Nurse Kristy was a lighthouse for me in a very stormy sea. She was my nurse at Jefferson Healthcare in Port Townsend for two days post knee-replacement. I had serious unidentified pain. She helped me navigate through the dense hospital system - and despite being incredibly busy - she was steady and kind, and the only one to suspect - early on - that the catheter for an On-Q pain ball may have been disconnected.

Others increased my pain medication and assumed that I had a low pain tolerance. But Kristy knew something was amiss. She shared her concerns directly with my surgeon - in person - leading him to place an anesthesiology order to identify and remedy the situation. When the anesthesiologist came to the room with the ultrasound, he discovered the line was, in fact, detached from the catheter. The anesthetic was unable to provide relief.

Kristy assisted the anesthesiologist in administering a pain block that provided indescribable relief. Her tenacity, kindness, and advocacy for me from the start, made all the difference. Kristy is a shining star, and she deserves this award 100%!