A Legacy of Service and Selflessness: Department of Nursing Awards Inaugural Dara Frigoletto Scholarships
Nursing leaders and scholarship recipients gathered with Dara Frigoletto’s loved ones during a reception celebrating the scholarship. From left: Bee Baldeo, Camille Sanabria-Cooper, Alex Machajewski, Mary Staude, Nada Wakim, Peter DeFeo, Pamela Linzer, Nejla Williams, Kathleen Colarossi, Cesar Alberto Bonilla-Ramos and Katie Fillipon.
Accepting the inaugural Dara Frigoletto Nursing Scholarship last week held special meaning for Kathleen Colarossi, BSN, RN, and Nejla Williams, BSN, RN, who are among the five recipients.
Both cared for Ms. Frigoletto on Braunwald Tower 16CD, compassionately tending to her physical, emotional and spiritual needs before she passed away of cancer. The bonds they formed with her and husband Peter DeFeo during this time inspired DeFeo to establish a scholarship for BWH nurses in his wife’s honor.
Colarossi wrote in her scholarship application about the impact that Ms. Frigoletto, a passionate activist and philanthropist who lived a life of service to others, had on her personally and professionally.
“Dara believed in serving humanity,” wrote Colarossi. “She was able to make changes not only for the environment in which she lived, but for vulnerable populations as well.”
Colarossi shared that Ms. Frigoletto knew how to advocate for herself as a patient, articulating what was important to her throughout her illness and sharing that with her care team.
Nejla Williams, Peter DeFeo and Kathleen Colarossi reconnect during the reception.
“By following what Dara had asked of her care team, it allowed me to conceptualize the meaning of patients having a voice in their care and exemplified relationship-based care,” Colarossi wrote. “Through Dara, I came to appreciate activities of daily living, understand the meaning behind patients having a voice and advocating for patients under my care. To be a nurse is to serve humanity. To be Dara Frigoletto’s nurse was to understand how humanity shapes our professional practice.”
DeFeo recalled the comfort and reassurance he and his wife felt in the care of both Colarossi and Williams, among many other team members.
“One of the most powerful observations I can share is that Kat always made Dara’s good days even better, and on the more challenging days, Kat was able to help Dara find pockets that were truly better,” he shared.
As a nurse-in-charge, Williams alternated between caring for Ms. Frigoletto and ensuring that the nurse assigned to her had a deep understanding of her needs. Her attentive and comforting approach left a lasting impression on the family. “Nejla brings a calm and steadiness when she enters a patient’s room and immediately earns the trust of her patients and their caregivers,” said DeFeo. “She always provided that added level of assurance to Dara and me.”
After Ms. Frigoletto’s passing, DeFeo set out to honor the nurses who cared for her and support all Brigham nurses in pursuing their educational goals. The scholarship he established in his wife’s name will provide up to five nurses each year with $10,000 scholarships to purse advanced degrees and continue their professional development.
“From the stories Peter has shared, I know that Dara lived her life with others at the center, devoting her time and energy to giving back in any way she could,” said Katie Fillipon, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, deputy chief nursing officer and vice president of Nursing and Patient Care Services, during the scholarship reception on Sept. 6. “We are humbled and deeply touched to receive this gift and have a part in carrying forth Dara’s beautiful legacy.”
Camille Sanabria-Cooper and Joanne Frigoletto, Dara’s mother, connect during the reception.
DeFeo, along with family members and loved ones, attended the reception. He spoke of the impact that Brigham nurses and his wife’s nurses at home had on them throughout her illness.
“Beyond the medical tasks that are part of your day, you all take the time to get to know your patients,” he said. “For a patient like Dara and a caregiver like me, during a serious illness over a long period of time, you became such a source of support and comfort. You became members of our family.”
In addition to Colarossi and Williams, scholarships were presented to Cesar Alberto Bonilla-Ramos, BSN, RN, of the Dialysis Unit, Camille Sanabria-Cooper, BSN, RN, of the NICU, and Mary Staude, BSN, RN, RNC-NICU, IBCLC, of Lactation Services.
“The knowledge and experiences our scholarship recipients acquire through their education will have a ripple effect, benefiting not only themselves but also their colleagues, patients and loved ones — today and for generations to come,” said Fillipon.