I would like to nominate Deb Pomeroy, RN MSW Psychosocial Clinician, Women’s Services & Maynard Children’s Hospital. Deb Pomeroy is a nurse with numerous years of experience in obstetrics, pediatrics, and hospice care for adults and children. Her nursing career has truly covered the lifespan. She felt a calling to learn more in order to provide therapy for patients and families and returned to school. She received her MSW a couple of years ago and joined VMC full-time in February 2020.

Deb has always embodied compassion in the care she delivers. The degree of compassion she provides is unmatched. Deb is often working with patients and their families at their most vulnerable and often heart-broken times. Whether providing therapy and support for a mother who has a stillbirth, a family whose baby or child just passed away in NICU or PICU, or a family who is dealing with abuse – physical or emotional, Deb is there to provide support along each step of the journey.

Deb is the biggest patient advocate and helps staff and providers to understand the emotional components of a patient. A recent patient in L&D exhibits Deb’s expertise, compassion, teamwork, patient advocacy, communication, and high standards. Recently, a 41+ weeks pregnant patient was brought in to L&D Triage via EMS following a provider requested wellness visit to the patient’s home. The patient denied being pregnant and has a significant psychiatric diagnosis. Deb was called to L&D Triage to work with the patient who needed a repeat C-section. Deb developed a rapport with the patient, who exhibit psychotic symptoms. Through a series of events including a BERT call when the patient first arrived, the patient attempted to exit the building and was secured and brought back to L&D Triage. Deb was a huge advocate for the patient and her guardian through the rest of the day and into the late night. The patient delivered via C-section and Deb continued providing support throughout the hospitalization.

This patient example above is just one instance of Deb’s expertise, compassion, teamwork, advocacy, and communication. Throughout every unit in W&C, there is a multitude of examples of Deb going above and beyond to meet the needs of patients and families. She spends her workdays providing therapy and care to patients who are dealing with extremely desperate life circumstances. Patients and families unload much grief, despair, loneliness, sadness, and vulnerabilities with Deb. She works with the staff to best interact with patients who have these experiences. Through the pandemic, Deb has led virtual support groups for families experiencing postpartum depression or loss. The providers, staff, leadership, and ancillary team members seek out Deb for guidance, assistance, and patient consults. We are so fortunate Deb is a part of Women’s and Children’s Hospital.