From left: PIE Award winner Sholonda Alexander celebrates with Valerie Moals-Phillips, who nominated her for the honor.

When the Urgent Care Center waiting room at Brigham and Women’s/Mass General Health Care Center in Foxborough was at capacity one day, Eva Wood, a practice coordinator, wanted to do something to comfort patients as they waited to be seen.

She offered drinks and snacks and provided regular updates about expected wait times. These thoughtful gestures helped to ease patients’ minds amid the stress of an injury or illness.

Wood was among several individuals and teams honored with 2017 Partners in Excellence Awards (PIE) during the Feb. 20 ceremony. This year, awards were presented to a total of 65 individuals from BWH, the Brigham and Women’s Physicians Organization and the Dana-Farber/Brigham and Women’s Cancer Center, as well as 374 members of 33 project teams. The annual awards recognize employees for their outstanding contributions to Partners HealthCare’s mission.

Another PIE Award recipient was Johann Brown, a dosimetrist (radiation planning expert) in the Department of Radiation Oncology. Brown was nominated for his tireless efforts to ensure patients receive timely care.

“Johann epitomizes the phrase ‘going over and above one’s duties.’ Johann has worked weekends, evenings and early mornings to be sure all treatment plans are done on time and patient treatments are never delayed,” colleagues wrote in his nomination. “He is unreservedly committed to his team and patients.”

Among the teams honored with a PIE Award was Spiritual Care Services. The department was nominated for its work in training more than 100 medical students in the basics of Spiritual Care since 2016, as well as collaborating with Psychiatry and presenting at joint Psychiatry and Spiritual Care rounds to enhance collaboration, learning and continuity of care between the two departments.

Brigham Health President Betsy Nabel, MD, shared words of pride and gratitude with recipients for their work and dedication to patients, their families and each other.

“The commitment and loyalty you demonstrate to the Brigham is truly exceptional,” she said. “You inspire me every day. I thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

Paula Squires, MBA, SHRM-SCP, SPHR, senior vice president of Human Resources, served as the ceremony’s emcee and reflected on the extraordinary efforts of this year’s recipients.

“Because of all of you, we are and will remain one of the finest hospitals in the world,” said Squires. “Every day, your passion, purpose, skill and innovative spirit touch the lives of those in our BWH community. For that, we are all deeply grateful and proud. I’m thrilled we can celebrate the spirit of excellence today.”

View a recording of the webcast.