Lauren has been a champion of finding ways to improve the quality of life for the brain tumor population and also serves as a mentor for the nursing staff in the Tumor Division. She has spearheaded Quality initiatives and organized patient events such as the Brain Tumor Symposium, Brain Tumor Patient Awareness Night at the Phillies, The Brain Tumor Webinar Series, and a Brain Tumor Support Group: Patient/Caregiver Appreciation meet and greet. She has also authored the Jefferson Neuroscience Brain Tumor Brochure and serves as the Brain Tumor Support Group Leader. As a provider, she is outstanding and provides excellent care to the brain tumor population by coordinating or engaging in collaboration with other members of the team to improve patient outcomes and access to care, as well as identify potential barriers to care. She was instrumental in providing evidence for a social worker position in our department. This is an example of how her efforts have improved the quality of care for the brain tumor population at Jefferson.

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I'm writing on behalf of a CRNP in our practice, Lauren Barbieri, who functions as an advanced practice provider giving care to patients undergoing neurosurgery and subsequent treatment for various neurological conditions, primarily brain tumors. I have worked with Lauren for the past 16 months and have observed her tireless commitment to giving exceptional care to these patients, most of whom are at the onset of their brain cancer journey and dealing with the worst news of their lives. Lauren is compassionate, kind, patient, and empathetic, and she always makes herself available, even on days off, to help the patients and staff RNs make educated decisions about treatment and their care. If the nursing staff ever has an issue, she takes immediate control, makes plans, and executes them with supreme competence. Our patients love and trust her as they would their neurosurgeon and/or oncologist, which says so much about her professionally and interpersonally. Not only does she go above and beyond for the patients we serve, but she also cares deeply about our practice and the well-being of the nurses who work with her. She cares about our experience working at Jefferson and has helped our department grow immensely. She advocated for a social worker who works only with our patient population, which was a great need as these patients struggle not only physically with their condition but emotionally, and worked alongside the administration to hire one. She facilitates our monthly brain tumor support group, often rearranging her own schedule (while raising two young children) to be there for the patients after work hours. She single-handedly organized and promoted an incredible Jefferson turnout for the Race for Hope, which took place at the Navy Yard on 10/14/23, and helped us connect and show support for our patients on a deeper level than just point of service care. She also developed a giving program in December this year that has allowed us to adopt a family at CHOP who has a child diagnosed with brain cancer and is in great financial need. She is constantly devising ways to improve the lives of her patients, her coworkers, and everyone around her. I cannot think of a more deserving individual than Lauren. She is a true DAISY Nurse. 

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Lauren is a team leader who, besides her role as a provider, also leads our brain tumor division in so many other ways as well. Lauren has gone above and beyond for our patients and team. Recently, she involved our team with the Race for Hope for brain tumor patients and families. She organized the tables, giveaways, shirts, volunteers, etc. She also volunteers her time to run a brain tumor support group every month. For the holidays, she facilitated adopting a family with a child that has brain cancer, which we all will help make this child's holiday a little more special. She is always willing to see any patient anytime to help facilitate proper care for each patient as if they were her own family. Lauren goes out of her way to help patients, caregivers, and staff. She brings knowledge, empathy, and compassion every single day.

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Lauren is an exceptional nurse practitioner. She advocates for her patients and always has their best interests at heart. She goes above and beyond for Team Tumor. She continues to initiate quality improvement projects within our division. We are so lucky to have Lauren on our team!

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Lauren goes above and beyond to better patient care and experience in the Neurosurgery Dept at Jeff. She has also helped with brain tumor support groups and the Race for Hope this year!