Tracey DeWire, MSN, ACNP-BC, had a 16-year career in sales before deciding to become a nurse practitioner, a decision inspired by her best friend’s cancer diagnosis. She’s kept that inspiration burning in the 15 years of her second career.
Her patients have benefited from the kind of compassion that typically comes only from a friend. DeWire spends extra time learning about her patients and takes notes to remember key details about their lives, so that she can meaningfully engage with them during their visits at the Vanderbilt Breast Center. Her patients know they are remembered and appreciated on a personal level.
It shouldn’t be a surprise that not just one patient, but four of them, nominated her for a Patient and Family Choice Award. She is the 2024 recipient of the award in the ambulatory care category, and one of six VUMC employees chosen this year to receive a Patient and Family Choice Award.
Nominations are submitted by patients and families. The award honors employees from across Vanderbilt who act with compassion and excellence to provide an exceptional experience for patients and their families. This year, Vanderbilt’s five patient and family advisory councils bestowed awards to six individuals from Vanderbilt University Hospital, Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, Vanderbilt Psychiatric Hospital, Vanderbilt Adult Ambulatory Clinics, Vanderbilt Wilson County Hospital and Vanderbilt Tullahoma-Harton Hospital.
“Tracey is the most caring, concerned individual I have contact with during any of my health care at Vanderbilt,” one of the patients wrote. “She conveys a sense of genuine, personal involvement in my health care. She always remembers something from our last conversation to break the ice. This is inordinately important as in this situation (breast clinic) everyone is quite anxious as to any changes which may have occurred since one’s last visit. She is gentle in her examinations making sure to preserve privacy and is calmly reassuring. She is always open to discussing and explaining any question that may be posed regarding my care and offers a true sense of caring and quiet reassurance.”
Besides being an engaging conversationist, she’s a nurse who makes things happen for patients.
“I found a lump and texted Tracey my concerns,” a second patient wrote on a nomination form. “She immediately worked me in and arranged for imaging even though I was not previously scheduled. She dispelled my fears immediately, and all turned out fine! Her care and compassion for me when I was scared was unmeasured. She has been my provider for years and never fails to put my health and concerns first! She is truly a gem!”
But it’s her personal engagement that patients kept bringing up.
“Tracey is personable and approachable. She makes me feel like I’m more than a patient because she really wants to know what is going on in my life. She is a treasure,” a third nominator stated.
A fourth patient said DeWire’s presence changes how she feels about going to clinic appointments.
“I have been seeing Tracey for several years now,” the patient wrote. “She is incredibly warm and kind and makes a point to ask about me and my family. She remembers past conversations. She is genuine and sincere, and you can tell she truly cares about her patients and enjoys her role. She makes what is an uncomfortable appointment actually pleasant.”
DeWire, a Nashville native, who graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville with a major in communications and advertising, had a successful career in medical device sales before she decided to change career paths.
“My best friend, Stephanie, was diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer when we were 25; she passed at 34,” DeWire said. “That was in 2001. That just led to a searching of wanting to do something that directly helped folks with cancer. I considered social work, but I ultimately applied to the Vanderbilt School of Nursing. I went through the bridge program and graduated in 2008. I have been at the Vanderbilt Breast Center since 2009.”
On a typical day, she sees about 20 patients. That’s a lot of personal stories for her to keep up with, so she doesn’t rely just on memory.
“I start with my notes early before clinic,” she said. “I don’t go into the room blind at all. I have reviewed everything and reminded myself what they are coming in for, what issues they may have happening with their personal lives or in their own health outside of breast care. I always ask and make notes about what’s happening in their families, whether it be a difficult illness or a loss of a family member or perhaps a daughter who has graduated high school and is in her first year of college. Then I’ll ask how her daughter’s first year away from home went. I make sure that patient feels remembered, and that they are not just a number.”
DeWire is also beloved by her co-workers. Every recipient of a Patient and Family Choice Award receives special recognition and treats during a surprise presentation. Her colleagues did more, organizing a lunch celebration and giving her tokens and words of appreciation.
The care that DeWire gives extends beyond the clinic. In her spare time, she’s a mother to seven rescue chihuahuas and two rescue cats, including one that had kittens this year.
