Earlier this year, a dear friend from the Midwest required a bone marrow transplant. She traveled to the Brigham to have her procedure performed, and she received follow-up care here as well. When I asked her why she chose to travel such a great distance for care, she said that of all the hospitals across the country, she felt she would receive the very best care here at the Brigham. The sentiment filled me with tremendous pride.

“The bonds that we forge here – with our patients, their families and each other – are at the very foundation of who we are as a community.”

Coincidentally, my son, Chris, has been a medical resident in our Bone Marrow Transplant unit. It’s been gratifying to hear him talk about how the clinicians on the unit have helped him expand his clinical skills and supported him through many challenging moments. Hearing Chris talk about how much he’s learned from our nurses and the respect and admiration he has for their professionalism reminded me of my own experience as a resident at the Brigham. I practically lived here, and my nursing colleagues quickly took me under their wings, becoming both mentors and friends. They were a great source of support for me, as I was one of the few female trainees at that time.

The bonds that we forge here – with our patients, their families and each other – are at the very foundation of who we are as a community. Our culture of caring and multidisciplinary collaboration is reflected in everything we do, and it is a tremendous honor for me to see that on display every day.

Betsy Nabel, MD
President, Brigham Health