Southington Resident Jennifer Bourgoin Honored with the Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing

WALLINGFORD, CONNECTICUT, May 14, 2025 — Gaylord Specialty Healthcare, a nonprofit rehabilitation-focused healthcare organization headquartered in Wallingford, is pleased to announce that Southington resident Jennifer Bourgoin, BSN, RN, received the 2025 Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing.

One of Connecticut’s most prestigious nursing honors, the Nightingale Award annually recognizes nurses who go above and beyond the call of duty in various clinical and educational environments.

For nearly eight years, Bourgoin has cared for patients recovering from life-altering illnesses and injuries at Gaylord Hospital. Her peers say she’s known for the small, personal touches that make a big difference in her patients' lives.

“Whether helping a patient regain their confidence or simply making them smile, Jen ensures they feel truly cared for,” wrote one colleague.

“Beyond providing great medical care, Jen forms strong bonds with patients and families. She takes time to explain things in a way they can understand, ensuring they feel informed and empowered. She is also a fierce advocate, always putting her patients’ needs first.”

Her peers say that Bourgoin, a “kind and upbeat” nurse who ensures that her colleagues feel confident and valued, and that her infectious smile and warm demeanor make every shift brighter.

Bourgoin says that she enjoys having “the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in someone’s life.”

“My passion for nursing began when I saw the care my grandmother received while battling terminal cancer,” she explains. “Watching the nurses and my family come together to provide not only physical care but also emotional support showed me the profound impact of compassion. That experience made me realize I wanted to be someone who could offer that same comfort and hope to others.”

“Being there for people in their most vulnerable moments is an honor I never take for granted.”

About Gaylord Specialty Healthcare:
Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is a rehabilitation-focused, nonprofit health system headquartered in Wallingford, Connecticut, that provides inpatient and outpatient care for people at every point in their journey from illness or injury to maximum recovery.

Gaylord Specialty Healthcare is anchored by Gaylord Hospital, a long-term acute care hospital, and includes Gaylord Outpatient Services and Gaylord Physical Therapy for patients who require diagnosis and treatment on an outpatient basis. Gaylord's Milne Institute for Healthcare Innovation is a hub for accelerating world-class rehabilitative research, technology development and innovation to improve the quality of life and function of people around the world. Together, these entities deliver a complete continuum of rehabilitative care driven by clinical experience, innovation and human compassion.

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