Tufts MC True Blue Recipient: Dorothy Didomenico, BSN, RN, CCRN, Clinical Instructor,
Nursing/Adult Critical Care
Nomination from Janice McLaughlin, Professional Development Director, Nursing/Adult Critical Care:
“Dorothy puts the needs of our patients and our organization at the center of everything she does. She always makes herself available to anyone who needs her help, and she is dedicated to ensuring our patients have the very best and most well-prepared providers caring for them. Our patients and our staff are fortunate to have her on their side.
“If a newer nurse is experiencing a procedure for the first time or is simply in need of her assistance, Dorothy will drop what she is doing and be there at the nurse’s side to assist and make sure the patient remains safe and comfortable. Recently, there was a patient in a critical care area requiring a treatment uncommon for this particular area—Dorothy put this patient at the top of her priority list. She rounded through the area several times a day, educating the nursing staff and advocating for the patient's care and well-being. She didn’t stop until she ensured everyone was comfortable, both the patient and the nurses.
“Dorothy has the enormous responsibility of ensuring that all the staff in the Cardiothoracic ICU, the Cardiomyopathy Center and the procedural labs associated with these care areas are prepared to care for a complex and unique patient population. In September, Dorothy collaborated with a multidisciplinary team to begin a weekly mock code event. She coordinates the attendance of nurses and other team members, reviews the resuscitation standards of the American Heart Association, goes over the contents of the code cart, demonstrates use of the defibrillator and helps guide the participants through a patient emergency. She focuses on all of the core elements that ensure a safe event with an optimal outcome.
“Honestly, when the day gets challenging and the obstacles seem overwhelming, Dorothy flies in to save the day. There are dozens of examples I could share with you about how Dorothy puts everyone else before herself. She truly isn’t having a good day until everyone else is. Her primary goal is to help the patients and staff of Tufts Medical Center. This isn't a skill you can teach or lesson you can provide—she does it naturally. Dorothy exemplifies what it is to be True Blue, and Tufts Medical Center is privileged to have her as our own.”
