Deborah Lee, RN
Piedmont Atlanta
Around 2 North, Piedmont’s oncology ward, Deborah Lee, RN and charge nurse, is known as a tireless cheerleader who always thinks of others. She’s not afraid to push the envelope when it comes to taking care of patients and fellow staff. Her manager and nominator Barbara Lineham emphasizes that “she consistently looks for new projects that will benefit Piedmont Hospital and build relationships with employees. As a day shift charge nurse she helps steer the ship and is fantastic at motivating the team.”
And she’s among the first to jump in for a worthy project. She initiated “Pink for a Cause” last fall to raise awareness about breast cancer and spearhead a fundraiser for the Doris Shaheen Breast Center, selling stickers, collecting donations, and encouraging staff to wear pink during October. She even dyed her hair pink for the campaign. “We set a goal to raise $3,000 and we actually raised almost $5,000,” she said. “And we all had a good time.”
Lee is tuned in to staff and patients alike. When a STAT team on the floor had an extended assignment and couldn’t take a meal break, Lee purchased gift certificated for them at the hospital’s café. And when a young terminal breast cancer patient asked if her dog could be with her in the hospital, Lee made sure that he was at the patient’s side for the last two weeks of her life. “We have a pet policy at Piedmont, but we made an exception for this patient so that her pet could sleep on the bed and comfort her. It really meant a great deal to the patient and her family. And for me, it is so important to take care of people.”
Lineham adds, “When the patient passed away Debbie was with the family through the full process. I take great pride in nominating Debbie for her selfless attitude and passion for nursing and healthcare.”
