June 2026 Honoree
Andrea Peirce, MSN, RN
Following my open-heart aortic valve replacement, I spent time in a transitional care bed feeling exhausted and depleted after a long illness. Physically and emotionally, I had very little left to give. It was during this difficult time that I met Andrea Peirce.
Andrea brought immediate comfort and reassurance, and her understanding of what I was going through gave her a unique ability to connect with me. She explained complex information in a way that was easy to understand and helped me recognize that recovery is a process that takes time. I still remember her words: “You may be healed on the outside, but you're still healing on the inside.”
She would demonstrate proper movement techniques, saying, “Keep your elbows close to your body—pretend they are in a tube,” while showing me exactly what she meant. She reassured me that discomfort during activity did not mean I was harming myself and gave me confidence to keep moving forward.
Andrea gave me hope and confidence in my recovery. During a particularly challenging period marked by sleepless nights, frustration, and broken hearing aids that made even simple tasks such as ordering food difficult, Andrea was a constant source of support. She never seemed inconvenienced by my requests and was always ready to help with kindness and patience. Whether assisting with meals, helping me walk, or simply offering encouragement, she often anticipated my needs before I had to ask.
What stood out most was Andrea’s ability to balance compassion with motivation. She provided the reassurance I needed while gently pushing me to keep progressing toward recovery. Her care made a profound difference during one of the most difficult times in my life. I feel truly fortunate to have had Andrea as part of my care team, and Mayo Clinic is fortunate to have someone with her skill, empathy, and dedication caring for patients.
Andrea brought immediate comfort and reassurance, and her understanding of what I was going through gave her a unique ability to connect with me. She explained complex information in a way that was easy to understand and helped me recognize that recovery is a process that takes time. I still remember her words: “You may be healed on the outside, but you're still healing on the inside.”
She would demonstrate proper movement techniques, saying, “Keep your elbows close to your body—pretend they are in a tube,” while showing me exactly what she meant. She reassured me that discomfort during activity did not mean I was harming myself and gave me confidence to keep moving forward.
Andrea gave me hope and confidence in my recovery. During a particularly challenging period marked by sleepless nights, frustration, and broken hearing aids that made even simple tasks such as ordering food difficult, Andrea was a constant source of support. She never seemed inconvenienced by my requests and was always ready to help with kindness and patience. Whether assisting with meals, helping me walk, or simply offering encouragement, she often anticipated my needs before I had to ask.
What stood out most was Andrea’s ability to balance compassion with motivation. She provided the reassurance I needed while gently pushing me to keep progressing toward recovery. Her care made a profound difference during one of the most difficult times in my life. I feel truly fortunate to have had Andrea as part of my care team, and Mayo Clinic is fortunate to have someone with her skill, empathy, and dedication caring for patients.
Thank you, Andrea, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
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