Nurse Practitioner, Audrey Lopes, begins her mornings promptly at 6:30am. She is a part of a 6-person team that provides around-the-clock care for critically ill patients after heart surgery on our Cardiovascular Intensive Care and Cardiovascular Step-Down units at Charlton Memorial Hospital.

“What I like most about my role is that it allows me to witness a patient’s journey. I see them when they’re critically ill, when they’re discharged, at their follow-up appointment and then again when they’re actively engaged in life. There is nothing more rewarding than to see a patient thriving after surgery.”

Reflecting on her career choice, Audrey credits her love for cardiac surgery to her second-grade science project where she says she was, “obsessed with the heart.” However, it was right here at Southcoast Health that she found the opportunity to bring her education and passion to a leadership role.

A Southcoast Health Journey

Audrey’s journey with Southcoast began in high school when she would volunteer at our diabetes program. Soon after, she accepted her first job as a host in our food and nutrition department. This role brought her closer to patient care and is where she first saw how the dedication and compassion of all staff members is essential in a hospital setting.

From the kitchen, she transitioned to patient transportation where she gained experience in time management and patient comfort. Her stepfather, a retired paramedic, then inspired her to pursue her EMT certification and become an Emergency Department Technician.

“Working in the emergency department is where I truly discovered my passion for helping others,” she says. “This role also played an important part in the development of my deep admiration for cardiac teams.” Guided by her clinical interests, Audrey then decided to pursue a nursing degree and begin her journey in cardiac care.

Teamwork and Leadership

Now in her role as a Cardiac NP, Audrey uses the skills and lessons she learned throughout her career and was recently nominated for the Southcoast Health Medical Staff Provider Partnership Award by her colleague, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Rebecca Pereira.

“Audrey is the backbone of the team built around her,” said Rebecca. “She is kind, caring and compassionate. She graciously steps back to allow those on the team flourish.”

It is a recognition that Audrey says is an immense honor for her. “It signifies not only recognition of my dedication and contributions to patient care but also acknowledges the collaborative spirit I try to bring to my work colleagues,” she says. “I have learned so much throughout my career and I continue to learn from our exceptional team. My successes reflect everyone’s dedicated teamwork.”

Audrey’s journey here at Southcoast is an inspiring one and has made a meaningful impact on both patient care and our cardiac team.

If you are looking to step into a role where you too can make an impact in healthcare, consider joining us at Southcoast Health: www.southcoast.org/careers/