Karen Gerstle
August 2022
Karen
Gerstle
,
BSN, RN
Rehab
Baptist Health Louisville
Louisville
,
KY
United States
During my extensive wound care with the wound nurses and changing of my dressings and wound vac, Karen will always come and hold my hand.
I have been in the hospital this time since October 2021. I have been through fourteen surgeries related to my above-the-knee amputation and infection. My amputation has had multiple revisions due to not being able to heal. Karen has brought me Premier Protein shakes (that Baptist Heath does not carry) because I need more protein to heal my wound. She has also brought me protein snacks, nuts, and turkey sausage links. She has decorated my room for Valentine’s Day. Karen has also placed inspirational quotes & decorations around my room. During my extensive wound care with the wound nurses and changing of my dressings and wound vac, Karen will always come and hold my hand.
There were multiple times when the outcome of the wound was not good and another surgery was necessary. Karen has helped me so much while being here for such a long time in the hospital and on this unit. I feel like I would have gone crazy being here for so long if it was not for her, always, checking on me and being here for me….physically and emotionally. Although so many nurses have been wonderful, Karen is the most amazing nurse I have had throughout my stay in the hospital. I could not imagine going through this without her.
Additional information from Nurse Manager: I met with the patient several times during leader rounding. She would be almost in tears when describing the care, compassion, and dignity Karen provided. Karen would bring several protein enriched items that “tasted good” to the patient. Karen would buy these out of her own pocket and NEVER told anyone she was doing it. The patient had multiple revisions to her amputation. Her wounds would not heal and continue to reopen.
Karen was awarded Nurse of the Year and Excellence in Nursing - Rising Star Award last year. She truly is an amazing nurse and so deserving of this accolade. Karen provides this excellent care, consideration, and kind-heartedness to every one of her patients. She frequently decorates the rooms of patients, and brings in special things for them, like their favorite snacks, music, etc. Some of our more complex patients stay on our unit for months. Keeping their spirits up is crucial to their recovery; for many, rehab is their last stop before home. Patients easily fall into despair when they see that transition get further and further away. Karen provides care not only to the patient’s physical self, but to their spiritual and emotional self as well. She is a true advocate for her patients and we are so very blessed to have her!
There were multiple times when the outcome of the wound was not good and another surgery was necessary. Karen has helped me so much while being here for such a long time in the hospital and on this unit. I feel like I would have gone crazy being here for so long if it was not for her, always, checking on me and being here for me….physically and emotionally. Although so many nurses have been wonderful, Karen is the most amazing nurse I have had throughout my stay in the hospital. I could not imagine going through this without her.
Additional information from Nurse Manager: I met with the patient several times during leader rounding. She would be almost in tears when describing the care, compassion, and dignity Karen provided. Karen would bring several protein enriched items that “tasted good” to the patient. Karen would buy these out of her own pocket and NEVER told anyone she was doing it. The patient had multiple revisions to her amputation. Her wounds would not heal and continue to reopen.
Karen was awarded Nurse of the Year and Excellence in Nursing - Rising Star Award last year. She truly is an amazing nurse and so deserving of this accolade. Karen provides this excellent care, consideration, and kind-heartedness to every one of her patients. She frequently decorates the rooms of patients, and brings in special things for them, like their favorite snacks, music, etc. Some of our more complex patients stay on our unit for months. Keeping their spirits up is crucial to their recovery; for many, rehab is their last stop before home. Patients easily fall into despair when they see that transition get further and further away. Karen provides care not only to the patient’s physical self, but to their spiritual and emotional self as well. She is a true advocate for her patients and we are so very blessed to have her!