Brooke received three nominations:
For Role Modeling Compassionate Care
Brooke joined the CICU about two years ago and since then, she's brought a contagiously compassionate attitude to our unit that makes us all want to go above and beyond for our patients. Rarely, she is seen outside of her patient's room- caring for each and every need and often times, just spending time in there to chat with the patient. By the end of a shift, Brooke usually knows a patient's whole life story. She provides the same enthusiastic energy every day, never tiring even through the pandemic. She quickly became a zoom expert and never hesitates to get the team involved for patient-family meetings. Her patient-centric care gives patients and families peace of mind, knowing Brooke is deeply dedicated to their journey. The CICU and YNHH as a whole are lucky to have a nurse like Brooke who creates a caring environment everywhere she goes.
For Making a Special Connection:
I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing one of the most significant and organic connections a healthcare worker has made with a patient through Brooke. She had taken care of a young woman who was waiting for a heart transplant on CICU during the Covid-19 pandemic. She sat, patiently waiting on our unit for a second chance at life, away from family and friends and only in the comfort and care of strangers. Brooke refused to let herself be a stranger to this woman. She got to personally know her, asking her daily about her hobbies and interests. It came across that the patient was, by her own description, a “die-hard Kane Brown fan”. Brooke logged that memory and returned to work and gave this patient the gift of a lifetime. She was able to give the patient a signed album from Kane Brown. Never in my life have I witnessed a patient show such visceral happiness and excitement, especially in her situation. This patient listened to that album in her ICU room every single day until she received her heart transplant. Brooke significantly altered this woman’s experience just by forming that seemingly small connection that turned out to be so moving for this patient. It was a true honor to witness.

For Making a Significant Difference:
Recently, Brooke took care of an acutely ill patient with little hope for recovery. She did so much for the patient and family, dedicating herself to providing care above and beyond what is described and taught in any nurse, physician, textbook, or classroom. If there was a change in the patient's status, she made it a priority to call any of the five consulting attending involved- whether or not that may mean calling them at home. She was the catalyst for starting conversations with family regarding goals of care and realistic expectations. She made countless calls to the girlfriend and sons- sometimes face timing with family for over an hour multiple times a day. Brooke demonstrated incredible compassion, physical and mental strength thus proving there is no single individual who had a greater impact on the patient's care than her.