Kimberly Cipriano
October 2022
Kimberly
Cipriano
,
BSN, RN, CCRN
CVICU
Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital
St. Petersburg
,
FL
United States
When my family or friends knew a difficult day was coming up, like if C had a procedure, they would ask "Is Mama Kim going to be there today?"
I would like to nominate Kim for the DAISY Award for the amazing care she provided our son, C, and our family during our almost 4 months stay in the CVICU. Kim cared for C in multiple modalities- bedside nurse, ECMO specialist, and CRRT specialist. For such a little guy our son required lots of attention! No matter what role she was playing in C’s care any given day, we always knew he was getting the best.
Kim would ask us what questions/concerns we had or if we had anything special we wanted to do with C and would do her best to facilitate these requests with our team. Kim was the reason I got to hold C for the first time since his hospital admission when we had to change his bed. I think it took about 5 team members including Kim, to hold everything connected to my tiny one-month-old baby, but all I cared about was getting to hold him in my hands. I will never ever forget that day.
Second to the amazing care Kim provided to C, she also cared so much for E and me. She knew when days were tough and would take the time to sit down and talk to me, listen to my concerns and fears, hold my hand, give me tissues, or give me the biggest hug. When E had to go back to work and I spent days alone at the hospital, she frequently checked in on me, emotionally and physically. Making sure I took breaks as needed and got something to eat. She affectionately became known as "Mama Kim", thanks to one of our other amazing nurses.
When my family or friends knew a difficult day was coming up, like if C had a procedure, they would ask "Is Mama Kim going to be there today?" Kim made such a huge impact on our lives during this very difficult time. We wanted nothing more than to bring our sweet boy home with us and make memories with him and his brother. The memories we were able to make as a family and with nurses like Kim are so special to us. It took me a while to submit this nomination as the emotional rollercoaster has continued every day since C’s passing. But it was important to me, and I like to think it would be important to C, that we recognize what an amazing person Kim Cipriano is. We love you Kim!
Kim would ask us what questions/concerns we had or if we had anything special we wanted to do with C and would do her best to facilitate these requests with our team. Kim was the reason I got to hold C for the first time since his hospital admission when we had to change his bed. I think it took about 5 team members including Kim, to hold everything connected to my tiny one-month-old baby, but all I cared about was getting to hold him in my hands. I will never ever forget that day.
Second to the amazing care Kim provided to C, she also cared so much for E and me. She knew when days were tough and would take the time to sit down and talk to me, listen to my concerns and fears, hold my hand, give me tissues, or give me the biggest hug. When E had to go back to work and I spent days alone at the hospital, she frequently checked in on me, emotionally and physically. Making sure I took breaks as needed and got something to eat. She affectionately became known as "Mama Kim", thanks to one of our other amazing nurses.
When my family or friends knew a difficult day was coming up, like if C had a procedure, they would ask "Is Mama Kim going to be there today?" Kim made such a huge impact on our lives during this very difficult time. We wanted nothing more than to bring our sweet boy home with us and make memories with him and his brother. The memories we were able to make as a family and with nurses like Kim are so special to us. It took me a while to submit this nomination as the emotional rollercoaster has continued every day since C’s passing. But it was important to me, and I like to think it would be important to C, that we recognize what an amazing person Kim Cipriano is. We love you Kim!