Deborah Henry
May 2025
Deborah
Henry
,
MSN, RN
Hematology/Oncology Clinic
MedStar Washington Hospital Center
Washington
,
DC
United States
Deborah stepped in and had both prescriptions redirected to the hospital pharmacy so the patient could pick them up without making a separate trip.
Deborah is a nurse navigator for hematology patients and is regularly named by patients as an important part of the care they receive. She consistently goes above and beyond for patients, taking on additional tasks to ensure they receive timely treatment for their conditions. She also goes out of her way to coordinate care across departments and teams. Recently, she stepped in to assist a patient who is being treated for Hodgkin's Lymphoma and also has Stiff Person Syndrome, which causes her to experience severe, constant pain. The patient was in the clinic for a post-hospital discharge visit, and Deborah identified that pain medications, which had been prescribed as discharge meds by another service, had been sent to two different pharmacies. The patient is reliant on Metro access to get to appointments and pick up medications, and leaving her home is extremely difficult due to her pain. Deborah stepped in and had both prescriptions redirected to the hospital pharmacy so the patient could pick them up without making a separate trip.
She also worked with the patient's insurance to confirm that the prior authorization was complete, so there would be no issues when picking up that day. She personally called the insurance company several times to ensure everything was taken care of. This is one example of countless times that Deborah has seen a problem and addressed it, regardless of whether it was "her job". She is the kind of nurse every patient needs in their corner - smart, compassionate, and persistent.
A few recent comments from patients:
"Deborah is the best, whatever anxiety you may feel going into the appointment, you don't feel it when you leave! The team is the epitome of health CARE."
"I’ve been thinking about you both a great deal as I get close to December 16, when my stem cells will be extracted. It’s important to me that I tell you how important starting on this journey with the two of you was. You both got me off to a very positive start, and I like to think it's stayed that way ever since. Please know that I think of you both fondly and with deep respect for the values you hold in your practice. Your “how” mattered more to me than your “what." "
She also worked with the patient's insurance to confirm that the prior authorization was complete, so there would be no issues when picking up that day. She personally called the insurance company several times to ensure everything was taken care of. This is one example of countless times that Deborah has seen a problem and addressed it, regardless of whether it was "her job". She is the kind of nurse every patient needs in their corner - smart, compassionate, and persistent.
A few recent comments from patients:
"Deborah is the best, whatever anxiety you may feel going into the appointment, you don't feel it when you leave! The team is the epitome of health CARE."
"I’ve been thinking about you both a great deal as I get close to December 16, when my stem cells will be extracted. It’s important to me that I tell you how important starting on this journey with the two of you was. You both got me off to a very positive start, and I like to think it's stayed that way ever since. Please know that I think of you both fondly and with deep respect for the values you hold in your practice. Your “how” mattered more to me than your “what." "