JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. –
National Nurses Week is May 6-12, 2016. Take a moment to thank the many dedicated nurses and medical technicians who play a monumental role in providing trusted care anywhere.
Suzanne Bucci, a volunteer nurse with the Red Cross for 34 years, has accumulated over 40,000 hours with the 779th Medical Group on Joint Base Andrews. Since she separated from the Army, Bucci has volunteered at every location her husband was assigned during and after his Army career.
"Suzanne Bucci has shared her nursing expertise with a compassionate heart," said Dr. John Baxter, Director, Pentagon Flight Medicine Clinic. "Bucci provided healthcare as an OB/Gyn nurse practitioner with limited resources to women and children in Albania during a critical time in that nation's history. With the heart of a teacher, she taught Albanian nurses how to care for pregnant women and the children. While in Bosnia during the post war time, her heart was broken for lack of optimal care for rape victims in the community. After identifying this incredible need, she developed and implemented a gynecological project to provide care for rape victims."
When Bucci returned to the United States, she chose to help the "nation's finest" in the Pentagon.
"The first day she volunteered was September 11, 2001. Bucci was in the Pentagon during the attack. Before receiving orientation, she provided care to the wounded without knowing where any supplies or equipment was located. Dust and debris contributed to the confusion, but she was focused on providing care," said Dr. Thomas Piazza, Program Manager, Air Force Acupuncture Program. "That is the type of person she is. Suzanne sees a need and fills that need."
"During the healing process from the attack and the regrowth of the Pentagon, she was exposed to an emerging health intervention within the military using acupuncture to provide pain relief for the wounded warriors she treats. She carried this knowledge from the Pentagon Flight Medicine Clinic to the Acupuncture and Integrative Medicine (AIM) Center on Joint Base-Andrews, MD," said Dr. Stephen Burns, Chief, AIM Center. "Suzanne Bucci has become an integral part of the AIM Center."
Along with physician acupuncturists, she delivers a unique approach to providing patient treatments that included acupuncture and integrative medicine techniques for a wide variety of conditions, such as chronic pain, smoking cessation, musculoskeletal conditions, mental health conditions, and so much more.
"This type of care has never been defined for nursing practice. Bucci didn't let it stop her. She created a unique niche for nurses by learning specific electric modalities and was a perpetual student of the acupuncture art. Bucci has become an expert in these pain relief techniques. She serves professionally as an educator, counselor, and nurse in the high-volume center - always taking a moment for those needing a shoulder to lean on or a hug for support," said Dr. Richard Niemtzow, Director AIM Center. "Suzanne Bucci has trained several physicians, Uniformed Services University medical students, nurses, and medical technicians. She was asked to teach electric modalities at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. She uses a hands-on approach teaching style. Bucci has, without a doubt, influenced the next generation of healthcare professionals."
"Bucci connects with patients on a personal level helping them understand their medical condition and teaching them how to improve or manage their condition. She makes accommodations for people to come when it is convenient for their schedules," said Baxter. "She has outstanding energy and enthusiasm each day, as she comforts, consoles and cares for the war wounded, tired, and traumatized clients. She is an outstanding volunteer nurse and is the epitome of a devoted nurse to patient care."