7 North staff nurse receives DAISY Award

Brigham and Women’s Faulkner Hospital’s Department of Nursing recently honored 7 North staff nurse Heidi Duran, BSN, RN, with a DAISY Award. 

Duran was nominated by a grateful patient who wrote in his nomination letter:

The day after my second shoulder surgery was the most painful day in my 46 years and the only time a complete stranger became a cherished friend in a matter of 8 hours. This stranger was my nurse Heidi Duran, who I’ve since found out was working per diem on the 7 South floor. I am not very religious, but given that fact, somebody was certainly looking out for me that day. That morning, Heidi was assigned a guy and his girlfriend who weren’t prepared for a hospital overnight stay, couldn’t find the right mix of medicines, couldn’t manage restroom needs, were sick of dealing with a broken shoulder for 6 weeks and were challenged with a pinched elbow nerve. From the first greeting, Heidi said, “I won’t give up until I solve this. Don’t worry.” Amazing. It was the worst of days, but Heidi, often literally, held our hands through the whole ordeal. She was a teacher, a caretaker and a friend. And a complete rockstar. By the end, we all agreed that she did exactly as she promised she would do. In her shift, she solved it all, and walked me through on the whiteboard what was needed to proceed after she left. My girlfriend and I were so sad to see her go, but thrilled to see on the BWFH tv screen an opportunity to nominate her for the DAISY Award. She made such an impact on us that I can’t imagine how many more lives she impacts each 8 hour shift. Thanks so much to Heidi and thanks for your consideration of her for this award!

Duran was presented with her DAISY Award by members of nursing leadership, members of the Nursing Professional Recognition and Advancement Committee and her supportive co-workers. “To brighten a moment in the life of a patient is the reason for everything I do,” she says. “It is a privilege and an honor to call myself a nurse. Thank you very much for this award, it is a tribute to all nurses everywhere!”

The DAISY Award, established by the DAISY Foundation, is named in memory of J. Patrick Barnes who died at the age of 33 from Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), an auto-immune disease. The Barnes Family was inspired by the care that Patrick received and established this unique program to recognize and thank the nurses nationwide who make a profound difference in the lives of their patients and families. 

To learn more about the DAISY Foundation, visit daisyfoundation.org.

BWFH DAISY nurses consistently demonstrate excellence through their clinical expertise and extraordinarily compassionate care. They are recognized as outstanding role models in our nursing community and make a profound difference in the lives of their patients and their family members. Patients, visitors, nurses, physicians and employees may nominate a deserving nurse by completing a nomination online.