... Kathy developed a very genuine rapport over a long period of time with an outpatient who received multiple infusions. Kathy knew this outpatient well and subtle changes became very obvious to her. When the outpatient was admitted on the Oncology unit with abdominal pain, Kathy recognized that she looked very different. The patient's daughter spoke with Kathy and told her that surgery was scheduled for 6:00pm. Kathy worried because she had seen this patient very sick at times and felt that 6:00pm would be too late. Kathy spoke with the MD and as a result, surgery was moved to 2:00pm. The patient believes that she would not have survived had it not been for Kathy's attentiveness to her needs and being a true patient advocate because she had a large abscess in her stomach that had burst, leaving her full of poison.

Kathy understands that little things make a big difference - like bringing in a patient's favorite food the evening before the patient is to be NPO because of next-morning surgery. She is a diligent, faithful, team player who always accompanies a newer RN, and stays close by.

Kathy's former patients and their family members stop by just to say "Hi" because she reassured them that they were valuable to her and gave them 100% while in her care.

This is the essence of Kathy - a nurse who consciously and purposefully makes a difference.