Maria Othitis, BSN, RN, AMB-BC

Maria Othitis is the kind of nurse who not only meets the standard of care but continually redefines it. Her commitment to patient safety, her clinical intuition, and her unwavering compassion have left a profound impact on our patients, our team, and our community at Kaiser Permanente. Maria exemplifies the heart and soul of nursing - going above and beyond in every aspect of her role. One remarkable example of Maria’s excellence occurred when she received a call from our Call Center about a patient receiving home health services who had recently fallen. The physical therapist who visited the patient described deeply concerning circumstances: the patient was found with pants off, urine on the floor, and dried feces on their legs. Despite these signs of neglect and potential incapacity, the patient refused hospital care, and the agency deemed them unsafe to continue services. Maria didn’t hesitate. She performed an immediate chart review, identified emergency contacts, and attempted multiple calls to both the patient and their listed supports. When she was unable to reach anyone, she escalated without delay-contacting Harford County EMS for a wellness check and clearly conveying the critical safety concerns. EMS responded, found the patient in distress, and transported them to the hospital, where they were found in unsanitary conditions. Thanks to Maria’s swift actions and advocacy, the patient received the urgent medical attention they needed. Ultimately, they were transitioned to a skilled nursing facility, where they are now safe and receiving appropriate care. Maria’s clinical judgment and follow-through quite literally changed the trajectory of that patient’s life.

Her vigilance doesn’t stop with complex cases. Maria consistently applies the same level of thoroughness to even routine visits. During a scheduled immunization appointment, a patient casually mentioned a recent fall. While others might have brushed it off, Maria conducted a full neuro assessment, knowing the patient was on Plavix (a blood thinner). Her assessment revealed a head injury and elbow wound. She documented everything, took photos, and escalated it immediately to the physician. The patient and his wife initially resisted the recommendation to go to our Advanced Urgent Care in Lutherville, preferring to handle it later. But Maria persisted. With over 20 minutes of patient education, she was able to convey the urgency of the situation. The result? The patient was found to have a subdural hematoma 8mm thick with a 2–3mm midline shift-a potentially life-threatening condition. Her proactive care and education likely prevented a catastrophic outcome.

Maria’s dedication extends beyond direct patient care. This year, she pursued and earned her Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification, investing countless hours outside of work to deepen her expertise and better serve our patients. Her commitment to growth and lifelong learning is inspiring.

She has also taken the lead on improving safety protocols in the clinic. Most recently, she identified a flaw in how expiration dates for allergy shot vials were being tracked. The stronger vials had a later expiration date than the weaker vials, yet only the stronger vial’s date was reflected on paper documentation. Maria implemented a bright red labeling system to clearly indicate the earliest expiration date across all documentation and even on the physical box. She has since joined a safety improvement workgroup to further this process and prevent any risk to our patients.

Maria also became a TeamSTEPPS Master Trainer this year-positioning herself to help improve team communication and departmental processes. She doesn’t wait for permission to lead -she steps in where she's needed most. When a colleague was undergoing cancer treatment this year, Maria stepped up without hesitation - flexing her schedule, covering extra shifts, and ensuring continuity of care for patients without ever expressing distress or complaint.

Maria Othitis is more than a nurse - she is a patient advocate, a leader, a protector, and a role model. She demonstrates every day what it means to live Kaiser Permanente’s values: excellence, compassion, integrity, and service. She leads with her heart, backed by clinical precision and unmatched commitment. It’s rare to find someone who impacts both patients and colleagues so profoundly.

Maria’s grit, dedication, and humanity make her the clear embodiment of a DAISY Nurse. It is with absolute confidence and admiration that I nominate her for this honor.