December 2025
December 2025 Sparrow Spotlight: Susan Bird, NP received the aware for her treatment of a patient and family during their end-of-life care.
Susan Bird, DNP, AGPCNP-BC, ACHPN, a nurse practitioner in Palliative Care at University of Michigan Health-Sparrow Lansing, has been named the December recipient of the health system’s “Sparrow Spotlight award. In her role, Bird specializes in managing complex symptoms and providing holistic support to patients with serious illness and their families.
Bird was nominated for her exceptional treatment of a patient and family during their end-of-life care. The nomination highlighted her unique ability to integrate expert clinical management with profound compassion, a cornerstone of palliative medicine.
Those who nominated Bird emphasized that her care is defined by extraordinary compassion. She is noted for her calm presence, gentle approach and heartfelt support, which bring crucial peace and dignity to patients and families during life's most challenging transitions.
She spent extensive hours managing the patient’s comfort and providing unwavering support to the grieving family, ensuring dignity and peace. Bird also guided fellow team members through the emotionally challenging case, sharing her expertise in pain management and psychosocial support.
“Discussions are very difficult,” Bird said. “To know that I helped someone is why I do what I do.”
The Sparrow Spotlight award recognizes employees who exemplify the health system’s core values of compassion, dedication and professionalism in service to patients and colleagues.