Karen is always focused on work, even before herself. While battling illness, Karen still was so concerned about getting back to work to take care of her patients. I have watched her continue to work, despite having complications and still maintain a positive and caring attitude with a smile on her face, even though she might not be feeling her best. Karen makes sure she is still making phone calls to educate patients in between her having to get units of blood, platelets, and plasma the very same day. She has even taken time to contact some of her patients while they were in the hospital to check on them and see how they were doing.

This illness has not slowed Karen down from providing excellent teaching and care to patients, their families, and staff members. Karen has found creative ways to adhere to her restrictions but still provide patients with everything they need. She has a dedication to being exceptional in all that she does and displays characteristics of a true real-life Superhero. Diabetes education is sometimes an overlooked or forgotten department, but Karen is a true diamond within it and I am so very fortunate to witness her true acts of kindness and selfless love for her patients and her job.