Benson, AZ, Resident Honored as a Tucson Fabulous 50 Nurse

Tucson Nurses Week Foundation honored Benson resident Brandy Owen, RN, as one of their 2016 Tucson Fabulous 50 Nurses. The award was presented at a gala on Friday, May 6 at Loews Ventana Canyon Resort to kick off this year’s Nurses Week.

Owen serves as director of the BAYADA Home Health Care office in Sierra Vista, which provides in-home care so adults or seniors with chronic conditions or recovering from illness or injury can remain safe at home. Services include nursing, physical therapy, speech language pathology, occupational therapy, dietician services, and medical social work.

The Fabulous 50 Nurses were chosen from throughout southern Arizona by their peers for their role modeling and mentoring of others, concern for humanity, and their contributions to both the Tucson community and the profession of nursing.

According to BAYADA Division Director Cassie Mitchell, Owen goes above and beyond for her clients in so many ways and is a true example of compassion, excellence, and reliability.

“We had a client whose goal was to ride his horse one last time,” explained Mitchell. “When the physical therapist told Brandy the story, she gathered the team to make it happen. She coordinated the location, workers, family members and the professionals to oversee the equestrian event. Brandy was there to witness the joy from this client with a terminal illness and the family was grateful that Brandy made it happen.”

After serving as an aircraft mechanic in the US Navy, Owens entered the healthcare field as a second career. She has worked in varied positions including hospital housekeeper, certified nursing assistant, patient care technician, and registered nurse. That experience provides her with a unique perspective while running the busy Sierra Vista office and ensuring Cochise County residents are receiving excellent care in their homes.

Owen’s contributions to her community are vast and longstanding. She is very active at Benson High School, where her two sons have attended, with clubs such as 4H, FFA, wrestling, and soccer. She is also involved in the benevolence committee at her local church, co-leads youth leadership training, coordinates a Christmas gift and food drive, and serves as team captain for various charity walks.