A legacy of caring- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
A legacy of caring- BWH Bulletin - For and about the People of Brigham and Women's Hospital
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December 10, 1999
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In This Issue:
Real-life Santas
A legacy of caring
BWH is Y2K ready
Partners in Excellence Awards
Sharing holiday traditions
PIKE NOTES
Needle Safety Week
Manson honored by Women's Health Leadership Forum
For the third time in his career, roofer Jerry Nash has fallen off of a roof while on the job. This time, though, he has broken his left elbow and is receiving care at BWH. While resting in his room on Tower 16A recently, a familiar voice comes from the doorway. "Jerry, dear, how are you feeling today?" asks Miriam Walsh, RN, nurse manager, Orthopedics, a warm smile on her face, her Irish brogue adding to her friendly demeanor. It turns out that the two had met years before through a mutual acquaintance. With the same brogue lacing his voice, Nash says he feels fine but is anxious to get back to work. The two talk for some time about their native Ireland and about family and mutual friends. It is her individual attention to patients amid her full schedule of commitments that makes Walsh standout at BWH and is one of the reasons why she will be missed. With 35 years at BWH to her credit, Walsh is retiring on December 17. "After so many years, Miriam Walsh, RN it's just time," Walsh said. "I'm going to Ireland for three weeks after I leave and I'm looking forward to relaxing a bit." Relaxing is one thing that Walsh has done little of since being recruited to one of the BWH predecessor institutions, the Robert Breck Brigham Hospital, in 1964. Having worked in hospitals in Ireland and London in orthopedics, coming to the RBBH was a natural fit because the hospital specialized in orthopedic care. Walsh said she chose nursing because, at the time, women in their late teens in Ireland were either a bank teller, teacher, or nurse. Nursing appealed to her because of the opportunity to provide care. Since coming to BWH, she has been involved with the 22-year-old Nurses Health Study and numerous care improvement and professional development efforts. Thomas Thornhill, MD, chairman, Orthopedics, said Walsh was essential in developing the Orthopedic nursing specialty at the hospital, adding that her efforts reinforced the professional nature of the position. "Miriam is an amazing person who always has time for patients no matter how busy," Thornhill said. "She has never wavered on her commitment to patient care. She will be sorely missed by all of her colleagues and staff." Mary Fay, RN, MS, vice president, Nursing, agreed, saying Walsh's contributions to BWH will be felt long after she has left. "I know the hospital as a whole has come to depend on her efforts in hiring and developing nurses from diverse backgrounds, and her success in that area has been a model for us all to emulate." In recognition of Walsh's efforts, Fay recently announced the creation of the Miriam Walsh Minority Nurse Mentorship Award, which will be given annually to a minority nurse who has demonstrated a commitment to mentoring others. The award will provide financial aid to the winner's educational development. For her part, Walsh takes such kudos in stride, saying she has always just done her job. "It's all about the patients and their needs. Nursing is becoming more and more complex and nurses are more involved in a patient's care than ever before. I'm going to miss that contact with patients and the tremendous people I have worked with throughout the years." A reception for Walsh will be held on Tuesday, December 14, from 2:30 to 4 p.m. in the solarium on Connors (CWN) 6.