Kari Lumbrazo epitomizes the professional nursing role at TCH. She is a skilled emergency department nurse who consistently delivers the highest level of clinical care with compassion; patience and enthusiasm. Kari always has time to meet the patient and family needs while never forgetting to document an assessment; an intervention or a drug. She is astute in her triage abilities, often identifying the subtleties of pediatric illness that mask deeper conditions or concerns. Her keen assessment and rapid response earns her the respect and admiration of the entire medical and nursing team. Many a physician has echoed a prayer of thanks knowing she is on for their shift, while peers can always count on her to assist with the most critical of patient presentations.

Her eleven years of nursing experience has fostered a passion for teaching and mentoring new staff…a role she expounded on as the TCH emergency department opened in Parker. Kari has mentored staff at all levels including physicians; nurses; clinical medical technicians; service specialists and several nurse directors! She is a dedicated teacher who strives to assure that all staff are prepared for the next emergency that arrives in the ED. Kari has been the go-to person for clarification of many a clinical operational question or policy confirmation for staff in the network and maintains multiple house-wide committee involvements.

Kari’s passion for nursing includes the commitment to a high standard of quality care delivery. Kari has coordinated MOCK Cors on a monthly basis; completes sedation reviews with follow-up to medical/nursing peers; coordinated audit reviews for hand hygiene protocols and chaired the department quality team since the inception of the Parker network site. Through Kari’s efforts, false positive blood culture rates were reduced from a 2008 quarter high of 3.9% to a 2009 year end result of 1.2%--an accomplishment that is now being explored for best practice in other areas of TCH.

To me, what has always been the most amazing aspect of all Kari does in her Clinical Nurse IV role at Parker is her ability to utilize her time so effectively and efficiently while on shift so as to both deliver care AND accomplish all that she is so passionate about. Kari somehow balances her professional life with a husband whose position frequently takes him to some of the most dangerous parts of the Middle East leaving her a “single mom” caring for a son entering the terrible two’s…a feat deserving of much admiration and respect!!

In a few days, Kari will transition to a new position in the Ambulatory world of nursing at TCH. Although we will miss her dearly, we are happy and proud to share such an outstanding peer with our clinic colleagues. TCH @Parker will be forever grateful for all you have done for the children and us in the past 6 years. We are leaving the lights on and the door open. We will miss you

We salute you Kari as one of TCH’s finest nurses!!!!