Her frequent statement, "I can not imagine being any other kind of professional" explains her longevity in nursing. Ms. DeSetto possesses over 25 years of critical care nursing experience, including 14 years in ICU/CCU and over 15 years in the Emergency Department. Her experience and expansive knowledge base is an asset to our department.

Ms. DeSetto is a mentor, guiding new staff throughout their orientation. Her patient demeanor provides moments of learning in a chaotic environment, and her positive philosophy enables learning in every situation. Claire is a constant patient advocate. This can be seen very often in the trauma room where patient outcomes are precarious. She not only demonstrates advocacy as a principle partner in the trauma team, but more so when supporting families through a difficult period. Ms. DeSetto enables families to have a private area, affording emotional support and timely updates. All of these assets are attributes that are essential for her role as Relief Charge Nurse of the Emergency Department of Mercy Medical Center.

Remarkably, she has found the time to extend her talents to the community setting as the Coordinator of the American Heart Association Training Center at Mercy Medical Center, and as the Director of Operations of Health Training/Consulting. Ms. DeSetto is determined to spread the mission of the American Heart Association. Her inspiration comes from personally saving lives by using BLS and AED skills in the community setting.

Claire has been an ACLS Instructor for the Long Island Region of the American Heart Association since 1994, and is also an Instructor in Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Basic Life Support. She currently serves as ACLS Regional Faculty for the Heart Association, and is a member of the Heart Association's Regional Emergency Cardiovascular Care Task Force. She has presented emergency cardiac care topics at two of the New York State Nurse Association's conferences. In addition, Claire has co-authored the chapter on CPR for the e-medicine online Family Emergency Medical Guide.

Lastly, Claire has worked closely with the Acompora family of Northport to promote the use of AEDs in schools. Unfortunately, John and Karen Acompora's healthy 14 year-old son Louis died from ventricular fibrillation after being struck in the chest while playing goalie for the Northport High School's varsity Lacrosse team. This event inspired Louis' Law in 2002, whereby all public schools in New York state must be equipped with AEDS and personnel trained to use them.

Claire DeSetto, in all her humility, is the expression of what defines a professional nurse. Her talents extend to her profession and her community, but most of all, she has inspired her daughter to carry on the legacy of nursing. Nursing cannot continue to survive without mentors such as this.

Lori Persico, RN, MS
Department of Emergency Medicine
Mercy Medical Center