Pamela Duggan Runs the Boston Marathon to Give Back to the Hospital That Saved Her Baby’s Life

For Pamela Duggan, RN, of Medfield, MA, every mile of the Boston Marathon is personal.

The longtime Tufts Medical Center nurse, mother of three, and first-time marathoner isn’t just running the iconic 26.2 miles this April—she’s running for Tufts Medical Center and the people who not only helped her patients over the years but once saved her own child’s life.

After 28 years working at Tufts, Duggan is deeply woven into the fabric of the hospital. But it’s her youngest son, Danny, who has given her the most powerful reason to lace up her running shoes.

When Duggan was 27 weeks pregnant with Danny, a routine prenatal check-up quickly turned into every parent’s nightmare when the medical staff realized Danny’s heart was beating way too fast.

“They were concerned that if it wasn’t do they induce labor,” Duggan recalls. “If they did induce labor early, he could have had chest tubes, and his heart would have had to been shocked into the right rhythm.”

Danny was diagnosed in utero with fetal atrial flutter, a rare and dangerous heart rhythm disorder. Thanks to the expert care of the team at Tufts Medical Center, doctors were able to manage the condition, allowing Duggan to carry her pregnancy to term safely. Today, Danny is a healthy 16-year-old—one of three reasons Duggan is proudly running the 129th Boston Marathon this year.

“My children Samantha, Charlie, and Danny were all born at Tufts, and I’ve worked there nearly three decades,” Duggan says. “They may not realize the impact they’ve had on me and my family. It’s so nice to give back to the people I work with, to say thank you.”

While running her first marathon, Duggan admits there’s likely no holding back her emotions.

“I’m trying to figure out which part of the marathon I’ll cry first,” she says with a laugh.

And who could blame her? For Duggan, this isn’t just about crossing a finish line. It’s about honoring her colleagues, her family, and the hospital that’s been at the heart of her career and her most vulnerable moments.

At Daily Nurse, we’re thrilled to name Pamela Duggan our Nurse of the Week for turning gratitude into action, putting her heart and miles into giving back to the place that once gave her so much.

Congratulations, Pamela, and good luck on Marathon Monday!

Nominate a Nurse of the Week! Every Wednesday, DailyNurse.com features a nurse making a difference in the lives of their patients, students, and colleagues. We encourage you to nominate a nurse who has impacted your life as the next Nurse of the Week, and we’ll feature them online and in our weekly newsletter.

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Renee Hewitt

Editor-in-Chief at Springer Publishing

Renée Hewitt is a seasoned writer, editor, and content strategist with a 20+ year background in PR, marketing, and storytelling. She curates impactful content that informs, inspires, and advocates for the nursing profession. Her work spans healthcare, wellness, lifestyle, and thought leadership—always with an eye for engaging narratives that connect with audiences.