It is with great honor and admiration that we tell you about our friend and coworker, Debbie Lusson, BSN, RN, in the Neuro ICU here at St. Joe’s. As you’ll read, we feel that Deb embodies everything the DAISY Foundation was created for and more. Deb is trustworthy, kind, respectful, caring, compassionate, patient, and loves her job with her whole heart. Her coworkers and leaders are truly blessed to have her making this impact on our careers as nurses. Thank you for your time and consideration.

“Debbie is a wonderful nurse whom I am so grateful to work alongside and gain valuable knowledge from. She is always more than willing to take time and explain things to me, no matter the task, and is always willing to walk me through certain skills. As a new nurse, this means so much to me to know that there is someone like her who is willing to help and pass on her invaluable knowledge to others. In addition, Debbie genuinely cares about advocating for her patients and teaching other nurses to do the same. She goes above and beyond for her patients, and it’s an honor to work alongside her. One example in particular was when one of the patients she was taking care of was going to go on comfort care in the coming days, and Debbie made sure to do everything she could to allow this patient to pass with dignity by bathing and shaving him. I am blessed to work alongside someone like her.”
– Gianna Ferrantello, BSN, RN
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“Debra is an exceptional nurse and an amazing preceptor and mentor. She genuinely cares for both her patients and her fellow nurses, always looking out for us and checking in to make sure we're doing okay. I truly admire her positive attitude and the way she clearly explains new information. Her advice and recommendations have been invaluable, and I've grown so much as a nurse thanks to her support. I deeply appreciate Debra.”
– Justin Kim, RN
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“Deb is the reason I chose to pursue a career in the Neuro ICU. As a nursing student, I was deeply impacted by her patient teaching. It stood out to me because many nurses can be dismissive toward students. Deb treated me with a genuine willingness to teach. As a new grad, Deb was one of my preceptors and helped lay the foundation for the nurse I am today. Now, as her colleague, I continue to admire the way she cares for patients and her persistent attention to detail. Deb consistently goes above and beyond to support the unit, whether it’s jumping in to help others or mentoring new staff. She is a cornerstone of our team and embodies what it means to be an exceptional nurse.”
– Nia Karnes, BSN, RN
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“ Let me start off by saying, please stop working 8 days a week. Secondly, please give me some of that overtime money! Now, in all seriousness, I want to take the time to thank you for all that you have done for me as a nurse. As a new grad, you have taught me not to be afraid to ask questions and engage in new learning opportunities. Over the course of our time together, you have made me come out of my shell. Not only has that impacted me in my career, but also in my personal life. Your drive to engage in new learning opportunities while being in a leadership role just reflects the type of person you are. May you continue to impact the lives and careers of others. Thank you dearly. Your favorite nurse – Nat.”
– Nathalie Garcia, BSN, RN
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“Deb is an exceptional nurse and an invaluable member of our team. She consistently demonstrates clinical competence and a deep sense of compassion in the care she provides. Always approachable and willing to offer guidance, she excels at troubleshooting challenging situations with both skill and composure. Her dedication is evident not only in her commitment to her patients but also in the support she offers to her colleagues—often going above and beyond, even coming in on her days off to help when needed. Her positive attitude, unwavering work ethic, and genuine care for others make her a role model within our unit. She truly leads by example and is someone who is deeply respected and admired.”
– Mayra Garcia, RN
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“Deb is exceptional both at the bedside and as a teacher. Her wonderful demeanor makes learning fun and engaging for nurses of all levels of experience. I never feel afraid to ask her any questions, and she’s even ready to provide support on a deep and personal level. Very few role models in my life have made me feel so truly safe and accepted. She takes on every task with her best effort, and no assignment is beneath her. As we hire and train new nurses, our unit simply could not manage without her. I hope I can one day bless people the same way Deb has blessed me.”
– Delaney Myers, BSN, RN
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“It’s hard to put into words just how much Debbie means to her patients, their families, and the entire care team. She is the definition of compassionate, skilled, and deeply committed nursing. Debbie brings a sense of calm, kindness, and joy to the unit. Whether she’s comforting patients, supporting new nurses, or helping her colleagues through tough shifts, she does it all with grace and genuine warmth. Her ability to listen and truly hear what people need makes a profound difference every single day.

In her role as a preceptor, Debbie has been nothing short of extraordinary. She takes new nurses under her wing with patience, clarity, and a true passion for teaching. She creates a safe and supportive learning environment where questions are welcomed and confidence is built. Her approach not only helps new nurses succeed but ensures that our team continues to grow strong, knowledgeable, and united.

What sets Debbie apart is that she’s not just a resource for those new to the field—she’s a trusted go-to for even the most seasoned nurses. Her depth of knowledge, clinical intuition, and willingness to collaborate make her someone everyone turns to for insight and guidance. She leads by example, always putting patient care first and inspiring others to do the same.”**
– Marlene Keymolen Ramirez, MSN, BSc, RN
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“Deb is such a support for anybody and everybody, no matter what is going on. She is always willing to help, lend an ear, and is someone you want on your team. No matter the situation or scenario, she is a judgment-free resource and an amazing nurse. She truly cares about her patients and nurses and fights for what is right.”
– Anna Robinson, BSN, RN
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“The first time I met Deb, she didn’t recognize me because I was new to the unit. She gave me her personal cell phone number and her ascom, and made sure I knew she was around and available if I needed anything. Welcoming is an understatement. She is eager to teach and creates a safe learning environment. She enjoys learning and will actively seek opportunities to refresh and expand her knowledge.

Deb truly cares for her patients and their families. I’ve heard her say countless times that she would appreciate someone caring the same way for her loved ones. Deb is a nurse first. Patient safety and care are her number-one priorities. She’s never afraid to jump in and help her teammates. Deb is always available, and no task is too big or too small. She’s a true team player. She advocates for the safety and well-being of her coworkers as well.

Deb carries herself with grace and humility, and she is a natural leader. Her goal is always to lead by example, and she exceeds that goal. She won’t even consider applying for a charge position because it would take her away from bedside nursing and teaching. Nursing needs more people like Deb. Florence would be proud.”**
– Liz Cirricione, RN
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“I have known Deb for the majority of my career. During this time, she has taught me lessons that not only apply to my practice but also transcend into every area of my life. She exemplifies the patience, advocacy, understanding, and grace necessary to navigate the art and science of nursing and life. I can only hope to one day hold each of these qualities in the same capacity. Deb is well known for her loving and caring nature that she shares with those who have the privilege to be under her care, under her leadership, or as her friend. My own practice and experience would not have been the same without her loving heart and spirit beside me.”
– Ana Torres, MSN, RN
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“Deb always goes above and beyond to help with patient care. She never makes me feel silly asking her questions. She stands out to me as a nurse who truly cares about others and always strives to be better—not just for the patients we care for, but also for our benefit as fellow nurses who are learning. She amazes me with her consistent drive and passion to show up, no matter what you need or how busy she might be. Deb will never let you feel like you’re on your own—she’s right there with you!”
– Gemma Spicer, BSN, RN
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“Deb is an amazing nurse whom I am grateful to work with. She’s always there to help anyone who needs it. There were times when I was struggling to get multiple orders done, no matter what. She always got in the paint with me and made sure I was caught up on everything. She has been such a huge advocate for all our patients, and if something wasn’t right, she made sure we reached out to the providers. As a nurse, it’s so reassuring to know that we have someone like her on shift because we know that if anything happens, she has our back. Blessed to be working with someone like her.”
– Roya Seaton, BSN, RN