I have known Mary “Deb” Darbee for many, many years. I first met her when I was a dialysis nurse and she a nurse on 4D (intensive care intermediate unit). She always puts her patient and their family first. She is the ultimate advocate for our NICU babies. She provides care above and beyond what is expected. She will change her schedule if she knows her primary patient is having surgery or a procedure. She keeps in touch with families long beyond discharge. She takes meals to parents of babies in the NICU and to her sick coworkers. She has been a chemo buddy to one of our NICU nurses who has been battling cancer of 4 plus years.
Deb serves on the Ethics Committee. She is focused to deliver the best and safest care possible.
Deb goes out of her way to help others even when she is not "on the clock". The story I am going to tell you about Deb shows how caring she is...
While trying to get to her own doctor's appointment, Deb saw an elderly woman driving in the parking deck. The woman was confused and lost. Deb stopped and asked her if she could help. The woman was in the wrong parking deck all together. Deb got in the car with this woman, a stranger, and got her to her appointment safely. In the process making herself late for her own appointment and accidentally leaving her keys on the seat of the woman's car. There are many more stories like this about Deb.
Deb is one of the kindest souls you will ever meet. She is truly loved by her baby's families.