May 11, 2007

"Salute to Nurses" of OR 36: The voices for burn patients

Despite the intense environment in MGH Operating Room (OR) 36, the hospital's burn OR, the staff there smiles due in large part to the spirit of the unit's four core nurses — Terry Leddy-Fitzgerald, RN; Elizabeth Viano, RN; Ann Doig, RN; and Linda Bracey, RN (left). The nurses were featured in the fifth annual BostonWorks "Salute to Nurses" publication, a special supplement of the May 6 Boston Globe.

The women were selected as honorees from more than 200 nominees from throughout New England for their demonstrated compassion, competency, communication and clinical skills. Nominated by Colleen M. Ryan, MD, surgeon for the MGH Burn Service and co-director of the Sumner Redstone Burn Center, Viano, Bracey, Leddy-Fitzgerald and Doig were described as "invisible heroes."

"In OR 36, what the patient sees is their thoroughness and kindness," says Ryan. "No matter their condition or walk of life, the patients are treated with the utmost respect and professionalism. These nurses are unsung heroes who provide extraordinary care with grace, empathy and compassion to people in the most
desperate of situations."

The four nurses describe their work as challenging yet greatly rewarding. They agree that the bonds and camaraderie that they have developed have kept them together in the Burn Service for more than 30 years combined. "We really consider ourselves a family," says Viano. Leddy-Fitzgerald agrees, saying, "There's a tight bond among the nurses, surgeons and anesthesia team. We respect one another for the work that each does. The surgeons ask our opinions about treatments and truly consider our input."

Dedication to their patients is their first priority. Doig's care extends well beyond the patients' clinical needs and includes brushing their teeth, washing their hair and taking care of the patients in ways they cannot themselves. Bracey says about their work, "When the patients arrive, they may be intubated and sedated, but they can hear. We are the voices for our patients who can't speak for themselves."

Viano, Bracey, Leddy-Fitzgerald and Doig joined their nursing colleagues from across New England at a breakfast event May 9 celebrating all of the honorees, as well as the nursing profession, at the Westin Copley Hotel.