Katie Culler
October 2025
Katie
Culler
,
RN IV
Emergency Department
Frederick Health
Frederick
,
MD
United States
In late 2024, my dad was transferred to FHH ED via ambulance secondary to vomiting up a massive amount of blood. ALS measures were initiated in the ambulance en route to the ED. My dad had a lower and upper GI bleed and was actively bleeding. Katie knew how critical my dad was when the paramedics gave her report.
The paramedics reported that an epinephrine drip was already started, which was not working to increase his blood pressure. Therefore, Katie had already made the attending aware of my dad's very critical condition. As soon as we walked into his room, the doctor was present, and I observed nurse Katie maintaining her composure while he gave multiple verbal orders.
I am also a nurse and was very impressed with how quickly she was able to critically think and smoothly move around my dad's room while remaining calm and collected the entire time. Katie showed empathy and compassion towards my mom, my brother, and me. She asked for assistance from other ED staff members to find us all chairs and anything we needed while we were there, which was about 8 hours prior to my dad being transferred to the ICU that evening. He was eventually flown to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.
She was able to administer a massive blood transfusion through the pump while my dad's blood pressure was around 60/30, while monitoring his vital signs and using her skills to assess my dad critically. She knew he couldn't fall asleep during all of this and was trying to find ways to keep him awake. My dad loves to sing, so I asked my dad to sing to Katie and another nurse who stayed by Katie's side the entire time my dad was admitted.
My dad ended up being admitted to multiple facilities over a five-month period and finally came home the following year. Katie called to follow up on my dad's condition and see how my mom was doing. My mom was very touched by how much Katie cared about my dad and his condition. I continue to keep in contact with Katie, and our family recently brought the entire ED Papa John’s pizza, drinks, chips, and desserts as a thank you for saving my dad's life that day in 2024.
My dad was very excited to see the staff, and especially the doctor and the two nurses who saved his life. I have worked in an ED, been a patient, and have accompanied family members to multiple EDs over the years, and I can honestly say the FHH ED is the best because of nurses like Katie Culler, who is extraordinary.
The paramedics reported that an epinephrine drip was already started, which was not working to increase his blood pressure. Therefore, Katie had already made the attending aware of my dad's very critical condition. As soon as we walked into his room, the doctor was present, and I observed nurse Katie maintaining her composure while he gave multiple verbal orders.
I am also a nurse and was very impressed with how quickly she was able to critically think and smoothly move around my dad's room while remaining calm and collected the entire time. Katie showed empathy and compassion towards my mom, my brother, and me. She asked for assistance from other ED staff members to find us all chairs and anything we needed while we were there, which was about 8 hours prior to my dad being transferred to the ICU that evening. He was eventually flown to MedStar Georgetown University Hospital.
She was able to administer a massive blood transfusion through the pump while my dad's blood pressure was around 60/30, while monitoring his vital signs and using her skills to assess my dad critically. She knew he couldn't fall asleep during all of this and was trying to find ways to keep him awake. My dad loves to sing, so I asked my dad to sing to Katie and another nurse who stayed by Katie's side the entire time my dad was admitted.
My dad ended up being admitted to multiple facilities over a five-month period and finally came home the following year. Katie called to follow up on my dad's condition and see how my mom was doing. My mom was very touched by how much Katie cared about my dad and his condition. I continue to keep in contact with Katie, and our family recently brought the entire ED Papa John’s pizza, drinks, chips, and desserts as a thank you for saving my dad's life that day in 2024.
My dad was very excited to see the staff, and especially the doctor and the two nurses who saved his life. I have worked in an ED, been a patient, and have accompanied family members to multiple EDs over the years, and I can honestly say the FHH ED is the best because of nurses like Katie Culler, who is extraordinary.