Kelly A Brisbin
November 2025
Kelly A
Brisbin
,
MSN, APRN, FNP-C, CWON-AP
Wound Care
Cleveland Clinic Martin North Hospital
Stuart
,
FL
United States
I found myself lost in the system, unsupported, and disregarded. Yet despite everything, one person was able to bring light to this nightmare: Kelly Brisbin.
As a nurse with over 30 years of experience, navigating healthcare from the perspective of a patient’s family member has been profoundly challenging. My husband underwent coronary artery bypass and mitral valve replacement surgery, which led to a prolonged and complex hospitalization.
Over the course of his extended stay, there were several moments when I found myself lost in the system, unsupported, and disregarded. Yet despite everything, one person was able to bring light to this nightmare: Kelly Brisbin.
Kelly serves in the wound care department, and her exceptional skills, compassion, and dedication truly exemplify the qualities of a DAISY Award recipient. My husband's post-operative course was complicated, resulting in multiple hospital admissions across several hospitals and rehab facilities. One of the most serious complications involved an extensive sternal wound infection.
Months later, he was admitted to Martin North with a neck abscess that revealed a deep tunneling infection beneath his sternum. Over the course of three surgeries, his chest was opened and debrided down to the heart, which was left exposed and covered with a wound vacuum dressing. It was during this critical period that we met Kelly.
After the third surgery, he was transferred to the MICU for close monitoring due to active bleeding from the wound. Kelly was present to assist the surgical team with managing the wound vac. Unfortunately, the dressing needed to be changed again while he was awake, which was a painful and traumatic experience.
I was waiting in the surgical lounge when I heard him screaming from the MICU. The sound was unbearable. I was distraught, convinced I was losing him, and I requested to discontinue the procedure. I had promised him that any future wound care would be done under anesthesia in the OR, and now he was enduring another bedside dressing change.
Kelly came out to speak with me, and her calm and reassuring presence helped me regain composure. She explained that my husband had received IV pain medication and was settling down. She truly listened to my fears and frustrations. Her empathy and gentle communication helped us build deep trust in her care.
Throughout my husband's 113-day hospitalization, countless staff members rotated in and out of his room, often without introductions. Hospitalist physicians changed weekly, but Kelly remained a constant, familiar face. Although wound care was typically scheduled three times per week, Kelly made time to check in with him daily. He looked forward to seeing her, and her presence brought comfort and stability.
In July, my husband was transferred to Delray Medical Center for additional surgeries, including a muscle flap to close the chest wound and removal of his sternum and ribs bilaterally. While the surgical team at Delray was excellent, the care received at Martin North, especially from Kelly, was unparalleled.
Despite his critical condition and difficulty communicating, he remembered Kelly and would ask, “When can I go back to the Kelly house,” meaning Martin North Hospital.
Over the course of his hospitalization, my husband endured 11 surgeries, numerous procedures, and frequent wound vac dressing changes requiring anesthesia. Kelly consistently ensured she was the one performing his dressings, even though APRNs do not typically handle this task. Recognizing his PTSD and severe anxiety, she adapted her approach to minimize distress. She created a comforting routine, playing music he liked, using a sleep mask, and gently guiding him through each step.
On several occasions, she came in on her days off to perform his dressing changes. Kelly treated my husband as if he were her own family. She spent countless hours consulting with product representatives to find the best wound care solutions.
Despite our high anxiety and emotional strain, Kelly remained honest, patient, and supportive. Her transparency helped ease our fears and build confidence in his care.
As a registered nurse, I hold high standards for clinical excellence. Kelly exceeds every expectation. She consistently went above and beyond, even calling me after dressing changes to update me on my husband's condition, something she was not obligated to do but chose to do because she knew how deeply I cared.
Cleveland Clinic is truly fortunate to have Kelly on staff. Her expertise, compassion, and unwavering dedication make her a most deserving recipient of the DAISY Award.
Over the course of his extended stay, there were several moments when I found myself lost in the system, unsupported, and disregarded. Yet despite everything, one person was able to bring light to this nightmare: Kelly Brisbin.
Kelly serves in the wound care department, and her exceptional skills, compassion, and dedication truly exemplify the qualities of a DAISY Award recipient. My husband's post-operative course was complicated, resulting in multiple hospital admissions across several hospitals and rehab facilities. One of the most serious complications involved an extensive sternal wound infection.
Months later, he was admitted to Martin North with a neck abscess that revealed a deep tunneling infection beneath his sternum. Over the course of three surgeries, his chest was opened and debrided down to the heart, which was left exposed and covered with a wound vacuum dressing. It was during this critical period that we met Kelly.
After the third surgery, he was transferred to the MICU for close monitoring due to active bleeding from the wound. Kelly was present to assist the surgical team with managing the wound vac. Unfortunately, the dressing needed to be changed again while he was awake, which was a painful and traumatic experience.
I was waiting in the surgical lounge when I heard him screaming from the MICU. The sound was unbearable. I was distraught, convinced I was losing him, and I requested to discontinue the procedure. I had promised him that any future wound care would be done under anesthesia in the OR, and now he was enduring another bedside dressing change.
Kelly came out to speak with me, and her calm and reassuring presence helped me regain composure. She explained that my husband had received IV pain medication and was settling down. She truly listened to my fears and frustrations. Her empathy and gentle communication helped us build deep trust in her care.
Throughout my husband's 113-day hospitalization, countless staff members rotated in and out of his room, often without introductions. Hospitalist physicians changed weekly, but Kelly remained a constant, familiar face. Although wound care was typically scheduled three times per week, Kelly made time to check in with him daily. He looked forward to seeing her, and her presence brought comfort and stability.
In July, my husband was transferred to Delray Medical Center for additional surgeries, including a muscle flap to close the chest wound and removal of his sternum and ribs bilaterally. While the surgical team at Delray was excellent, the care received at Martin North, especially from Kelly, was unparalleled.
Despite his critical condition and difficulty communicating, he remembered Kelly and would ask, “When can I go back to the Kelly house,” meaning Martin North Hospital.
Over the course of his hospitalization, my husband endured 11 surgeries, numerous procedures, and frequent wound vac dressing changes requiring anesthesia. Kelly consistently ensured she was the one performing his dressings, even though APRNs do not typically handle this task. Recognizing his PTSD and severe anxiety, she adapted her approach to minimize distress. She created a comforting routine, playing music he liked, using a sleep mask, and gently guiding him through each step.
On several occasions, she came in on her days off to perform his dressing changes. Kelly treated my husband as if he were her own family. She spent countless hours consulting with product representatives to find the best wound care solutions.
Despite our high anxiety and emotional strain, Kelly remained honest, patient, and supportive. Her transparency helped ease our fears and build confidence in his care.
As a registered nurse, I hold high standards for clinical excellence. Kelly exceeds every expectation. She consistently went above and beyond, even calling me after dressing changes to update me on my husband's condition, something she was not obligated to do but chose to do because she knew how deeply I cared.
Cleveland Clinic is truly fortunate to have Kelly on staff. Her expertise, compassion, and unwavering dedication make her a most deserving recipient of the DAISY Award.