On January 22, 2014, our dear colleague, Doris Barnie, MSN, RN, CGRN, CNS, left this world, leaving behind a legacy in gastroenterology nursing that will likely be unmatched. I think of Doris as the "first lady" of gastroenterology nursing. She started her practice in our specialty in 1970 and through the years served as an outstanding leader, teacher, clinician, manager, and role model to hundreds of nurses in gastroenterology practice.
Doris's many contributions include being a founding member of the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (SGNA), founding president of the early NewYork/New Jersey Regional Society, cochair of the first standing committee for gastroenterology nursing certification, past president of the certification board, member of the SGNA board of directors, and author of the original certification review course (now named in her honor). Within our organization, she received highest honors, including the 1987 Gabriele Schindler Award, the 1996 Distinguished Service Award, and 2012 Board of Directors Award. In honor of Doris's many contributions to our Society, the third general session at each SGNA Annual Course is named after Doris.
Doris was also an interprofessional leader. For many years, she directed the gastrointestinal nurses and associates component of the New York Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (NYSGE) annual postgraduate course, which has been named in her honor. In fact, she was recently honored by NYSGE as the 2013 Florence Lefcourt Distinguished Service Award honoree for her years of service and leadership in gastroenterology practice.
Personally, Doris was a dear friend and mentor to me through my years in SGNA. After being appointed to the Certification Board of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates (CBGNA) (now the American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses [ABCGN]), where I first met Doris, she continuously coached, mentored, and supported me through my career and years of service to SGNA. Just a few months before her death, I received an e-mail from her talking about her plans to write another manuscript for the journal!
I loved benefiting from Doris's wisdom and insight, but my favorite memory is her wonderful ability to tell stories about the early years of SGNA and ABCGN, providing hilarious historical facts of the early days. And the way she would tell those stories-with a straight face until the very end, when she would flash her mischievous smile and have a sparkle in her eye that always tickled me. She was steadfastly encouraging, always wise, honest with her criticism, but kind in delivery of that feedback.
Doris Barnie has left a legacy for all of us as an amazing leader, teacher, mentor, visionary, and exceptional nurse clinician. Thank you, Doris for a job well done. You will live in our hearts and memories for many years to come as a colleague we aspire to be like in every aspect of prorfessional nursing. We honor you dear friend. Job well done.