The Cameos of Caring® Program & Awards pays tribute to the exceptional contributions of nurses working in acute care hospitals. Each year, honorees are carefully chosen not only for their exemplary service within their institutions but also for their profound impact on the broader healthcare community. These remarkable individuals are selected from various health systems, hospitals, and nursing schools in Western Pennsylvania, representing a diverse range of specialties, from anesthesia and oncology to education, intensive care, pediatrics, and emergency nursing.
We are thrilled to announce that Suellen J. Gallegos, MSN, CRNA, from UPMC Presbyterian has been recognized as one of the distinguished 2023 Cameos of Caring® awardees. She received the award at the Cameos of Caring® Awards Gala, which took place on November 4, 2023 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center.
Suellen has devoted nearly four decades of her career to the UPMC nursing team, proudly following in the footsteps of her mother and grandmother, both of whom were nurses as well. Through her extensive experience, Suellen has witnessed the profound and enduring impact that nurses can have on their patients. She remembers the case of a critically ill young patient who had suffered from sepsis after a ruptured appendix. Suellen, alongside her ICU colleagues, provided months of dedicated care until the patient was eventually transferred to rehabilitation and, ultimately, returned home. Today, that very patient has become a nurse, dedicating her life to helping others heal—a testament to the transformative influence of compassionate nursing care.
Beyond her clinical role, Suellen is a passionate advocate for the nursing profession. She consistently encourages others to embark on this rewarding career path and extends invitations to students to shadow her and her colleagues. Furthermore, as part of her onboarding responsibilities, she plays a crucial role in orienting newly hired post-anesthesia care unit nurses to the UPMC Presbyterian anesthesia service. Suellen also serves as the Chair of the UPMC Presbyterian Perioperative Professional Practice Committee.
Suellen expresses her pride in the UPMC team, who routinely care for some of the most critically ill patients in the region, guiding them on their journey to recovery. For her, the most rewarding aspect of her career is when a former patient not only recovers and returns home but also comes back to visit and express gratitude to the care team.
Congratulations to Suellen on this well-deserved honor!