Colleague Spotlight: Shannon Irwin and Lauren Demarco

The DAISY Foundation is an international recognition program that rewards and celebrates the extraordinary, compassionate and skillful care given by nurses every day. We are proud to recognize RNs Shannon Irwin and Lauren Demarco, Trauma ICU, with this special honor.

In nominating Shannon and Lauren, one of their colleagues wrote, “We all know that pediatric nurses are a special breed. They must mentally prepare every day for the heartache of caring for a sick child. I think what’s more special, though, is a nurse who normally cares for adults suddenly given the task of caring for a child without the mental preparation. I’m nominating both Shannon Irwin and Lauren Demarco for their care of a 15-year-old boy that came into the Trauma ICU after a horrific car accident.

The worst of his injuries included head trauma that did not offer promise of recovery from the get-go. I could see this realization in Shannon’s eyes as she worked tirelessly to provide the best care. Not only was she caring for this 15-year-old boy, she was also caring for his family. There was a moment in the room after I had helped Shannon take him to CT that spoke to the kind of brightness and light she brings to her nursing care. His wires, tubes and various other contraptions were a tangled mess after the trip. The patient’s dad made a comment about how he always found a way to wreak havoc. Shannon responded lightly, “He seems to still be wreaking havoc even when his havoc is being restricted. You really did a number on these wires, [patient’s name].” Shannon’s fun spirit was such a comfort to his dad in that moment that he chuckled.

A couple of days later, the family made the tough decision to withdraw care. They said they wanted him to have nurses that he knew with him in his last moments. Shannon called Lauren in to also be with him as his family had grown equally fond of her. Lauren had just worked a 12-hour shift, but came in without a second thought a few hours after leaving to be with him. I’ve never seen such ease in making a horrific moment brighter as Shannon and Lauren did. They talked to the family as if they were lifelong friends. The way his family trusted them with all their hearts was as if Shannon and Lauren were the big sisters of the family. They both offered strong support whiles also showing the human side of nursing that most of us try and mask. Tears were shed, hugs were shared, and even laughter filled his room during such a difficult time. There was an instance where the family requested that Shannon stay with the patient while they all stepped out briefly so that he could be with someone he knew. I walked in the room to check on her and she was standing at his bedside holding his hand. A guardian angel. Later on, Shannon and Lauren printed his heart rhythm strips as keepsakes for the family…Two guardian angels.

The patient passed away later that night with all his family, including his two new “big sisters” at his bedside. The death of a child is not an easy thing to ever witness, but Shannon and Lauren created an atmosphere that made people want to smile amidst the tragedy at hand. They were all things to this family: phenomenal nurses, supportive friends, and loving members all at once, while also facing probably one of, if not the most difficult situations of their careers.

As a new nurse, I’m inspired by the level of love these two provided the boy and his family. Most nurses have big hearts, but this degree of selflessness goes unmatched. It’s not every day you see colleagues become angels on Earth, but Shannon and Lauren somehow managed to give a 15-year-old his wings. I’m honored to have the privilege of working with such rare gems, and even more honored to see them receive recognition for such a difficult task that they handled with a sense of unwavering service and strength.”

Thank you, Shannon and Lauren, for exemplifying our promise to Care Like Family.

Click to nominate an extraordinary nurse, learn more about our Level 1 Trauma Care and explore careers available at HCA HealthONE.