Kathleen Gaehler has been a nurse in our NICU department since its development in 1975. She began as a LVN and has achieved her RN and Clinical Nurse III status through hard work and a dedicated commitment to her patients and their families. She fulfills every advanced role in our NICU including relief charge nurse, transport specialist, preceptor, and resource nurse. She was the driving force behind the research and development of our Kangaroo Care program and Co-bedding policy. Development care is Kathy’s neonatal passion as she is the chairperson of our Development Committee and is a tireless advocate for our babies families, empowering them to be active parents in the NICU through skin to skin holding and providing basic care to their sick newborns. She is the Coordinator of our Volunteer Cuddler Program, which allows babies to be held and consoled even if the parents aren’t able to visit. She recognizes our wonderful Cuddlers every year by hosting a luncheon and raffle for them. We affectionately call Kathy “Mama”, because she cares so deeply for every family and baby she cares for, as well as every staff member in the NICU.
Kathy is most notable for her tireless passion for support of March of Dimes. She has coordinated the DMC team for the March of Dimes Walk America for more than 10 years. This team of mostly NICU employees and their families raise several thousands of dollars every year and in the past this included a dollar for dollar match from Tenet. She develops a team t-shirt, plans the annual NICU reunion for past patients and their family following the walk and fundraises in the hospital and all over the community of Modesto. Collectively, she has raised nearly a quarter of a million dollars for the March of Dimes over the last decade. She is also an active board member for the local chapter and coordinates a group of nurses to attend the March of Dimes Capitol Day promoting advocacy for our patient population with our state legislators in Sacramento.
Kathy is an amazing NICU nurse. Her extensive experience at the bedside demonstrates a keen knowledge base and excellent clinical skills. If a baby needs a peripheral IV or arterial line, rest assured Kathy is the nurse to get it done. She is a seasoned and professional nurse at all times, much loved by our patient’s families and staff. She is an advocate for our newer nurses always looking for ways to expand their clinical experience, making her an excellent preceptor. Kathy is also a fabulous charge nurse balancing the demand of a large unit with frequent admissions and discharges, several deliveries a day and multiple break relief for our large collection of staff.
When our group of Neonatal Nurse Practitioners first heard about the DAISY Award, we didn’t hesitate to think of Kathy as the perfect candidate. It is with great pleasure that we nominate her for this wonderful recognition.