This year’s awardees and their projects
Caryn Douma, RN
Eileen Salmanson, LICSW
Patricia Ormsby, RN, has been a BWH staff nurse for 35 years. When transitioning to the Emergency Department in the 1970s, Ormsby knew there would be many learning opportunities ahead of her. What she didn’t’ know was that one in particular would define the next 20 years of her career in nursing.
One holiday morning in 1975 Ormsby was the first nurse to encounter a rape victim who arrived at BWH’s ED. Ormbsy found herself questioning what the best plan of care was for this troubled patient. This initial thirst for knowledge soon transformed into a life-long passion.
While 20 years ago Ormsby was searching for answers, now she is the one instructing caregivers and safety personnel across the state on how to be first responders to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. Building upon many years of outreach, including involvement in grant projects, volunteer appointments and numerous positions as a training expert for rape investigators and medical providers, Ormsby’s latest challenge is improving education right here at BWH. As a 2002 Thomson Compassionate Care Scholar, she will be applying funds to develop pocket guides for physicians and nurses in the ED. These pamphlets will provide guidelines and protocol to help direct the care of patients who are victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence.
Ormbsy was one of six 2002 Dennis Thomson Compassionate Scholars who were honored on June 19. Three other nurses were selected as recipients of this special award – a tribute to the leadership BWH nurses provide in serving as model compassionate caregivers.
The Dennis Thomson Compassionate Care Scholar program, now in its third year, has become an important opportunity to recognize caregivers for their focus on providing compassionate care under the most challenging of circumstances. Recipients of the scholarship received a plaque, a special pin identifying them as a Compassionate Care Scholar and $500 to fund their proposed projects.
The Dennis J. Thomson Compassionate Care Scholars program bears the name of BWH’s late vice president of Public Affairs, whose commitment to the ideals of compassionate care continues to resonate throughout the hospital. The program provides a foundation for future efforts and a forum for the sharing of best practices.