December 2025 Healthcare Heroes | Vanderbilt University Hospital Nursing

Ancillary Staff Member of the Quarter: Nermin Karam, EVS - Patient #1 Family Member: "Dear Nermin, I looked up the meaning of your name and I wasn't surprised to learn (that) it means soft, gentle, delicate, and kind. Thank you for being so kind to us. You radiate joy! I imagine the Lord uses you to bless people everywhere you go, Thank you for praying for my son, Collin. I will pray for you and your family too. God bless you!" Same week, Patient #2: "Dear Nermin, I just wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart. You may not realize how much your kindness, prayers, and check-ins meant to me during one of the most difficult times of my life. Being in the hospital for two weeks, facing complications, and multiple surgeries has been incredibly hard, but your warmth and care brought comfort and light to my days. You treated me like more than just a patient in a room. You saw me and your presence reminded me (that) I wasn't alone. Your prayers gave me strength and your kindness made this place feel less scary. I'll never forget how you made me feel, which was seen, cared for, and supported. Thank you for being a beautiful soul in a place where it is so needed.

Nurse of the Quarter: Brooke Owens, RN- 7JAT: "I am honored to nominate Brooke for Nurse of the Quarter. She consistently goes above and beyond for her patients and exemplifies the true heart of nursing in every shift she works. Her commitment to providing not only excellent clinical care but also deep emotional support truly sets her apart. One especially powerful example of Brooke's compassion recently touched our entire unit. A pediatric patient, technically 17 years old, was admitted to our adult unit with a life-threatening condition that children's services were unable to manage. Understandably, the patient was terrified about being in the adult hospital environment. Brooke learned how scared he was and took it upon herself to comfort him-creating a thoughtful gift basket and personally ensuring he felt seen, safe, and supported. Her kindness made a lasting impression not only on the patient but also on his family. Tragically, he did not survive, but he gave the greatest gift through organ donation. In the family's most heartbreaking moments, they shared how deeply Brooke's compassion touched them-and how her care in those final days will never be forgotten. This is just one example of the impact Brooke makes regularly on our unit. She brings comfort, connection, and advocacy to every patient encounter. Her compassion, empathy, and dedication to nursing excellence embody everything Nurse of the Quarter stands for. Brooke is more than deserving of this recognition."

Nurse Leader of the Quarter: Ashley Kilmon, CSL- TVC2: "She consistently goes above and beyond by ensuring the team works in a supportive and efficient environment. She checks in regularly to make sure no one is falling behind on tasks and always looks for ways to improve the workplace for everyone. Even back when we worked together as staff, she already showed strong leadership, lived out the CREDO values, and set an example with her positive attitude and teamwork."