"Kathryn has good clinical skills and she exhibits the positive and compassionate care needed on an oncology unit," her nominator wrote. The nominator's brother-in-law suffered from stage IV esophageal cancer and was admitted to the oncology floor several times. "From the first time he was admitted to the last time he was admitted, Kathryn always had a positive, friendly, compassionate, and helpful approach," the sister-in-law said. "Every time Kathryn came in the room to talk to him, my brother-in-law would smile, which was rare in the last couple of weeks." The patient and his family appreciated Kathryn's exceptional nursing care. "She made a difficult time a little bit easier for us all," the nominator wrote. "We wanted her to know how much we appreciated her selflessness. Kathryn absolutely exhibits every characteristic of the DAISY Award and what it stands for."
Kathryn is described by her peers as an asset and an important member of the oncology team. Her clinical manager says that Kathryn came to oncology as a new nurse one year ago and has grown as a nurse since then. She also says that Kathryn is compassionate and comforts her patients and their families with her smile and gentle words. "Some of our oncology patients unfortunately do not have good outcomes and some change to hospice care. This transition from aggressive care to end-of-life care is not easy for any nurse, but Kathryn's tenderheartedness helps the patients and families through this difficult time."
Because of Kathryn's compassionate and caring efforts, her patients experience a level of care that exemplifies the impact nurses have in creating an environment where patients and families feel at home.