The first recipients of the Mary S. Fay (pictured below, far left), RN, MS Enrichment Award presented their project outcomes on May 29. Established by Yousuf and Estrelita Karsh, this award recognizing the importance of compassionate nursing care in the recovery and well being of patients. It encourages BWH nurses to visit other care-giving settings and to observe how care is delivered in other locations. Through the generosity of the Karsh’s and Marshall Wolf, MD, three projects were funded in 2000.
Gabriele Harrison, (pictured, far right) RN, BSN, participated in the Intensive Bioethics Course at the Kennedy Institute of Ethics at Georgetown University to gain insight and academic resources in bioethics. With the help of BWH’s Ethics Committee, Harrison has since developed “Shades of Grey,” a lecture and discussion class on ethical nursing practice in the NICU. Harrison has also organized a series on respect for family diversity and continues to present the lecture “Redefining Perfect—Stories from the NICU.”
William Briggs, RN, MSN, CEN and Nicki Gilboy, RN, MS, CEN participated in the Disney Institute program, “The Disney Approach to Quality Service.” The seminar provided concepts and a framework to develop an action plan to expand the customer service efforts of the emergency department.
Maureen Allen (pictured, left), RN, BSN and Kathleen Howard, RN, BSN traveled to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston, TX and Rush-Presbyterian Hospital in Chicago, IL to observe the hospitals’ breastfeeding programs. Since their tours, they have started to modify the BWH program. They are changing practices in the NICU breastfeeding program with the use of nipple shields, developing new documentation tools for breastfeeding premature infants, creating a support group for mothers and participating in a multi-site study of new technology for pumping breast milk.
During the program, Estrelita Karsh (pictured, right) remarked that the mantra of the award is “Bring it back to the Brigham. Wherever you go, whatever you learn, bring it back to the Brigham.” All of the recipients brought back exceptional suggestions and innovations to improve care at the hospital.