Kari Fulk was my first day nurse after being admitted. Fear, uncertainties, and a lot of failures were happening in my body that many in the medical field at the hospital were left without answers as to what was happening in my body. Numerous doctors with specialties in different areas seem to be normal for my case and visits in my room.

Kari was in my room when one such doctor started breaking things down about my body, but still did not have answers. Karli listened intently without interruption. I then watched Kari slide out of the room at a fast pace. Thinking about another patient, another job duty, but Karli did not say anything, just up and out of the room.

What I did not know was that when Kari was listening to the doctor while in my room, she put her education, her knowledge of what she thought was going on with me. Kari and the cardiologist came into the room and with affirmation from the doctor things started happening at an extremely fast pace. STAT echocardiogram, would reveal a condition that if it weren’t taken care of in an immediate fashion, death would be imminent in a short time. I was rushed to the OR and a procedure was performed with complete success, with improvements to every aspect that was failing in my body. Kari’s knowledge, her extreme attentiveness, and a caring spirit that helped me make it through some very dark hours is something that few in the nursing field carry.

She is a professional first and foremost. Her education became a tool to save my life. Her ability to sit on the edge of my bed and tell me calmly we are working on every angle to save your life gave me peace beyond just the care I needed during a crisis. My emotions ran high upon discharge knowing that she saved my life by bringing attention to others that were missing a piece of my puzzle. She gave me hope, she went above and beyond. I told her numerous times that I have seen nurses go into the field for a career, she is doing it with passion and proved to me that she was called into this profession with the utmost respect.

I had several stays, emergency visits, and numerous medical staff that I dealt with, and I am alive and gaining strength daily with enough tenacity to write this note to let you know that Kari is by far the greatest asset that The Toledo Hospital has within its organization. I will live out my life as I heal knowing I could never repay the acts of nursing that Kari used on me to save my life. I am forever indebted to her and the bond I gained with her during my stay. I still have a long road of healing to go. But I also have a lifetime of gratitude to Kari and her extreme professional knowledge in saving my life. My love for her and what she did for me will last a lifetime and more. By far Kari Fulk is the best of the best!