Last week, the Ellison 14 burn nurses got to be firefighters for a day with the @bostonfiretrainingacademy as part of an immersive learning experience!
There is still time to add your note of appreciation to our virtual thank you card before National Nurses Week ends at midnight tonight! Your words let @MassGeneralBrigham ’s nurses know how grateful our community is for their critical work and compassionate care, so please add a message today. Link in bio.
The @bostonglobe ’s annual “Salute to Nurses” honors nurses across New England whose compassion, dedication and extraordinary care have made a lasting difference in the lives of patients and their families during some of their most difficult moments. Through heartfelt, personalized messages, patients, families and colleagues share their stories and express deep gratitude for the comfort, strength and healing these nurses provide every day.
Congratulations to all the nurses across @MassGeneralBrigham who were recognized this year. This honor is a reflection of the remarkable care, commitment and compassion you bring to others, and of the profound impact you make every day. Read all the nomination letters. Link in bio.
A mother’s touch can be powerful medicine. 💕
Did you know that holding your baby skin-to-skin helps create a sense of comfort and security? Skin-to-skin care is healing for babies of all ages. Your warmth, steady heartbeat, and rhythm of breathing help calm and regulate your infant. Studies show that babies who are held skin-to-skin, also called “kangaroo care,” are less stressed, cry less and grow better. Parents benefit, too! So go ahead, hug your baby, and celebrate the healing power of holding them close. #HappyMothersDay
Join us in recognizing the nurses who have made a difference in your life by adding a message of appreciation to our virtual thank you card. National Nurses Week ends on May 12, so please add your message today! Link in bio.
For graduating medical student Yoseph Boku, an HMS lecture on sickle cell disease led to a mentorship that has shaped his career path.
He met Sharl Azar, HMS instructor and medical director of the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Center at Massachusetts General Hospital, during a lecture and came to him with research ideas on patient-focused problems.
“What was especially unique about Yoseph was that he was deeply and genuinely and compassionately dedicated to the questions he was asking me about this patient population,” Azar said. “And that was obvious from the very first conversations that we were having with each other.”
Sickle cell disease is the most common life-threatening blood disorder in the world. In the United States, it’s estimated to affect approximately 100,000 people, though the true number is likely higher due to underdiagnosis and limited awareness of the condition.
Together, they launched a research project to address challenges faced by patients with sickle cell who are incarcerated.
Their mentorship story shows what’s possible at HMS and its affiliated hospitals: a career that blends clinical care, research, health equity, and connection with the community.
“One thing that I've learned from Dr. Azar that I just couldn't have learned in a 90-minute lecture slide is actually going to the bedside with Dr. Azar and seeing how authentically he connects with his patients,” Boku said.
After graduation, Boku will begin his internal medicine residency at MGH.
Happy National Nurses Week! Help us thank Mass General Brigham’s incredible nurses who care for our community by adding a note to our virtual thank you card. Link in bio.
Wishing our friend Peter Cahill good luck as he embarks on his 13th annual bike ride from @MassGeneral to Montreal to raise awareness and funds for neurofibromatosis research and care at Mass General Brigham.
Peter and his wife, Andrea, established the Andrea Cahill Fund for NF2 Research after her diagnosis with neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2), a rare genetic condition known to cause tumors on the nerves, particularly in the skull and spine. Throughout her long journey with the disease, Andrea’s tenacity and spirit inspired countless others, and her memory lives on through Peter’s continued efforts, supporting the research of Scott Plotkin, MD, PhD, program director of Neuro-Oncology at the Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute. @peter_cahill_author
The O’Brien-Romano family helps children with autism thrive in school through their philanthropic giving to strengthen educational support services at the Lurie Center for Autism. In the first weeks after their son Ben began kindergarten, Karen O’Brien and Gary Romano felt like they were living through a “crash.” The stress of seeing Ben struggle in his new school environment—and a sinking sense that it wouldn’t be temporary—brought their long-simmering worries to a boiling point.
Ten years later, today feels much brighter for Ben. He is thriving as a freshman in high school, with a voracious love of reading and a zeal for cross-country running. In addition to his hard work over the last decade, for Ben, the game-changers have been his parents’ love, patience and tireless advocacy, strong support at school and the wraparound, expert care he has received at the Lurie Center.
Karen and Gary are delighted and grateful for Ben’s success. Still, they can’t help thinking of how different things could have been for him—and are for so many children with autism. Out of care for families in the autism community struggling with access to information and inclusive learning, they have made significant contributions in recent years to strengthen the Lurie Center’s educational support services. Read more about their story at the link in our bio.
For Bailey, the bell signifies the end of her proton radiation treatment that she has been receiving at Mass General Brigham Cancer Institute for her rare and aggressive brain cancer, Atypical Teratoid/Rhabdoid Tumor (ATRT). Surrounded by her parents, older brother, family, friends, and care team, Bailey marked an important milestone since her brain surgery and diagnosis in August 2025.
Throughout months of treatment, Bailey faced each day with courage and determination. Her family described her as “so resilient, brave, and strong this entire time. She never complained, she always stayed positive, and she learned as much as she could along the way. She always reassured us she was okay, and she stayed smiling and full of joy. Her bright, loving spirit touches everyone she meets, and she has never stopped looking ahead at how much she wants to do in life. We are so proud of our daughter. She never gave up. She never gave in. She continued to shine, even in the darkest days.”
