindness in difficult moments. Vanessa’s resilience is remarkable, and she lives in “the gray” of using her critical thinking and connections to help meet patient care needs that there are no algorithms for.
What truly distinguishes Vanessa, however, is the compassion she brings to every interaction. She sees each patient as a whole person, not just a diagnosis. Whether she is sitting at the bedside offering reassurance, navigating a difficult conversation with a family, or advocating for a patient whose voice needs to be heard, Vanessa leads with empathy. Her ability to connect with patients builds trust immediately — she is a go-to for many patients and known for helping patients feel safe and get connected to care while navigating complex barriers.
As a celebrated director of care management, Vanessa is also a dedicated and humble leader whose knowledge and insights are sought out by providers and patients alike. She ensures patients and families understand their plan of care, invites their questions, and partners with them so they feel informed and supported. Her colleagues appreciate her clarity, commitment, and the way she makes even the busiest days feel manageable through her teamwork and grace.
In every sense, Vanessa is a tireless patient advocate. She is the first to speak up when something doesn’t align with a patient’s wishes, when a barrier needs to be removed, or when a vulnerable patient needs an extra layer of support. Her dedication ensures that every patient receives the dignity, respect, and attention they deserve.
Vanessa embodies the heart of nursing. Her compassion, clinical excellence, and unwavering advocacy make her not only an outstanding nurse, but a deeply trusted presence for patients, families, and colleagues.
Nominated by Cheralyn Johnson
Renee Bouchard, Bayberry at Emerald Court, Northbridge Communities
I love all the nurses, but especially Renee Bouchard. I have been cared for by Renee for several years, and she has always made sure I have a voice in my care and that I am treated with respect and dignity. I am old, but I am still able to take care of myself, and she makes me feel like I can still do things by myself instead of making me feel old. She is always there when I need her. I wish everyone had a nurse like Renee.
Nominated by Evelyn Climo
Carrie Hayes, Avita of Newburyport, Northbridge Communities
It is rare to find a leader who carries the heart of an entire community within her own, but Carrie does exactly that every single day at Avita of Newburyport. As our resident care director, she doesn’t just manage a department, she nurtures a family. The difference Carrie makes is felt in the smallest, most meaningful details. She has an incredible ability to know every resident by name, understanding not just their care needs, but their histories, preferences, and the families who love them.
This personal connection extends to her staff as well. She leads with a rare empathy that makes every employee feel seen, supported, and valued. Carrie is the embodiment of dedication and loyalty. She gives unselfishly of her time, often going far beyond what is expected to ensure that every resident feels safe and every family member feels at peace. Her work isn’t just a job, it is a calling.
To describe Carrie as loving is an understatement. She brings a warmth to our community that transforms it into a home. We are profoundly grateful for her steady hand and her giant heart. Quite simply, she is truly the best, and we are so lucky to have her.
Nominated by Pat Foran
Stephanie Costello, Northeast Arc–Clinical Services
We are incredibly grateful for Stephanie. She is the home care nurse for two of our children. She has provided excellent care for them for several years. She has the perfect balance of compassion and structure to help our kids stay as healthy as possible. She knows our boys so well and gives great advice when they experience medical challenges. Stephanie is also fun to talk to and makes time to have fun with both boys while providing care.
In addition to taking great care of the boys, she has been an excellent support to us as parents. It can be very difficult parenting medically complex children, and having someone to ask questions and get advice from makes all the difference in the world.
Nominated by Bethany Adams
Bridey Nolan, Northeast Arc–Clinical Services
I am writing to nominate Bridey for recognition for the extraordinary care she provides to my son, William.
William is 11 years old and has Dravet syndrome, a severe and unpredictable form of epilepsy. Bridey has cared for him in our home for the past year, starting when he was 10. Having a nurse in our home is an incredibly personal experience, and Bridey has become a steady and reassuring presence in our family’s daily life.
She brings extensive intensive care unit experience into our home, but what stands out most is how thoughtfully she applies that knowledge to William as an individual. Some days, he seizes frequently and needs constant monitoring. Bridey stays right by his side, carefully observing, adjusting his care, and responding to his needs as they change throughout the day. She takes her role very seriously and consistently provides care with both precision and compassion.
When we were new to G-tube feeding, Bridey guided us with confidence and care. She has suggested meaningful changes to feeding schedules, positioning, equipment, and daily routines that have truly improved William’s comfort and quality of life. She follows up after her shifts, communicates clearly, and advocates for William in ways that make us feel supported and confident in his care.
Beyond her clinical skill, Bridey brings joy into our home. On William’s hardest days, she can still make him smile. She will sit with him, sing along to the same show for the hundredth time, and meet him exactly where he is.
My son is safer, happier, and better cared for because of Bridey. We are incredibly grateful to have her.
Nominated by Bridget Newton
Susan Burchill, Orchard Gardens K-8 Pilot School
Many of the children and their parents at the Orchard Gardens Pilot School in Roxbury would describe Susan Burchill as an extremely dedicated and hardworking medical provider. Her almost three-decade career in school nursing and her second field of psychiatric medication management are a true testament to the love of her work, the competency of her skills, and the dedication she has to her students and their extended families.
Her students trust her to take care of them. In this day and age, it is so much more than taking a temperature or putting on a Band-Aid. Life can be complicated for many of these school children and “Nurse Sue” has been, and always will be, there for the children of Boston that she serves every school day of every school year.
Nominated by Eileen Bevivino-Lawton
Jessica Wisocky, Pathway to Better Health
Jessica is the first health care provider who ever made me feel safe in my own skin, and her compassion, clinical excellence, and unwavering advocacy have changed the course of my life.
When I first came to Pathway to Better Health, I carried years of medical trauma, stigma, and fear. I expected judgment. Instead, Jess looked me in the eye, called me by my name, and treated me like a whole person — not a diagnosis or a burden. For the first time, my health, identity, and future felt like they mattered.
Her compassion is active and life-altering. During a severe housing shortage, she advocated relentlessly until I secured safe, stable housing. When my insurance denied Zepbound, she refused to accept a no, appealed on my behalf, and ensured I received the treatment that finally helped me lose weight after years of trying. She connected me with Community Servings so I could access nutritious meals that supported my medical goals.
Jess’s expertise in sexual health and HIV treatment is extraordinary. She introduced me to long-acting injectable Cabenuva, offering not just medication but peace of mind. As one of the first providers in the Merrimack Valley to bring Apretude and Cabenuva to our community, she expanded access to care many of us never thought we’d have locally. During the 2022 mpox outbreak, she helped establish a local screening and treatment site, showing up calm and steady when fear was everywhere.
Her impact extends beyond individual patients. She leads monthly Chroma Wellness Sessions, supports the LGBTQ+ community with fierce dedication, and works tirelessly toward a future community center.
Because of Jess, I am healthier, more confident, and no longer afraid to seek care. She is a lifeline, a protector, and a champion — and she deserves this honor.
Nominated by Jon Deacon
Gail Monfils, Reach Inc.
Gail is a registered nurse who works with intellectually and physically disabled adults who reside in Reach group homes. My sister is one of these residents.
Gail is very involved with the residents. She is a strong advocate for them. She is aware of the challenges that accompany disability. In the years I have interacted with her, Gail has been caring and has always been available when my sister has a medical problem. She has called me on her days off or at late hours when my sister has had a medical crisis. She is quick to inform the family of any updates in her condition and visits my sister when she is hospitalized. She has made suggestions to help make life a little easier for my sister.
My sister and the other residents under her care are very fortunate to have a devoted nurse like Gail.
Nominated by Marcia Pitts
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