Brite Lites

The Brite Lite employee recognition program was launched in 2002, and highlights five employees who have gone above and beyond their everyday duties to make the patients and families with whom they come into contact feel safe, important, and well cared for.

Brite Lites are selected as those who best exemplify Brown University Health's C.A.R.E values at Hasbro Children’s: Compassion, Accountability, Respect and Excellence.

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Congratulations to Our 2024 Brite Lites

Patients and their families salute Hasbro Children's's Brite Lites.

Kristen Gallagher, RN

Compassion: Briana is an 8-year-old, severely disabled, full assist child who just had a bilateral femoral osteotomy four days prior, as well as a head full of gunk from the EEG we had just completed. The previous day, Briana had thrown up EVERYWHERE, including on her Newport Brace. The previous nurse had never worked with this type of brace and had to call around for some guidance. Watching her and the others try to do the best they could with unfamiliar territory was mortifying. Fast forward to the next shift when Kristen shows up and I could instantly tell I was going to love her. She was a true guiding light. She was a pro with this brace and could sense the fear in us when it came to handling her. She must double as a professional confidence builder because just a few hours later, I giddily skipped out to her desk to tell her I changed my daughter without any help. She built up our confidence so high, I felt like I could manage things like a pro.

Accountability: As I previously mentioned, Briana had already been there for four days with a head full of gunk. Kristen was the only nurse to suggest a bed bath. Knowing her way around the brace, she showed us how to give her a bath and do it quickly without irritating my daughter (who has a MAJOR meltdown anytime her hair is touched). Before that, I honestly had no clue how to do that efficiently. Once again, she keeps building that confidence and teaching us her ways. She made an intimidating process seem so effortless.  She also stayed right on top of Briana's pain meds, making sure she didn't have to suffer more than she needed to.

Respect: Briana is nonverbal, so her communication is typically through me and how I read her body language. Kristen listened diligently to all my concerns and proceeded to care accordingly. She made me feel like I wasn't just some overbearing mom. We had 12 hours together, so during that time I shared some of the things my (severely disabled) daughter has done in her life so she could see her as a person rather than a patient, as well as all the advocating we both do for our special needs families and community. She was genuinely grateful for all we have done, and it was refreshing hearing that as I've been pretty burnt out by it, and most of my work is behind the scenes.

Excellence: Kristen was such a pro handling Briana in her Newport Brace. Our previous nurses didn't know much about it, and would be in and out for vitals and/or meds. Kristen was all up in there from the moment we met her until the moment she left, making sure she was clean and comfortable and that we were comfortable in handling her. I can't even express how my mood instantly changed and my fear quickly dissolved. She was seriously such a breath of fresh air. We joked about getting her number to FaceTime if we needed to re-up that confidence once we're home, but in all seriousness I totally would have if she were willing! Haha.

Additional Comments: Having a nurse who was familiar with this type of surgery as well as the brace made all the difference in the world. She said she's been there for 23 (or 25?) years so just imagine how many more lives she's changed. She is a HUGE asset to your hospital as well as a great asset to the Special Needs community with all that I've seen her do with and for my daughter. We told her several times how grateful we are for her, and I hope you do the same. She should definitely be assigned to families having the same procedure as she is seriously the light at the end of the tunnel.

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Margaret Scheffler, MD, Physician, Pediatric Critical Care

Compassion: My son had a brain injury last April and Dr. Scheffler immediately made an impression in me when she came to the PICU attempting to create a calm atmosphere. She offered a hug and comforting words when we needed it the most. Not only that, during our three-week stay at the PICU, she often made it a point to communicate clearly with us, his parents, to encourage us when he was making progress. I remember one night when she took her time to sit down with me and draw on my notebook to clearly explain the possibility of getting a tracheotomy. She is the type of worker that walks the extra mile.

Accountability:  I heard her speak with the team directing them to be on top of everything so my son's chance of survival was optimized. That made me feel encouraged that my son might make it, which he did.

Respect: They were always careful about giving him privacy in terms of cleaning him up.

Excellence: Dr. Scheffler and the rest of the team were on top of their care; my husband and I felt like we could leave anytime because my son was under the best care.  

Additional Comments: Dr. Scheffler also took her time to check on my son when he came back for an angiogram procedure four months later when he was already discharged. I appreciated her time and walking the extra mile.

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Laura Cioe, Family Advocate, Patient and Family Centered Care

Compassion: With being a pretty regular medical family, we are aware of how wonderful all staff are in Hasbro. We have been in ED a few times the last few months. We know how busy especially during sick season the ED can get. We witnessed Laura Cioe, non-stop running about helping all those waiting. She checked in with us multiple times. Laura was passing out water to us and other families whom have been waiting for hours on end. She would help other nurses find the families who were getting called to come back, making sure they heard their name over the noise of a busy overcrowded room.

Accountability: Laura was very accountable with following through with any support or request. Laura noticed our daughter coloring off and that she was shivering, she came back to her with a warm blanket. Just that follow through to help comfort a child and family when they were in an uncomfortable spot, made our daughter feel that she has not been forgotten about. During one of her check-ins with Paige, Paige was complaining about her IV spot hurting. Laura helped advocate for Paige for the RN to check the IV site while they were in taking the vitals. 

Respect: Knowing my child was u#Topncomfortable and in pain, she would validate Paige's feelings and discomfort. She understood Paige and her level of understanding. She answered Paige's 1,000 questions. She listened to Paige and always addressed her with so much respect.

Excellence: Laura made sure I was taking care of myself as a parent and that I had something to eat and drink. She knew I was here since 1 a.m. and it was already passed breakfast and lunch time.

Additional Comments: I was very thankful of the parent bags that were offered during our unexpected overnight visit.

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Maddison Zuba, BSN, RN

Compassion: All of the doctors and nurses were absolutely fabulous and empathetic throughout our stay, but Maddy stood out. Her extreme kindness, patience, and empathy for my daughter and myself made our stay comfortable. She took the time to get my daughter (who was terrified and in pain) to trust her, and get excited to see her. She constantly checked on me to make sure I was okay as well, and always asked if we needed anything. We were able to go home but unfortunately had to come back the next day. Maddy saw her name on the patient list, and came into see Amelia with a teddy bear and balloon and said she’s sorry we’re back and hopes she can help her feel safe and that she hopes she gets better soon. It brought tears to my eyes.

Accountability: Maddy constantly came in to check on both Amelia and myself to make sure we did not need anything, and brought her stickers when she needed to change her iv dressing to make sure she felt comfortable.

Respect: Maddy took the time to make sure we were comfortable and that Amelia felt safe at all times. She took her time to ensure Amelia trusted her and would get excited to see her come in the room.

Excellence: Her extreme kindness, patience, and empathy for my daughter and myself made our stay comfortable. She took the time to get my daughter (who was terrified and in pain) to trust her, and get excited to see her. She constantly checked on me to make sure I was okay as well, and always asked if we needed anything. We were able to go home but unfortunately had to come back the next day. Maddy saw her name on the patient list, and came into see Amelia with a teddy bear and balloon and said she’s sorry we’re back and hopes she can help her feel safe and that she hopes she gets better soon. It brought tears to my eyes. Truly compassionate and genuine. I can’t express how incredibly grateful I am to have had a nurse like her caring for my sick child. She is an absolute asset to Hasbro, and a special individual

Additional Comments: Truly compassionate and genuine. I can’t express how incredibly grateful I am to have had a nurse like her caring for my sick child. She is an absolute asset to Hasbro, and a special individual.

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Mary Sette, NP

Compassion: Mary showed immense compassion towards Ava and myself coming on to her shift Sunday morning when Ava needed a second procedure to resolve her intussusception. Mary eased our anxieties with her calm yet knowledgeable nature. We immediately felt safe when she arrived. 

Accountability: Mary followed through on everything she said she would. She eased my tears, remained present and lighthearted with Ava while providing high level patient care in a very high stress situation. She validated my concerns and explained rationale for everything.

Respect: Mary was respectful in almost every way one can define respect. She respected the immediate needs of Ava, my husband, myself, and her coworkers to be able to safely execute the procedure while remaining therapeutic to all parties.

Excellence: What stood out to me the most was her ability to provide sedation, comfort Ava and myself all while making us laugh. I truly needed her presence at that time and place and Ava remembers her as a source of comfort.

Additional Comments: We will be forever thankful for Mary’s presence, excellence, compassion, knowledge and dedication to delivering high quality patient care. As a nurse and ACM in adult critical care medicine I can whole heartedly say that Mary is the definition of a “Brite Lite” and carries out the CARE values through and through. She is an ultimate role model and our community is lucky to have her.

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