My nomination for Cathy Ward is two-fold. First, from a personal perspective, I had made a referral to the Care Navigation department on behalf of my mother. She had a stroke the first part of 2017 and this has been life changing not only for my mom and dad but for me personally. Cathy went out to see them relating to potential assistance through my mom's long-term care policy in January 2018. She made more headway than what I was ever able to do in the last year. My parents also fell in love with Cathy, they both still talk about her to this day and keep her card on their dining room table. Both were so impressed with how kind and caring that she was and the time that she provided to them, always giving them her undivided attention. My Dad was so very impressed with her in dealing with the long-term care company individuals and stated, "She was not going to take no for an answer and found out all the information we needed; she is such a go-getter, she can come to visit us at any time!"
The second part of my nomination is from a professional standpoint. Cathy is a nursing colleague of mine. Cathy works non-stop to ensure that the patients and caregivers that she works with have their care needs met, regardless of the patient setting or background. She always meets with patients and their caregivers on their time schedule, no matter the time or date she will go to them to discuss their care needs. Cathy is first and foremost one of their strongest advocates; she provides information and care suggestions to the patients and caregivers that is best for them, always coming across in a very caring and compassionate manner. An example is that she is never shy about having difficult conversations with patients/caregivers relating to care needs, whether it be possible placement in a facility to the consideration of hospice care; this is always done with the utmost compassion and caring that can possibly be made.
From both a personal and professional standpoint, I believe that Cathy is a DAISY Nurse because of her dedication to the nursing profession and always providing care that is skillful, thoughtful, and compassionate. From a personal perspective, I so appreciate what she did for my parents and the impact she made on them. From a professional standpoint as a colleague, I observe her daily always looking out for the patient and caregivers best interests. I have worked in healthcare for many years, and Cathy is one of the most caring, compassionate individuals I have ever worked with.