A Letter of Thanks After More Than Three Decades

Date: December 4, 2014

After 34 years at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and The Johns Hopkins University, I have decided to retire at the end of this year. Although I am very excited to be moving on to this next phase in my life, I am saddened to be leaving so many incredible friends. I cannot thank everyone from whom I have learned over the years, but I would like to share some examples of folks who have shaped me as a nurse and who have impressed me with their compassion and professionalism.

I worked as a Johns Hopkins Hospital neuroscience floor nurse and nurse manager from 1980 until 1987. I then transferred to the Department of Neurosurgery. This allowed me to care exclusively for brain tumor patients, working with Dr. Henry Brem. Taking care of this patient population most definitely requires a multidisciplinary approach. I want to say thank you to Deanna Macenka, Barbara Fitzsimmons, Jane Adams and Rita Pach (Nursing); Justin McArthur, Jaishri Blakeley and John Laterra (Neurology); Peter Burger (Neuropathology); Neil Miller (Neuro-ophthalmology); John Carey and Howard Francis (Otolaryngology); Stuart Grossman and Matthias Holdhoff (Medical Oncology); Larry Kleinberg and Kristin Redmond (Radiation Oncology); and Roberto Salvatori (Endocrinology). All of you make this a world-class brain tumor team.

In 1987, when I started working with Dr. Brem, I had the opportunity to care for patients in clinic alongside residents and fellows, many of whom went on to become attending neurosurgeons on our brain tumor team. I have learned so much about neurosurgery and expert patient care from the likes of Drs. Rafael Tamargo, Alessandro Olivi and Jon Weingart. Working with you has been a wonderful experience, and I consider each of you my friend.

And then there is the staff in our office that keeps Dr. Brem and me organized and on track. Thank you Holly, Denisea, Lisa and Ashley for all that you do. You make life easier and work much more organized. And you are fun to be around!

Most importantly, there are no words to describe how truly blessed I feel to have had the opportunity to work with Henry Brem. Henry, you have been so much more to me than a colleague and mentor over more than 27 years. Your clinical skills, leadership abilities, and research acumen are well known. But you have also been a loyal and supportive friend to me over the years, and I learned from you how important it is to have balance in life. Work is wonderful, but it is not everything! A well-lived life with family and friends is an irreplaceable gift.

Anyone who knows me knows that I prefer to stay out of the limelight and under the radar. So, when December 31 arrives, I will not need to give any speeches or thank anyone (probably in a puddle of tears!?). I can just hold up this heartfelt letter and say, “read this!” I will miss you all, but I will never forget my Hopkins family. Goodbye, and my love to all of you.

Eileen Bohan, R.N.