Brite Lites

The Brite Lite employee recognition program was launched in 2002, and highlights 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 2025 Brite Lites

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

Rebecca Laptook, PhD

Compassion: My daughter attended the program from May 6 through August 6 . Dr. Laptook was so patient with my daughter, who was often and easily upset. She was compassionate and understanding with my daughter and also myself. She taught me so much. She taught me to be firm when necessary, something that I lacked.

Accountability: Dr. Laptook facilitated family meetings twice a week, took my concerns into consideration. She tailored my daughter’s treatment to best accommodate her rather than a standard approach. Dr. Laptook arranged zoom meetings with the new psychiatrist we will be seeing outpatient, in order to make sure it would be an easy transition for us. She also set up school recommendations she thought would cause the least distress for my daughter. There were O/T and P/T appointments in place before discharge. Our pediatrician was updated with continued treatment plans. I always left the meetings knowing that Dr. Laptook had my daughter’s specific needs and best interest in mind.

Respect: Dr. Laptook always challenged my daughter and knew her well enough to move on and revisit the issue at another time when she was upset. Dr. Laptook always took my opinions and concerns on issues into consideration when tailoring goals in and out of the program.

Excellence: When our family entered the program the first day, we were defeated and vulnerable. We were also committed to helping our daughter. The first few weeks were really hard but Dr. Laptook assured us she would make progress. Fifteen weeks later our daughter had become quite the entertainer! She was smiling, laughing and joking, something we hadn’t seen in years. Discharge day came with many emotions. Dr. Laptook set a solid foundation for our family. We will show our appreciation to her by continuing to support our daughter with everything she has taught us. Dr. Laptook was the doctor we had been searching for. The doctor who was right fit at the right time. I will be forever grateful she came into our lives.

Additional Comment: This is the best thing I could have ever done for my daughter! Dr. Laptook will always have a huge space in our hearts.

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Tracy Hennessey, RN

Compassion: Tracy cared for our daughter after we had 2 wonderful nurses, already. I said, a third one would be pushing it. Safe to say I was wrong. Tracy took care of my princess as if she was her child. She was so gentle and patient. I was blown away. She already had a sense of the type of family/patient she had in front of her. So, she came prepared. But I have to say I think it was just a natural instinct. The way she cares is something that cannot be taught. I knew there was something about her and I just couldn’t point it out. Later on, I found out and I will just say her and I have a lot in common.

Tracy is someone that knows EXACTLY how families feel during this time. I don’t think the words comfortable and hospital coincide but somehow because of her, they do. Tracy would ensure my daughter had what she needed when she needed it. Aside from the legality such as medicines. She ensured that my daughter had enough items to stay entertain with, in addition to us parents.

Tracy did a great job of reducing the anxiety for all of us.

Accountability: Tracy did not hear what we would say, rather she listened to what we would say and act accordingly. Tracy really helped me to strengthen my confidence. As a parent but also a human being going through something new and tragic.

Tracy was a great communicator. She was open to feedback and constructive criticism. She immediately told us, “you tell me how you would like me to…”. It was never in a contradicting or sarcastic manner. It was with true genuine intention. Just wants to make sure that we are comfortable. You can have all the experience in the world, you can be the master of your profession but remember you always need to be a student. Tracy is not afraid to be a student, thank you Tracy. God bless you and your family.

Respect: Before Tracy was a direct nurse for us, she respected my daughter and her space. She always knocked before entering. She would ask my daughter, “is it ok if I..” before she continued to care for her. Tracy would run everything by my daughter first before proceeding. 

Tracy knocked every time before entering. Early mornings when things were rough, or when my child is going to have a long day. Tracy allowed my kiddo to sleep in a bit and get some rest. She understands the important of rest especially during that time.

Tracy wore her mask with no push back. She would always do everything around my child’s time.

Excellence: I literally was able to “rest” when Tracy was our nurse. I cannot point out a flaw with her. I am humbly grateful for Tracy. She is 1 of 1. We were in a vulnerable place and while some people may not be up for laughs, Tracy sure would put a smile on my face. I am smiling now, thinking back on our time with her.

Additional Comments: Tracy, you are incredible. I have to share, Tracy, went to the extent of scrapping off some stickers that were on the floor. They were pretty annoying after sometime. We made one comment about it and BOOM. 1 minute later she’s down on the floor removing the stickers, like wow. Did not call housekeeping, did not call another nurse to help. Just went to town. Another RN that doesn’t just do what is “expected” within the role of a RN. Removing stickers off the floor to make the room more comfortable and cleaner; she is special. Anyone is lucky to be taken care of by her.

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Stacy Pizzuti, RN

Compassion:  This nurse was fantastic. Our son is only 7 weeks but she made sure she made herself known to him as soon as she walked in our room. She introduced herself to him as well as ourselves. The first nurse we have had that actually spoke to him like he as the patient versus just a baby. She made him smile.

Accountability: Stacy made sure we always had something for ourselves whether it be drinks or food, towels to shower with, diapers, bottles, blankets for our son, whatever we needed she made she we got it. She wanted to ease his stay by helping us out as well.

Respect: Stacy respected our son by listening to him even though he cannot speak. She watched his body language for hunger cues, sleep, and pain. In any setting she respected him and tried to make him feel better when other nurses treated him as just another patient of theirs.

Excellence: Stacy went above and beyond everything she did. She came and introduced herself to Jervontae upon walking in the door. She swaddled and rocked him to sleep when mom and dad were beyond exhausted. She took extra time to make sure he was breathing alright. She always came in the room in a good mood. She held regular conversations with mom to keep her mind off the stress of being at Hasbro. She made sure to go above and beyond.

Additional Comments: If I could I told her she needs a raise. I know it is their job to be friendly but she goes beyond her job and isn’t slacking off on her empathic skills to make a family feel less stressed. She went and found us a little seat he can sit in during our stay. She grabbed a bedside table to supply more space for drinks and such and she went and looked for a chair for mom to sleep on since the couch/bed was occupied by dad.

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Deborah Barton, RN

Compassion: My daughter, Kylee, was born in 2010 and spent nearly her entire first year of life at Women & Infants Hospital and Hasbro Children’s Hospital before she was finally able to come home. During that time, she underwent multiple major surgeries, including PDA ligation, and required both a tracheostomy and a G-tube—all before her first birthday.

After coming home, Kylee received home-based therapies, and when she turned three, we transitioned to Hasbro Pediatric Rehabilitation. Throughout those years, we had the privilege of meeting Deb on multiple occasions during Kylee’s visits with Dr. Kerman.

Deb was truly one of the sweetest and most compassionate people we encountered during our journey. She consistently showed genuine care, patience, and understanding—not just for Kylee, but for our entire family. Her kindness and support made an incredibly difficult time feel more manageable, and her presence left a lasting impact on us.

Deb deserves recognition for the extraordinary support she has provided to so many families like ours. Her compassion, dedication, and humanity make a profound difference in the lives of the children and families she serves.

Accountability: Deb would give us recommendations to help Kylee with anything.

Respect: She treated Kylee like a "typical kid."

Excellence: Deb has been very helpful to our Kylee and family.

Additional Comment: I hope Deb is recognized for her hard work and dedication to families and kids like my Kylee!

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