Red Sox Nurse Appreciation Night 2023 Recap
Jump To a Section!
- Meet Nurse Eileen Ruggieri, who will threw the first pitch! 9 finalists were also honored on the field.
- Meet Nurse Kelli Neville, who sang the National Anthem
Red Sox Nurse Appreciation Night 2023!
The 6th annual Red Sox Nurse Night 2023 was a BLAST! Over 6,000 nurses were in attendance. Nurse.org once again had the privilege to honor 10 remarkable nurses on the field. Nurse Eileen Ruggieri threw the first pitch. Nurse Kelli Neville sang the National Anthem. It was a great night and we look forward to next year!
Red Sox Nurse Night 2023 Photos
Nurse Eileen Ruggieri threw the first pitch during Red Sox Nurse Appreciation Night pregame ceremony!
Nurse Kelli Neville sang the National Anthem!
Pre-Game Ceremony
Game Time Fun!
Nurse Eilleen Ruggieri Threw The First Pitch!
The votes have been tallied! Congrats to Nurse Eileen Ruggieri on being voted the nurse to throw the first pitch during Red Sox Nurse Appreciation Night pregame ceremony.
About Eileen Ruggieri
Eileen became a nurse in 1979, dedicating her life to her patients/residents for 44 years! She has worked for the Courtyard Nursing Care Center for 18 years and is currently the Nurse Manager of Dogwood Lane, a 40-bed neighborhood. Eileen is the most caring, compassionate person I know and shows empathy for her residents, family, and staff. To Eileen, these residents are not just residents, they are part of her family. She has a special gift with memory impaired residents and is able to give them structure, and happiness, and makes sure they have the best quality of life possible.
Top 9 Finalists:
The following nurses were nominated by their peers, supervisors, and loved ones for their dedication to the nursing profession. These amazing nurses will be honored on the field during the pre-game ceremony and one special nurse will be voted to throw the first pitch.
Top 10 Nominees:
Mary O'Sullivan
My name is Mary T. O’Sullivan, RN CNIII, I have worked for BIDMC for 38 years and at Bowdoin Street Health Center for almost 22 years. Bowdoin St. Health Center is located directly in the heart of an extremely poor, culturally diverse, and often violent, Boston neighborhood. I consider it an honor, a privilege, as well as a great challenge to take care of some of our city’s most vulnerable residents. I take pride in my commitment to educating patients about their conditions and how they can be more proactive in their own care. My calling to become a nurse came at a very young age and has been my life’s vocation. I think the best feeling in the world is when you know that you have truly made a difference in someone’s life. The hand squeeze or the hug that I receive from my patients at the end of a visit is confirmation that they feel the love and care that I give to them through my work. I truly love being a nurse and helping to serve my community. I also love being a member of an incredibly dedicated, hardworking, and compassionate work family at BSHC.
Aside from my love of being a nurse, “Mary O” is my love of being, “Mum” to my four beautiful children, and wife, to my amazing husband! I could not do what I do every day, without their constant love and support. Family is everything to me- at home, AND at work. I consider myself a very blessed woman to have two incredible families!
Just being nominated for this acknowledgment, is very humbling, and such an honor to be able to represent BSHC. If I should be chosen to throw the first pitch, it will be thrown in honor of my Mother, who was one of the Boston Red Sox's greatest fans! She instilled her love of sports in me and my eight siblings. Some of my fondest Red Sox memories with my mother were watching Luis Tiant and his awe-inspiring pitching in the ’70s! His wind-up absolutely mesmerized me, and I haven’t stopped watching baseball since….
Jeremy Boucher
Nomination:
"Jeremy is a truly exceptional nurse and has grown so far within the three years he's been a nurse. Jeremy started out as an agency nurse and within a year began mentoring and training new nurses and employees on the floor. He has a strong passion and dedication to his patients, as well is a team player, and works well with staff. Within his second year, Jeremy was an employee of the month for April and was featured on the agency's website where you can find his story here.
Jeremy was also then nominated for the compassionate caregiver of the Year, in which he was a runner-up. He was then offered a position as a nurse practice educator for the facility and decided to take on the role. Jeremy has done a tremendous job as the NPE for the facility, and always goes above and beyond expectations. He educates staff, residents, and families on important matters, and truly helps the facility run in a smooth fashion. He truly is a star player. Jeremy truly deserves to be honored and recognized for his passion/dedication in the nursing field."
Jackie Haney
Jackie is a hard-working Nurse in the Cardiac Care Unit at Lawrence General Hospital and has been a Red Sox fan since she was young, going to Fenway with her father any chance they could. In 2012 her dad was diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer at that time Jackie was an EMT working in the community but decided to put her job on hold to take care of her father at home. Learning as she went, she absorbed everything she could from the nurses she met at Mass General who took care of her father. It was those nurses who inspired her to go back to school to become one herself. Attending the Accelerated Nursing Program at Northeastern University, Jackie worked hard to become the admirable nurse she is today. She puts everyone before herself and only wants to help in any way she can, especially by making people laugh. She is always there for her family and friends and her patients always come first. Jackie is the one you want by your side when it’s your worst day, and when it’s your best day.
She is the most fun to sit next to at a Red Sox game and loves Fenway more than anyone I’ve ever met. Last year we went to Jerry Remy’s remembrance game in April, and in true Jackie fashion, she cried and grieved with strangers around her at her favorite place. Swapping stories of how cancer has affected each of them, talking to her like they’ve known her for years and all of them talking like they knew Rem Dawg personally.
Now, an experienced nurse who worked through Covid, she comes out on the other side hopeful. These past couple of years haven’t been easy on her, or any other nurse. But she still always holds on to her mantra she adopted from her dad, “keep your head up” she will say to her friends, her family, and her patients, and a little whisper to herself every now and then to get through. Her dream was always to work with Mass General nurses in Boston who took such great care of her father, but she has found her calling and a family at Lawrence General where she can make a difference in other unexpected ways. Last year she was the only nurse to be nominated by all other nurses for the “compassion award” on the Telemetry floor at Lawrence General. This year she is receiving a service award for being a loyal employee at LGH for 5 years.
Whenever Jackie is at Fenway she says, “Three lefts, and I’m home”, but to her friends and family, SHE is our home. Fenway is her favorite place and after the perseverance and compassion she has shown as a nurse, if anyone deserves recognition there, it’s her! Her hope is that one day she can inspire other people to follow their dreams, just as she was inspired by other nurses!
Samantha Peck Dionne
Thank you for this amazing opportunity to be recognized during this year’s nurse night at Fenway. It has been a journey to get to where I am today, but I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. Growing up, I was strongly influenced by my grandparents who were also in the medical field (and avid Red Sox fans). Initially, I had chosen forensic science as my career path. It wasn’t until my grandma fell ill and other life events occurred, that I realized that nursing is actually what I was meant to do. After receiving my initial undergraduate degree in 2019, I decided to go back to school for nursing. Little did we know, a global pandemic would hit and change the medical field completely. What was already a difficult program, turned into something that was even more challenging than I could ever imagine. However, I ended up graduating from the accelerated nursing program with my BSN from MCPHS Worcester at the end of 2020.
I have now been working as a psychiatric nurse at Southcoast Behavioral Health in Dartmouth, MA for a little over two years. Working in this field has opened my eyes to how prevalent mental health issues are and how severe they can really be, as we are currently in a mental health crisis in the state of Massachusetts and don’t have enough available beds for the patients that desperately need them. This field definitely isn’t for everyone and often comes with the question of “How do you do it”, but I absolutely love what I do. I will admit that some days are definitely harder than others, and you can be subjected to so much negativity, but it’s worth it in the end when you know you’re making a difference in your patients’ lives during their most vulnerable times. I love being able to see the transformation that happens between their admission to their time of discharge.
I am currently studying to receive my MBA in healthcare administration and also working towards becoming a SANE nurse in the future. It is my goal to be able to further advocate for such an underserved community of individuals, as many people don’t realize that mental health is just as important as our physical health. I couldn’t thank my family, friends, and coworkers for all their support throughout the journey that has gotten me here, as they all have truly had such an impact on my growth and who I am as a nurse today!”
Katherine Johnson
Nomination:
“Katherine Johnson, Kathy, has been a childbirth nurse for 31 years. She works at MGB Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton, Ma. She has helped deliver thousands of babies in our western Mass community. I have been with her when families have approached her, beaming with pride as they show their child that she helped bring into this world. She was with my own daughter when she delivered her second baby and kept everyone calm when there were complications. She worked through Covid and is an avid Red Sox fan! We have been going to nurses' night at Fenway for years and it is her dream to through out the first pitch. She has been my best friend for over 40 years and I would love to give her this gift!! Thank you for considering her!"
Sam Soto
Nomination:
“Sam is an amazing mother, fiancé, nurse, and friend. She, unfortunately, received the devastating news that she was diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic breast cancer. Though this diagnosis has been a shock to Sam, her family, and her friends, she has gone into this new diagnosis full force with so much bravery and courage to fight! Anyone that knows Sam would know she will give someone the shirt off her back. She even turned to TikTok as a platform to serve as an advocate for breast cancer screening and prevention.
Sam has always been a fighter. Along with the dedication she has to helping those in need she also served in the Air Force to help her country. As a fellow nurse, I couldn’t be more privileged to witness her strength firsthand. Sam deserves the recognition to be honored tonight for being an exceptional nurse and someone that I am truly lucky to call my friend. #sammystrong"
Laura Creed
I currently live in Bridgewater with my husband Jim and my 3 beautiful children, Bridget (5), Emma (2) & William (1). My 11-year nursing journey has been spent with my amazing colleagues at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, specifically on the one and only 8AB: Burn/Trauma, Renal Transplant unit. My inspiration to become a nurse is allowed to my later mother Bridget Walsh, who lovingly helped so many people in her time, first as a midwife in England and finishing her nursing career at Carney Hospital. I feel fortunate to continue to carry on her legacy and hope that I can be half the nurse and person I have heard she was!
Tatenda Bomba
Nomination:
“In life, you never know what is going to impact your decision on which certain direction or path that you should take. She lost her father at age 8 and when she was 16 years old she had the unfortunate experience of losing her mother. Several months after her mother’s death, she moved to Dracut, Massachusetts. Nothing seemed more frightening than being a teenager and having to start fresh at an American High School. Depression was a saving grace, she has admitted. Going to college through the traditional route was never an option for her. There was no way that she could have to afford it, her aunt and uncle did not have the money either. What they did have were precious words of wisdom about how education in the United States was a strong foundation to ensure a bright future. They instilled deeply in her mind that once she obtain my college degree, no one could ever take that away from me. Her aunt was a nurse and she saw what joy it gave her to help people. It made her think back to how her parents had passed away, and that was the moment she I realized that she wanted to become a nurse as well.
The only question that came to mind then was, “How was she going to make her dream a reality?” Through research, she found out she could become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in less than a year and she would not have to come up with nearly as much money as you would have to pay for the tuition costs of a traditional college. She became an LPN and started to make some money. Then got her Associate's Degree in Nursing. She worked for several years, then finally finished her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing.
Her path to becoming a Registered Nurse was rather difficult and long. It was not the traditional route, but with ambition and perseverance, it happened. She now has her mSn. She is a med/surg nurse, who is also an adjunct nurse. She is very passionate about diversity in nursing. She is on DEI committees and is trying to increase minority nurse numbers through education. Representation is key! She hopes that when minority students see her that they will be inspired to be nurses, too. Tatenda is an excellent nurse and person "
Noelle Sullivan
Nomination:
"I am honored to nominate Noelle Sullivan, who is an incredible nurse that I work with at the West Roxbury campus of the Boston Veteran's Affairs Healthcare System. She serves those who have served. She treats every single Veteran with unyielding compassion, patience, and extraordinary care. She has caught multiple cases in which the patient's vitals were only slightly off and has saved their lives. We had a Veteran who was sadly terminal and she made sure that the multiple medical teams (it can be chaotic) stayed in constant contact with each other. She went above and beyond in her role, staying late (after 12-hour shifts) to ensure that this patient was comfortable, clean, and not in any pain. She coordinated care with the family and ensured that the patient passed away peacefully. All of the nurses know that they can go to her for guidance and support. She is the 'go-to' person in her personal life as well, saving the lives of family and friends. She is truly gifted in her knowledge and expertise. I would want her to take care of me and my loved ones. She is also a BIG Red Sox fan. She is the perfect intersection of Red Sox fan and inspiring nurse."
Prizes:
All Ten Nurse honorees received the following prizes:
- Gales Shoes
- Fabletics Scrubs
- Wine package courtesy of NuWest Staffing Agency
Nurse Kelli Neville Sang The National Anthem!!
The votes have been tallied and Nurse Kelli Neville has been named the nurse to sing the National Anthem at Red Sox Nurse Night 2023!
About Nurse Singer Kelli Neville
My name is Kelli Neville, I am a Pediatric Nurse at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) for Children in Boston, MA. I was born and raised in Massachusetts and have been a lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox.
My nursing career started in 2019 as a Burn Nurse at MGH, where I eventually transferred to pediatrics in 2021. I have always had a passion to care for others and knew this was the career path for me. Recently the Boston Bruins national anthem singer Todd Angilly visited my unit, and I had the honor to do a little impromptu concert with him at the nurse’s station for the patients and staff. It was amazing to be able to incorporate two very important things to me, nursing and singing!
My love for singing started when I was little, performing for family members at holiday gatherings. That led to performing in church choirs and eventually I made my way to the stage. I started my singing career at Riverside Theatre Works where I performed with the traveling singing troupe ‘Mixed Emotions’ & ‘Sweet Harmony’. We performed all over the Greater Boston Area during the holidays & summer months. I have always loved honoring our country by performing the anthem at special events and as a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan, it would be the ultimate dream come true to do so at Fenway.
When I first heard about the possibility of singing the national anthem at a Red Sox game, I was so excited, and it made me even more excited that it would be on a night that would honor others in my field. Nurses are incredibly caring and selfless people, and what better way to celebrate all the amazing nurses out there than by getting a chance to perform the National Anthem at a Red Sox game to thank them for all they do, each and every day.
Thank you in advance for your vote & hopefully I will see you on the diamond!
Nurse Auditions
Crown Rational (Alyssa Boldt & Stevie Lynne)
"Crown Rational is an eclectic duo featuring award-winning local music artist Stevie Lynne and trained vocalist Alyssa Boldt from Spokane, WA. Both performers are Registered Nurses who have been on the stage since childhood. With music and harmonies that are both eclectic and emotive, Crown Rational is a heart-stirring local duo, striving to put a different spin on the familiar and new alike.
Both of these singing nurses are former Co-Chairs for the Washington State Nurses Association, leading nurses in contract negotiations for safe staffing, sick time and workplace violence. Stevie Lynne has spoken multiple times on the House/Senate floor in Olympia on behalf of nurses and Alyssa has been involved in nurse/patient safety during the COVID pandemic with her work on committees and with state leadership officials."
Kathryn Grumley RN, BSN, CCRN
"Kathryn Grumley, RN, BSN, CCRN is an experienced Emergency Department/ICU RN who is also a professional opera soprano. She has performed in multiple opera roles and venues throughout the United States, as well as internationally. Over the years, she has sung the National Anthem for many organizations ranging from Naturalization Ceremonies for new American citizens to a Triple-A Minor League baseball team.
Between opera performances, Kathryn, or Kat as her friends know her, works as an Emergency Department nurse, primarily at a Level 1 Trauma Center and academic medical center. Other highlights of Kathryn’s 13-year nursing care include working in a liver, kidney, and pancreas transplant unit, the Neuro ICU, and the Medical/Surgical ICU. She worked full-time as a crisis ED and ICU nurse both domestically and internationally during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Kathryn has also worked as a member of medical/nursing emergency response teams for various sporting events at both the collegiate and professional levels.
Kathryn would be honored to sing the National Anthem on behalf of all the dedicated nursing professionals who will be attending the 6th Annual Red Sox Nurse Night at Fenway on May 17th if you will provide her that opportunity by voting for her. "
Elizabeth Bedenbaugh
My name is Elizabeth Bedenbaugh. I have been a nurse for over 20 years. I work at Mass General Hospital in the Blake 12 Surgical/Medical ICU. I've been singing since I was a child. Music makes life so much better. I travel the world doing medical missions in my spare time and no matter where I go there is a song in my heart prodding me onward.
Barb Brien
Barb Brien has been an RN at Mass General for the past 23 years. Most of her career was spent in the Medical ICU working alongside the greatest colleagues the profession has to offer. Barb currently runs the Wang 5 motility lab which offers specialized GI testing to ambulatory patients. In terms of singing, Barb has been doing it all of her life and has most recently started performing at Riverside Theater Works in Boston’s Hyde Park. She has participated in many main stage productions including Sister Act, RENT the musical, The Bodyguard, and Dream Girls. You can also see Barb in an upcoming production of BEEHIVE the 60’s Musical coming to RTW this fall. It would be Barb’s distinct honor to sing the national anthem and represent all the nurses that have been working non-stop since COVID-19 hit in 2020!
Kelli Neville
My name is Kelli Neville, I am a Pediatric Nurse at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) for Children in Boston, MA. I was born and raised in Massachusetts and have been a lifelong fan of the Boston Red Sox.
My nursing career started in 2019 as a Burn Nurse at MGH, where I eventually transferred to pediatrics in 2021. I have always had a passion to care for others and knew this was the career path for me. Recently the Boston Bruins national anthem singer Todd Angilly visited my unit, and I had the honor to do a little impromptu concert with him at the nurse’s station for the patients and staff. It was amazing to be able to incorporate two very important things to me, nursing and singing!
My love for singing started when I was little, performing for family members at holiday gatherings. That led to performing in church choirs and eventually I made my way to the stage. I started my singing career at Riverside Theatre Works where I performed with the traveling singing troupe ‘Mixed Emotions’ & ‘Sweet Harmony’. We performed all over the Greater Boston Area during the holidays & summer months. I have always loved honoring our country by performing the anthem at special events and as a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan, it would be the ultimate dream come true to do so at Fenway.
When I first heard about the possibility of singing the national anthem at a Red Sox game, I was so excited, and it made me even more excited that it would be on a night that would honor others in my field. Nurses are incredibly caring and selfless people, and what better way to celebrate all the amazing nurses out there than by getting a chance to perform the National Anthem at a Red Sox game to thank them for all they do, each and every day.
Thank you in advance for your vote & hopefully I will see you on the diamond!
Catherine Donato - VOTE NOW!
Catherine Donato is a registered nurse and professional singer who grew up in Bedford, Massachusetts. She currently serves her community as a pediatric nurse in Lexington, but you might have previously seen Catherine center stage with Kahootz Entertainment, providing spectacular vocals for weddings and private events all across New England. She has always had a profound desire to lift other people up, whether it’s the patients she cares for or audience members who listen to her sing. She would love to bring Boston sports fans even higher by returning to Fenway Park to perform another rendition of the anthem, after appearing before the Red Sox mid-pandemic in 2021.
Nicole Proto
I have been singing as long as I have been walking! I always wanted to pursue singing as a career, however, reality does eventually hit and I found a passion in working with children. I became a pediatric nurse in hopes to bring the power of music to help heal sick children.
Annie
My name is Annie I am 32 years old. I am a registered nurse in the ICU at Tristar Summit Medical Center in Nashville TN. I am originally from Syracuse, NY and I have been singing since I was 5 years old. Singing is one of my passions when I am not working at the bedside.
Anny Howard
I’m 36 years old and live in Methuen Massachusetts with my boyfriend, our 4 kids and our dog. I’m an emergency room nurse at Mass General Hospital which is my absolute passion and calling. My second passion is music and I sing anywhere and anytime I get the chance! It would be an immense honor to sing the national anthem at Fenway Park for Nurses Week.
K.Avett (pronounced "kay uh vet")
K.Avett (pronounced "kay uh vet") is a phenomenal recording artist/songwriter and Registered Nurse whose sound is as authentic and beautiful as they come. Although categorized as Soul/R&B/Jazz, her interests in other genres have shaped her unique style and helped garner a growing fan base worldwide. In 2018 she was awarded the Indie Soul Grammy Award for outstanding artists by Soul Cafe Radio. With a smooth and soulful sound as transparent as the lyrics she writes, K.Avett continues to pick up momentum and branch out as the sound of thought-provoking, “feel good” music.
When asked about her future aspirations, she remarks, “Touring and sharing my music around the world, while being able to do this for years to come, and collaborating with a few of my musical idols, ranks high on the list.” K. Avett's quest to showcase her growth as a songwriter and producer was front and center with her sophomore album, Lioness. Partnering with production heavyweights Ty Macklin and Jordache V. Grant, the project hit the National Billboard chart for R&B Albums Top 100. It peaked at #1 on several UK Soul Charts and has received huge praise from soul music lovers across the globe. Reaching the National Billboard for 8 consecutive weeks, she was a Soultracks 2018, best album, and best female vocalist nominee. She pens, "This album touches on several topics and above all, speaks to discovering your truth and embracing your inner strength. Every single one of us can reach our greatest potential - in life, love, and finding happiness. This is the very essence of the 'Lioness' movement."
The emergence of the Coronavirus pandemic in 2019 led to an unavoidable hiatus as she joined her nurse colleagues on the front lines, traveling to various states from Nevada to Illinois and Massachusetts. Music was never far from her heart, however, and K.Avett is back in a creative space & penning material for her upcoming, as yet untitled EP with a release date TBA. In the meantime, she continues to share her "healing power of music" philosophy and is looking forward to many performances throughout this year.
The singer won:
- Flight included
- One night stay in a nearby hotel included
- Tickets for the singer and one guest provided
Other Events!
Nurse ICON Award winner, Jonathan V. Llamas is to be honored on the field!
Thousands of nurses voted for Dr. Jonathan V. Llamas, Nurse Practitioner as the 2023 Nurse ICON of The Year! Jonathan will be honored during the pregame ceremony.
