It is not often that you have the opportunity to know someone who makes so many contributions in a lifetime. A devoted wife and mother; a friend to many; someone who could just make you laugh-a lot; an advocate and researcher who helped enlighten healthcare providers on how to manage patient's pain; an educator who loved teaching students; and someone who would drop just about anything to help NAON succeed in good and difficult times.
In orthopaedic nursing, we have been so fortunate to know that special person-Teresa A. Pellino. When I first met Terri, she was a staff nurse on the spine unit at Rush Presbyterian St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago and shortly thereafter my graduate student at Rush University College of Nursing. From the very beginning I knew she would be a "shining star" and a person that I would be proud to call a colleague and friend. I remember asking Terri if she would assume the role of Director of Education for NAON. I knew her well. There was no doubt in my mind that she would be able to take on that challenge. From that point on, Terri took on numerous leadership roles for NAON. I would call Terri a "quiet" NAON leader who worked tirelessly for the association. As cliche as it sounds, Terri was NAON's "go to" person when a difficult situation needed to be managed. I don't believe Terri ever said no to NAON.
Of course, there are other people in Terri's life who were more important than anything else. Terri always glowed when talking about Tom, Mike, or Katie. They were the lights of her life. When sharing stories about their children, Terri was always very proud of the accomplishments of both Mike and Katie. I recently read that Tom claimed to be the "luckiest man in the world." There is no question that the feeling was mutual.
As a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin, Terri was admired by her students and peers. It was not uncommon for Terri to spend an evening with student nurses enjoying each other's company. The staff at the University of Wisconsin Hospital as well as the faculty knew the impact that Terri had on staff and faculty. A colleague stated, "the School of Nursing lost a wonderful, caring and inspiring nurse and educator yesterday." Terri's touch, no doubt, will impact nursing care of many for decades.
Terri had a particular interest in pain management. She authored numerous articles on this topic and mentored future nurse researchers who specialize in understanding pain management. The contributions that she made to this area will provide comfort for patients into the future.
Terri joined colleagues Ann Butler Maher and Susan Warner Salmond as editors of the most recognized text on our specialty-Orthopaedic Nursing. They were part of the solution in recognizing orthopaedics as a specialty.
For the last 2 years Terri dealt with a prognosis that would make most of us curl up and quit. Not Terri. She faced her disease with strength, courage, and grace. Many people learned a lot from her these last two years. She continued to live and love life despite months of difficult treatment. In reality, there was no reason to be surprised. That was Terri!
I have received many e-mails during these last few days from NAON members who reflected on Terri's life.
* "She will be missed and leaves a tremendous legacy in the character of her family and within her profession."
* "Terri was a wonderful volunteer and NAON tapped into her skills many times. She was instrumental in helping us create the robust education division that we have today."
* "Terri was such a good person; always smiling and oh so intelligent; she will be missed."
* "Terri was a true gift to many."
I am not sure that Terri would necessarily be happy about the recognition in this editorial. Terri just did "her thing" with no expectation of honor or praise. Terri's legacy is that she lived a full life, making amazing contributions to her family, friends, students, colleagues, and patients.
Mary Faut Rodts, DNP, CNP, ONC, FAAN