As part of Healthcare Heroes Night, all healthcare workers in attendance for tonight's game will be honored during a moment of recognition during the first period. Additionally, three local healthcare workers who have been recognized as going above and beyond in their respective fields will be honored as the 'Healthcare Heroes' of tonight's game.
Dr. Thiago Oliveiraof Brigham and Women's Faulkner Hospital will be recognized for his commitment to an exceptional patient experience. Dr. Oliveira is constantly recognized for providing compassionate care and comfort for patients, families, and fellow staff. He has developed a reflection, remembrance and restoration program so team members from all disciplines in the ICU can talk about their experience dealing with suffering. His compassion and empathy are integral to his job, and were demonstrated when he stayed long beyond a shift at his hospital to talk and prepare the family of a long-term ICU patient with a terminal diagnosis on how to cope and ease suffering.
Anneke Johnson, a nurse in the Psychotic and Bipolar Disorders, Appleton Program at McLean Hospital, will be recognized for her ability to optimize teamwork. Nurse Johnson was instrumental in developing and implementing new methods that nursing staff utilize for tracking medication orders with the pharmacy, while also improving communication with doctors to reduce missed medication refills and confusion regarding lab orders. She has an incredible talent for organization, and her communication style is warm, calm and clear. Johnson also takes on a supportive role for patients in crisis, helping families understand treatment changes and working with insurance companies.
Matthew Ota of the Central Transport Division at Salem Hospital will be recognized for his commitment to an exceptional patient experience. Ota, who transports patients on a frequent basis, is known for his gentle tone, calming words, and overall compassion with the patients he is transporting. Ota is known for always providing kindness to patients and exemplifying compassion in the Transport department, which truly demonstrates his excellence and leadership.
For Healthcare Heroes Appreciation Night, the 8-Spoked Salute will go to Colonel Jason Cohen.Colonel Cohen is currently in active duty for the United States Army Reserves and is a Bolton, Massachusetts native. Working as an Emergency Physician for his entire 23-year service career, he has been deployed four separate times to the Middle East. For his service, he's been awarded a Bronze Star, as well as the Meritorious Service Medal, among others. While he still serves his country, he also works as an Attending Physician in the Division of Trauma, Burn, and Surgical Critical Care at Brigham & Women's Hospital.
Healthcare Heroes Night will also feature initiatives to celebrate healthcare professionals, including a 20-percent, in-house discount at the ProShop, powered by '47 and in-game recognition presentations. Additionally, Blades and other members of the Bruins staff will travel to local hospitals on Friday, March 31 to distribute $1,000 in Dunkin' gift cards.
