This nurse is dedicated, mission-oriented, & selfless. He anticipates the needs of our department and the needs of the patient. He is forward-thinking and plans to ensure excellent patient care is delivered and staff has everything we need to provide that excellent care. We recently acquired new equipment and he stayed well past his shift to make sure that the equipment was organized and ready for patient use. His problem-solving skills help to prevent potential problems or staffing concerns. He is truly committed to CHRISTUS. Blessed to work with and alongside him. While he provides critically excellent patient care, he also leads our team by adjusting work schedules to meet the staff's personal needs. He has a calm demeanor during many crises. He can see all perspectives of an issue. He sacrifices his own personal time for the department. He frequently cleans the department and organizes the supply room, ORs, and pyxis. Core values: Excellence: This nurse exceeds all expectations with patient care, documentation, and organization. He is truly a shining example of the CHRISTUS Mission. 

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Kirk is such a fantastic leader and nurse.  I actually left my job as a CRNA at Ochsner Shreveport after 17 years to work with and under this person. Since becoming a team member I have had the privilege of working with him.  He is such a hard worker, leading by example, and providing exceptional care. He frequently gets to work early and leaves late to ensure our department runs smoothly. I think in general our area is frequently overlooked for what amazing work we do, but in saying that, this nurse still stands out amongst the best of the best.  It’s hard to put into words how valuable and great he is, but it is so true!

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He has been a wonderful living example of the core values of CHRISTUS for all of his career with the health system. He displays compassion and integrity in all of his patient interactions, from his personal care for them to his accounting for supplies and medications used in their care.  This associate has served as lead nurse for 20 years, guiding our department in a manner that is fair and equitable to all associates. He has displayed good stewardship while selecting and ordering equipment and supplies used by the department, saving the system tens of thousands of dollars. He also accurately accounts for personnel time and pay. He has done all of this with little or no compensation for his time and efforts. He does all this simply because it needs to be done and he is willing to do it. 

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I have many stories about this nurse and the things he does for our team. He comes to work with a mindset that “we” are going to do the best job we can possible. Even when things don't go as planned. The amount of intricate Tetris playing that he navigates to make sure the patient load and care are covered is amazing. He plans the schedule months in advance to know who he may or may not have available to help when unforeseen circumstances arise.  I have a few examples I would like to share. 

The untimely death of a family member and a very unexpected cancer diagnosis for one of our own are two things that really come to mind. This nurse went through so much supporting his family and he was (for reasons unknown to anyone on earth) able to keep things organized and mentally keep himself together. I was actually in a church Community Group with him at the time so I saw firsthand at and away from work what he was like. His strength and focus on others around him at that time just reinforced what I already know about his strength as a leader and as a Christian. Then also the amount of intentional thought he put into supporting our co-worker while making as many Schedule arrangements as possible to meet the team's needs was mind-boggling. It was like watching that scene from Good Will Hunting when Matt Damon looks at the math problem on the board, grabs a marker, and solves it. Not many people I know could look at the department the way he does and make things go.

Then my favorite clinical story to this day involves this nurse and about half the nurses in our department. This nurse had just put a CABG patient to sleep. There was an emergency dissecting aortic aneurysm in the ER that needed to go now! So he sent out a group text with specific requests. And it was the most well-organized chaotic moment I have ever witnessed as a CRNA. This nurse orchestrated the wake-up and turnover of the CABG room patient. Then the prep work and turnover for the aneurysm which we lined out in the PACU, and in the OR. Then administered blood from the level one while having every available hand on deck for the two most dangerous times of that case. Induction and opening of the sternum. The whole time he was as calm, cool, and collected while making requests, communicating with all of us, and reassuring the patient before he was asleep that we would take the best care of him. Because of his planning and his communication each time things were touch and go he was prepared and that patient lived. He actually walked out of the hospital a few days later. I can honestly say this person was one of the biggest reasons that guy made it. He knew what he needed, whom he needed, and how to organize it. That’s why he’s the best at what he does.

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This associate is an amazing CRNA. We are extremely blessed to have his leadership for our department and team. I am not sure that you would find someone that works as hard and is dedicated as this nurse. Our work and care of the patient are behind the scenes and unseen by the patient or leadership. The level of integrity he has is unmatched. He can be found coming in early, staying late, and answering calls, texts, and emails whether he is working or not. He makes himself available and provides sound advice and counsel for patient care and management. Our department, like others, has experienced being shorthanded with staffing, however, we have been fortunate to meet each need due to his leadership and planning. For example, we have a 7wk repeating work pattern. This is very helpful to each of us because we can personally plan ahead. It also allows for everyone in the department to know and plan personally while ensuring the needs of the hospital are being met. He is very thoughtful and respectful. He has the foresight and planning constantly on his radar. This is seen in how he coordinates and manages our team and supply management. He advocates for our department in every way - staffing, resources, education, and safety, regardless of the need he stands in the gap to ensure it happens. Our team crosses multiple different departments and care areas from surgery to recovery, Cath lab to labor and delivery, and everywhere in between. He takes a collaborative approach with other leaders and teams to provide the best care possible.

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I have had the privilege to work with Kirk Cason in the Perioperative Arena in numerous roles:  Scrub tech, Registered Nurse in the OR, Charge Nurse in the OR, and a leader in the Anesthesia department as CRNA. His vast knowledge and skills strengthen our Surgery, Endoscopy, Labor & Delivery, Interventional Radiology, 
The cancer treatment center, and Cath lab departments. He gives excellent care to each patient he gives care to daily. Kirk has been instrumental at keeping a close-knit group of CRNAs at Christus and is loved and respected by each CRNA and everyone in Perioperative Services and throughout the hospital.
He is an excellent teacher to all members of the perioperative team. He keeps patient safety at the forefront of his daily work and instills excellence in the CRNA staff. 

He consistently assists in providing coverage for numerous anesthesia locations always trying to meet the needs of all units. When I think of Kirk these are the words that come to mind:
Brilliant, Organized, Respected, Thoughtful, Timely, Problem Solver, Consistent, Competent, Teamwork, Integrity, Passion, Collaboration, Outstanding, Professional, Gifted, Excellent

It has been my honor to work alongside such an outstanding person.