Brandy Burd honored with UNC Health Lenoir’s 2025 Faye Sugg Award
UNC Health Lenoir recognized Brandy Burd with the prestigious Faye Sugg Award.
The Faye Sugg Award was established in 2004 by the Lenoir Hospital Foundation to honor the legacy of Faye Sugg, a beloved and iconic nursing leader who dedicated her life to advancing patient care and nurturing future generations of nurses. A symbol of excellence and compassion, Faye was widely respected for her leadership, her commitment to clinical excellence, and her unwavering dedication to education and mentorship. Throughout her distinguished career, she received numerous accolades and played a pivotal role in shaping the values of professionalism and healing care among hundreds of nursing students and colleagues.
Presented annually during National Nurses Week, the Faye Sugg Award is the highest honor bestowed upon a nurse at UNC Health Lenoir. It celebrates a lifetime of outstanding contributions to the nursing profession, particularly in the areas of leadership, clinical practice, and education. Recipients are nominated by their peers, fellow nurses who recognize their exceptional dedication and impact.
Portraits of Faye Sugg and each award recipient are proudly displayed in the hospital's main hallway, serving as a lasting tribute to those who exemplify the highest ideals of the nursing profession. This year, Brandy Burd will join this esteemed group of honorees, with her portrait now set to be added to this display.
Brandy Burd, BSN, RN, began her career at UNC Health Lenoir in 2007, immediately after graduating from nursing school. She quickly distinguished herself as a capable and compassionate nurse. She earned a promotion to charge nurse in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), where she thrived in the fast-paced, high-acuity environment. In 2015, she advanced to the role of house supervisor, becoming the youngest nurse to hold that position at the time. Her leadership and commitment to excellence led to continued progression: she was named Manager of the ICU in 2018 and promoted to Nurse Director in 2019.
Brandy is truly an exemplary nurse and leader. Her unwavering respect, courtesy, and consideration for everyone she encounters set a high standard for other nurses. She is well-respected not only by her colleagues at UNC Health Lenoir but also by the broader community. Walking the halls with Brandy is a testament to her impact, as she is frequently stopped by former patients, family members, or visitors who remember her kindness and the positive experiences she created. Her commitment to the hospital is deeply rooted in her compassion for family, friends, and the community. She often says, “We have to make Lenoir the best place to receive care because that’s someone’s family member in that bed, and one day it could be ours.”
Her dedication to ensuring that patients and their families feel seen and heard goes beyond her daily responsibilities. This compassionate connection is a key reason why so many patients return to UNC Health Lenoir. Brandy’s pursuit of excellence is evident in how she holds herself and her team accountable, even in challenging situations. She is reliable, meeting every deadline, returning every email, and responding to every call or text, no matter how busy her day gets.
Congratulations and thank you to Brandy Burd for always providing exceptional care without exception.
About UNC Health Lenoir
UNC Health Lenoir, licensed for 199 beds, is a nonprofit hospital serving the Lenoir County area with acute, outpatient, and community health services. The hospital has a 118-year history of providing excellent care to the community. In addition to general medical, surgical, and obstetrical and gynecological care, UNC Lenoir offers specialized services including interventional cardiology, pulmonology, oncology, radiology, and urology. Surgical specialties include general surgery, vascular, orthopedic, and bariatrics. UNC Health Lenoir affiliated with the UNC Health Care System in 2017. For more information or to find a physician, visit unclenoir.org.
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