Meet Our Jupiter FL 2015 Nurse of the Year Nominee

Every day, a growing number of dedicated nurses care for aging adults and people with complex medical needs inside their homes, administering daily medications, providing relief from the symptoms and stress of a serious illness, and managing personalized plans of care. To pay tribute to the specialized and tireless work of thousands of nurses throughout the network, BrightStar Care launched a national Nurse of the Year program to recognize the nurses who are working hard to deliver A Higher Standard of Home Care each and every day. This year, our Director of Nursing Maria Ducker was nominated. Here is the nomination letter about Maria: The BrightStar Care Jupiter/Martin office would like to nominate Maria Ducker RN, as nurse of the year.  Maria is a positive role model and an inspiring representative to our office, caregivers, and nurses. She provides leadership and knowledge, securing that we meet the “BrightStar Higher Standards of Care.”  She has been instrumental in our office receiving the Clinical Excellence Award.  Maria is equally devoted to our clients for their safety and comfort.  Her passion in the professional practice of nursing is driven by a strong desire for excellence in patient care and quality outcomes that reflects BrightStar Care Core Values.  Self-assured and calm natured, Maria consistently provides patients with exceptional care even with the most difficult situations.  Our infusion patients adore Maria.  Maria’s experience and expertise with infusions allows here to perform infusions painlessly and effectively every time.  She continues to see infusion clients who are difficult to access to ease their anxiety of multiple sticks. On another occasion, Maria was instrumental in procuring a ramp for a Humana member.  This member was not able to afford the much needed ramp for mobility.  Maria didn’t stop until she found someone who would construct the ramp, which required a specific design, and once completed, delivered it herself. Her skills as a charge nurse in a Hospital Emergency Dept., IV therapy, injection therapy, and the many skills and experiences, too long to list, are instrumental in the care of our patients. A few of the many testimonials to her sense of commitment from our clients and their family members:             “Maria Ducker is a professional & knows how to do a difficult IV line.”              “Maria the nurse coordinator, that came out was kind and really listened.” “Maria was on target with any issues we had & took care of them professionally and quickly.” Maria earned an Associate’s Degree in Nursing from Broward Community College.  She is a member of several organizations, such as the County coalition of Emergency Dept. in Palm Beach County and Member of the ER Nurses forum in Palm Beach County.  In her spare time she volunteers as a Girl Scout leader for the community. Her commitment to quality care is an inspiration to all.  We nominate Maria Ducker - without any reservations – for Nurse of the Year.