Skip to contents
In This Issue:
Barbara J. “BJ” Donovan-DeVitt, RN, BSN
Barbara J. “BJ” Donovan-DeVitt, RN, BSN, a 25-year BWH employee, passed away on July 7 at the age of 52. She was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer in February.
“BJ was a BWH-lifer,” said Sue DeVeuve, RN of the Cardiac Diagnostic and Interventional Center, a close friend of Donovan-DeVitt. “BWH was BJ's home away from home. She had a huge heart of gold and a deep sense of compassion for all people, especially her patients, their families and fellow staff. We will surely miss her quick wit and companionship.”
Donovan-DeVitt began at BWH in October 1980 as a nurse-in-charge in Cardiac Surgery. In this position, she oversaw care of New England's first and second patients ever to receive heart transplants. After working at Children's Hospital for two years, Donovan-DeVitt returned to BWH in 1988 as a staff nurse in the Cardiac Diagnostic and Interventional Center. She served as the center's flow manager from 1999 to 2001, spent two years as nurse program manager in Neuroradiology, and then became the cardiac access coordinator in 2003.
A resident of Weston, Donovan-Devitt volunteered for the Weston Elder Services and helped with school nursing in the town's public schools. She is survived by her husband Douglas J. DeVitt; one daughter, Alexandra J. DeVitt; her mother Miriam J. Donovan; one brother; three sisters; and four nieces and nephews.