Katie is absolutely amazing. She clearly cares about my well-being sincerely. Not only do we connect on many personal levels (TV shows, social media, personal at-home stories) but she casually opens up to me while efficiently getting her work completed in my room.

I never feel like I am too much or interrupting her from helping someone else (which I know I am). She makes me feel heard and seen. So many times, on so many levels of nursing. (i.e., ICU, Emergency, and on an upper floor) I have experienced different types of care from different nurses. Never once in all my medical care have I felt truly like a human and that I matter. She makes me feel like a friend who cares and supports me, all while more than efficiently doing her job above and beyond what is asked of her.

My very first night as her patient, I asked her to fix my bed head hair because it was getting tangled in the back. She said, " Sure, walked away, and came back with a brush and more time than she had, I’m sure, and brushed all my knots out and put my hair into a nice and efficient bed-friendly style bun. It’s little acts like that throughout my entire care with her that just make me feel special, heard, and like a human. Not a blank face with numbers on paper somewhere.

Katie deserves this award ten times over, day after day, for how amazing, caring, and attentive she is. She is one-of-a-kind in the best way possible. I wish I could come in and nominate her every day. Please give Katie everything she deserves for being 1,000% wonderful! I think this means a 1-day trip to Hawaii, but I’ll settle for this award that she earns every day without asking for anything in return, and making me feel special.

You’re the best, Katie.