It is with great pleasure and pride that the staff of the Main PSC nominates our colleague, Lori Gofter to receive the DAISY Award. Lori has been a critical care nurse with over 30 year’s experience. Her career at MSKCC began 10 years ago with the opening of our off site in Commack. She is a CNIV that joined the PSC team four years ago. She has become an integral part of our team. She is our role model, an exceptional clinical nurse and a committed patient advocate.
Lori establishes a special connection with all of her patients and families. She has an amazing presence at the bedside. She gives 100% to her patients. Her approach with patients and their families encourages open dialogue and the development of a trusting professional relationship. She is respectful of patient differences and non judgmental when delivering care. There are so many examples that I can give about Lori and her ability to “give” and “comfort” patients. I have witnessed her relationships many times in the PSC. She has the ability to diffuse a situation and make it bearable for both patients and families.

The one story that stands out is a relationship she has developed with a 33 year old patient. She took care of this patient prior to surgery and became the only RN that could phlebotomize her without difficulty. This patient was extremely anxious, fearful and was struggling with her diagnosis. The patient came to rely on and trust Lori because she always put her at ease. Lori was also always successful with her IV and blood draw, she never had to stick her more than once! The patient felt this was a gift. Every time the patient needed blood work she would call Lori and ask her to come to the unit she was on to do the required blood work. Lori never said no, and coordinated this into her day. Lori often came in on her day off to meet this patient and take her blood for the staff. Lori went above and beyond by sacrificing her own time to make this patient’s care at MSKCC easier.


Lori is a well respected member of our team. She guides and supports staff in resolving issues and supports staff autonomy. She is a teacher and is always willing to share her knowledge. Lee DeLince CN III states, “Lori is tirelessly willing to help us all - and is a great educator -- takes the time to explain everything from IV skills, printing forms on computer (e.g., sign off, neuro check etc), trouble shooting with us when we have difficulties working with EMAR. I have learned so much from Lori and she always communicates with humor and that great laugh. She is also terrific with her patients - her knowledge and humor puts them at ease and you can tell the patients and families feel completely well taken care of by Lori. Most of all -- for me she helps me have the confidence to take on something I'm not used to (e.g., blood transfusions, administering a new medication), caring for pediatric patients. Lori's tips from her more than 30 years experience in nursing and her great "delivery" make her a joy to work with and help make the PSC a delightful place to work.”

Josefa Walter, Nursing Assistant states, “I nominate Lori because she is professional, compassionate and she was a great source of emotional support for me when my late husband was ill. I could not make a decision for future care and Lori took the time to explain what palliative care was, what hospice meant and she was so informative and patient. I learned so much from our discussions and I was able to make decisions for my husband. It was a very difficult time in my life. Lori was an angel for me at that time. I will never forget the emotional support she offered to me.”
Lori is tireless in her dedication to the profession of nursing. In the last two years she completed two certifications. Last year she received her certification in Oncology Nursing and this year she received her CAPA certification. She leads by example. Lori is also a charge nurse in the PSC. She has embraced this role and has become a well respected member of the PSC leadership team. Lori is the PSC coordinator for education in-services. She has coordinated in-services and has planned biweekly inservice for the year. She collaborated with nursing leadership to create an education plan for our Nursing Assistants that were promoted to Patient Care Technicians. She is committed to her patients, to the unit and to the profession of nursing.

Keisha Findley, CN III states, “Lori has been a consistent advocate for patients in every circumstance, regardless of the feedback she may receive or the opposition she may face...She stands firm in her beliefs, which are geared toward providing safe patient care that encompasses every aspect of the patient’s life...She is a great source of knowledge for her patients and colleagues alike, and a supporter of patient education, which empowers them to better understand their care, thus allowing patients to retain some degree of control; and staff education so we may better care for our patients whose lives we are affecting...She is undoubtedly one of those individuals that truly cares evident through her actions..."

I asked Lori if I can share her personal story so that I may convey how committed and dedicated she is. Lori had an accident 4 years ago where she had to have one of her fingers amputated. This was a difficult time for Lori but she was eventually able to return to work and function in full capacity. She learned to work without that finger and manage her life as it was prior to the accident. Dr. Athanasian performed her surgery at HSS. Since this incident; Dr. Athanasian has often called on Lori to see a patient that will have a finger amputated. I believe Lori is asked two to three times a month to visit with a patient that has this planned surgery. She actually had three patients in one week last week! Sometimes the need is to help the patient make a decision for partial or full amputation. The patient has the opportunity to speak to someone who experienced what they are going through. They in turn can see how she triumphed and how she managed to be functional and maintain her life. She has gone to the clinic to see these patients, some patients she has talked to on the phone, and most she has seen and cared for in the Presurgical Center. I heard her talking to a patient last week in the PSC. She has an open heart, uses humor and is willing to share her own experience. She gives them her phone number, her email address and answers all their questions. They in turn see someone who is fully functional, working and positive about life. She is a great source of comfort. She is compassionate and listens to both patient and family. She freely gives of herself and of her time.

Melissa Gilbert CN II told me this story, “Within the last month I did have a patient of Dr. Athanasian's who came in for a partial index finger amputation. During the assessment he revealed that he was given a choice about which one to have done-and had opted for the just the partial amputation of his finger because he could not imagine having his entire finger amputated (to my best recollection he had adenocarcinoma). I did tell him that we have a nurse that works with us that did have her entire index finger amputated and that I did not notice for a year. Well, he just could not believe me, so I sent Lori in without telling him who she was. She went in and started talking to him and his partner and after a few minutes she told him to look down. Well, he was so shocked when he did, because he could not believe he did not notice, he thought it would be so very disfiguring and was relieved to see that it would not be. Lori does have a very big heart and would do ANYTHING for her patients, coworkers, family and friends.”

We have chosen to nominate Lori Gofter for the DAISY Award because she represents the exceptional caliber of a Memorial nurse. My colleague Teresa LavinSack CN III states,
“The lovely Lori is able to put all her patients at ease by identifying with each and every one of them. After she identifies she instinctively puts at ease with a kind word or has them tell their stories while she expertly starts the IV, or has the sad patient giggling because she knows they need the release at this time. These kind words and deeds come from a kind heart and a huge wealth of knowledge that she freely shares with her patients and her peers and all staff members.
Many is the time on Saturday mornings I hear her work her nursing magic comforting each and every one she meets. I wanted to let you know how much THE LORI contributes to all of us.”