Our One Shining Moment this year occurred on Braunwald Tower 5B. During the first COVID surge, 5B opened as a Palliative Care COVID unit for those COVID patients at the end of life. One day, we were asked if we could arrange a room for two friends and roommates to share their last days together. The rooms on 5B are private, so, at first, we didn’t think it would be possible. But we were able to identify one room that had the capacity for two beds and started working on the conversion. In eight hours — with the help of Engineering, Biomed, Environmental Services, IS and many others — we were able to transfer these friends into the same room. The nurses enjoyed caring for them as much as they enjoyed being together. Unfortunately, one of the friends did pass away while they were here, but one was able to be discharged home. Caring for these two patients was a bright spot in an otherwise scary time. I am so proud of our Brigham family for pulling together and making the impossible possible.

Lauren Willard, MSN, RN, OCN
Nursing Director, Braunwald Tower 5AB and 12C
Oncology and Palliative Care

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