August 2020
Deandra
Heard
,
RN
Intensive Care Unit
Medical City Lewisville
DeAndra was the kind of nurse who made it easy for others to go to work, knowing DeAndra was on shift. Her team of ICU nurses and physicians had so much respect for her, even as a young ICU nurse.
DeAndra Heard - February 15, 1992 - July 5, 2020
The news of DeAndra Heard's passing was both unexpected and tragic. Not only was she young and incredibly driven, but most importantly, she was a highly esteemed member of our ICU family. To celebrate her life and legacy, we honor her today with The DAISY Award.
DeAndra Heard, RN, joined the Medical City Lewisville ICU family in October 2019. ICU manager Courtnay Shaddox describes DeAndra as a beautiful girl with a beautiful soul. DeAndra was one of the first nurses Courtnay hired after taking the ICU manager position. Courtnay fondly remembers DeAndra's amazing transition from ICU intern to becoming her own, fully-independent critical care nurse. DeAndra was the kind of nurse who made it easy for others to go to work, knowing DeAndra was on shift. Her team of ICU nurses and physicians had so much respect for her, even as a young ICU nurse. Madeline Halsell, a faithful friend, and fellow nurse says she and DeAndra hit it off right away. When Madeline was hired in January, she and DeAndra were often scheduled together. They quickly became great friends who would meet up outside of work whenever they could. It was Madeline who organized a Go Fund Me account that raised over $11,000 towards DeAndra's medical expenses. The old adage, "a friend in need is a friend indeed," personifies DeAndra's beautiful impression left on all those who knew and loved her.
Matt Garrett, DeAndra's fiancé and boyfriend of five years, who is also a nurse, describes DeAndra as a giving, selfless, hilarious, quick-witted, smart, very loving person who always wanted to help others. Matt and DeAndra met while both working in a skilled nursing facility in 2015. DeAndra became an LVN in September 2012 and when they met, Matt was already an RN. Always driven to better herself for the sake of her family, DeAndra became an RN in June 2019 with plans underway to continue her education and obtain her BSN. Matt credits DeAndra as the one who encouraged him to go back to school to obtain his BSN.
DeAndra's Mother, Debra Heard, describes her daughter as a loving, caring person who loved music, spending time with family, and playing video games. Debra attributes DeAndra's rough childhood as the driving force behind DeAndra's passion to make a better life for herself and ultimately enter the nursing profession to help others. DeAndra became pregnant and gave birth during her senior year in high school. Determined to make a better life for her son, she worked for a couple of years after high school and then entered college to become an LVN. In April 2020, DeAndra and her ICU co-workers contributed to an Adopt a Graduating Senior social media campaign which raised $4,000. Proceeds benefitted 11 high school seniors, including two hospital employee graduates. There's no doubt that DeAndra's own senior year experience motivated her to be one of the largest contributors to this great cause. Debra also describes DeAndra as an extremely committed employee, who loved her job and always wanted to be an ICU nurse. DeAndra was always respected among her peers. Even as a young nurse, many of her former colleagues turned to her for advice, and physicians specifically asked for DeAndra to see their patients.
DeAndra is survived by her fiancé Matt, her Mother Debra, her 10-year-old son who enjoys swimming, science, and video games, her 20-year-old step-daughter (who she loved like her very own), her soon-to-be 20-year-old sister, and her 25-year-old brother Anthony. DeAndra loved her family! Her passing is especially hard for her sister as DeAndra always went above and beyond every year to celebrate her birthday.
The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 by the family of Mr. J. Patrick Barnes, age 33, who unfortunately died of complications of an auto-immune disease. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. During Pat's 8 week hospitalization, his family was awestruck by the care and compassion his nurses provided not only to Pat but to everyone in his family. So one of the goals they set in creating a Foundation in Pat's memory was to recognize Extraordinary Nurses everywhere who make an enormous difference in the lives of so many people by the super-human work they do every day. It's in the spirit of this great work that we honor DeAndra Heard with the DAISY Award. Even in death, she gave the gift of life through organ donation. We honor DeAndra's legacy as a compassionate advocate for the nursing profession, impacting and improving countless lives. We'll forever hold her in our hearts.
The news of DeAndra Heard's passing was both unexpected and tragic. Not only was she young and incredibly driven, but most importantly, she was a highly esteemed member of our ICU family. To celebrate her life and legacy, we honor her today with The DAISY Award.
DeAndra Heard, RN, joined the Medical City Lewisville ICU family in October 2019. ICU manager Courtnay Shaddox describes DeAndra as a beautiful girl with a beautiful soul. DeAndra was one of the first nurses Courtnay hired after taking the ICU manager position. Courtnay fondly remembers DeAndra's amazing transition from ICU intern to becoming her own, fully-independent critical care nurse. DeAndra was the kind of nurse who made it easy for others to go to work, knowing DeAndra was on shift. Her team of ICU nurses and physicians had so much respect for her, even as a young ICU nurse. Madeline Halsell, a faithful friend, and fellow nurse says she and DeAndra hit it off right away. When Madeline was hired in January, she and DeAndra were often scheduled together. They quickly became great friends who would meet up outside of work whenever they could. It was Madeline who organized a Go Fund Me account that raised over $11,000 towards DeAndra's medical expenses. The old adage, "a friend in need is a friend indeed," personifies DeAndra's beautiful impression left on all those who knew and loved her.
Matt Garrett, DeAndra's fiancé and boyfriend of five years, who is also a nurse, describes DeAndra as a giving, selfless, hilarious, quick-witted, smart, very loving person who always wanted to help others. Matt and DeAndra met while both working in a skilled nursing facility in 2015. DeAndra became an LVN in September 2012 and when they met, Matt was already an RN. Always driven to better herself for the sake of her family, DeAndra became an RN in June 2019 with plans underway to continue her education and obtain her BSN. Matt credits DeAndra as the one who encouraged him to go back to school to obtain his BSN.
DeAndra's Mother, Debra Heard, describes her daughter as a loving, caring person who loved music, spending time with family, and playing video games. Debra attributes DeAndra's rough childhood as the driving force behind DeAndra's passion to make a better life for herself and ultimately enter the nursing profession to help others. DeAndra became pregnant and gave birth during her senior year in high school. Determined to make a better life for her son, she worked for a couple of years after high school and then entered college to become an LVN. In April 2020, DeAndra and her ICU co-workers contributed to an Adopt a Graduating Senior social media campaign which raised $4,000. Proceeds benefitted 11 high school seniors, including two hospital employee graduates. There's no doubt that DeAndra's own senior year experience motivated her to be one of the largest contributors to this great cause. Debra also describes DeAndra as an extremely committed employee, who loved her job and always wanted to be an ICU nurse. DeAndra was always respected among her peers. Even as a young nurse, many of her former colleagues turned to her for advice, and physicians specifically asked for DeAndra to see their patients.
DeAndra is survived by her fiancé Matt, her Mother Debra, her 10-year-old son who enjoys swimming, science, and video games, her 20-year-old step-daughter (who she loved like her very own), her soon-to-be 20-year-old sister, and her 25-year-old brother Anthony. DeAndra loved her family! Her passing is especially hard for her sister as DeAndra always went above and beyond every year to celebrate her birthday.
The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 by the family of Mr. J. Patrick Barnes, age 33, who unfortunately died of complications of an auto-immune disease. DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune System. During Pat's 8 week hospitalization, his family was awestruck by the care and compassion his nurses provided not only to Pat but to everyone in his family. So one of the goals they set in creating a Foundation in Pat's memory was to recognize Extraordinary Nurses everywhere who make an enormous difference in the lives of so many people by the super-human work they do every day. It's in the spirit of this great work that we honor DeAndra Heard with the DAISY Award. Even in death, she gave the gift of life through organ donation. We honor DeAndra's legacy as a compassionate advocate for the nursing profession, impacting and improving countless lives. We'll forever hold her in our hearts.