If I could describe Kari Duke in two words, they would be Compassionate and Patient. Kari is the epitome of the Patient Experience. In her short time as a nurse on the Trauma Unit, I have seen amazing things from her. I truly believe she is an angel to many of our patients and their families. Just this evening I saw Kari interact with a patient and his father that made me re-evaluate the patient experience I provide. She has set some high standards. While Kari has been taking care of a young male with a significant head injury she has been taking care of his father at the bedside as well. She has offered education and emotional support. She has offered patience, hugs and tears.

While the young man recently moved out of ICU and the whole head injury is scary in itself to the father, I saw Kari provide him comfort and support. I heard the father say, "Kari, I am so glad you are my son's nurse tonight." I heard him say this in the first two hours of the shift and I completely agreed. I then was amazed when I saw how above and beyond Kari went to emotionally support the patient and his father. Kari sat at the patient's bedside holding his hand while charting. The patient did not need a sitter to stay safe, but he needed someone for comfort and Kari provided that. To Kari this was no big feat, but the patience this took amazed me. I saw this patient go from kicking and being anxious to being completely relaxed and interacting with Kari calmly while she sat with him. While Kari sat with this patient holding his hand the father finally got some much needed rest. She had difficult conversations with the father and rode the emotional rollercoaster of head injury with him without any negativity. Kari provided amazing care to the patient and his father. She set a high standard. Kari Duke is the Patient Experience!