Katrin received four separate nominations including the first one signed by 35 members of her unit. During this pandemic, the ICU staff have been taxed with more patients that are sicker than ever, and with less staff to care for them. As our leader, Katrin Junghanns-Royack, RN, has been here on the unit every day, and I mean literally every day. She is not locked away in an office though. She puts on the extensive, oppressive PPE and hits the ground running with us. She has provided the staff the ability to give compassionate and thorough care by being an amazing hands-on help on the unit.

On top of all she does on the floor, she is quietly working behind the scenes, doing her administrative duties of making out scheduling, recruiting staff, handling unit issues, and managing timecard tasks. Yet Katrin always prioritizes the well-being of staff and patients. She believes that if the staff are well taken care of, we can take care of our patients well. Despite this, sometimes we just cannot be at two places at once.

She jumps in to care for the most vulnerable patients in their most vulnerable time. And just one of the many examples of this, was when I had an elderly patient who was dying of Covid. Her family had been called in, dressed in PPE and allowed a short visit to say goodbye. The patient slipped into unconsciousness. The family gratefully thanked us and headed home. At this time, I received a new admit that was very sick also of Covid and needed my immediate attention. Without saying a word, Katrin gowned up, CAPR helmet on, and she stood by my patient holding her hand for over an hour until her heart stopped beating. She just didn’t want her to be alone. The family would never know this kindness was done, but I did. It allowed me to focus on my other patient with a full heart knowing that Katrin was there to ease her into her next existence. I’ve heard and seen many other instances that Katrin has shown great care and compassion for patients and staff. She does all of this without regard to recognition or acknowledgment. Right now, no family would see or know of the exemplary care she provides. No one would know that she is a great strength in holding up all of the critical care staff while we are fighting every day. Katrin is truly extraordinary.

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Katrin is an enormous asset to this organization. She is able to combine exceptional leadership, clinical skills, and enthusiasm to lead the ICU & Telemetry units in providing excellent care. She does not falter. She is always calm and steady through the array of hardships her unit has seen over the past couple of years. She shows up at all times of the day or night to ensure nurses are available to provide care to our patients and is always happy to do it. She is enthusiastic about the work we do and inspires that same energetic passion in everyone that works with her. She is truly appreciated as a person, nurse, and director.

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It is because of Katrin’s continued commitment to the department that has helped all ICU RNs make it through the past two years. She is honest, approachable, fair, kind, and always willing to take a minute to talk. Be it with staff or patients, Katrin is always willing to go the extra mile and lead by example. I myself am only in the ICU/Tele because of her leadership style. She has helped to make being an ICU RN a fun and rewarding experience. If nothing else, I hope she understands just how much heart she brings to the ICU and to the staff as a whole.

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I remember when Katrin first came to ICU/Telemetry from the Med/Surg unit. She was energetic and excited to expand her practice and skills. Even though we worked different shifts, I could see that she was meticulous to a fault and was always advocating for her patients. There were times I would receive a hand-off report from Katrin and I could see first-hand the critical thinker she was – I’d always have a great start to my day if I followed Katrin. Needless to say, she excelled in the critical care environment – going from staff nurse to charge nurse. Her professionalism and leadership made her an excellent candidate for the ICU/Telemetry director position. From the get-go, Katrin demonstrated the true meaning of nurse leader; leading by example in every way – from bedside nurse to department leader. She is flexible and gives people the benefit of the doubt. Katrin believes that everyone has a voice and should be heard. She never settles and fights for what is best for our patients and staff. She is unbiased, caring, very detail-oriented, approachable, resilient, and best of all has a wonderful sense of humor. Katrin is not afraid to roll up her sleeves and pitch in. Working side by side and putting in the extra hours as the rest of the staff does to meet the needs of the unit, Katrin inspires and motivates staff – she elevates our unit to a higher level. Katrin believes that everyone plays a key role and treats them with the utmost respect which in turn, empowers and drives the unit staff to excel. She encourages professional growth and education. She promotes transparency and team culture. Since taking the position in 2017 Katrin has completed her Master’s degree in Nursing and has become an ACLS instructor and teaches classes here at OMC. She has ensured that all RNs have the education and processes needed as critical care nurses by instituting the NIH stroke scale certification, bedside reporting, early mobilization of ventilated patients, and the Clinical Opiate Withdrawal Scale process to name just a few. I have worked at OMC in the ICU/Telemetry unit for almost 20 years and Katrin has created the best atmosphere in my time – not just here at OMC but of any of the ICUs I’ve worked. It is a true team environment where every member is and feels valued. Our success as a unit comes from a great leader which Katrin Junghanns-Royack is! Thank you Katrin for all your hard work and dedication to staff, patients, and families. You are truly an inspiration to all and it’s an honor to work with you!