November 2016
Kim
Ludwig
,
RN, BSN
Nurse Manager, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit
Hackensack University Medical Center
Hackensack
,
NJ
United States
It is my pleasure to nominate a colleague with whom I have worked for nearly 20 years. I am nominating Kim Ludwig, not for any one event, but for the cumulative service that she has consistently provided over all that time. We worked initially as colleagues in an intensive care unit where she demonstrated empathy and compassion all the while that she worked to an extraordinary level of clinical care. Known as "Sporty Kim", her patients loved her and felt comforted by her presence at the bedside. I was privileged as I experienced my own journey of growing to a seasoned intensivist to watch her do the same as a nurse and become an inspiration and role model for the newer members of our team.
Recognized for her clinical, teaching and managerial skills, she progressively assumed more administrative responsibility and was always respected for being able to see the bigger picture but still understand the needs of the individual. It was never just about administration but about caring for our staff as people and consistently striving to meet their needs. One always felt a little more comfortable knowing that she was on duty. If a unit was being particularly hard hit, it was not unusual for Kim to roll up her sleeves and get right into patient care or do administrative tasks that allowed the nurse to get back to the bedside.
In her current position, which has evolved over the past several years, never once have I known her to say no to anything asked of her. Kim has gladly assumed additional responsibilities when the situation called for it, has given of her time above and beyond even to doing staff evaluations at 3 in the morning when her kids are asleep. She has balanced the demands of being a single mom while consistently demonstrating to staff and colleagues alike what it means to be a professional. The tasks she takes on she does because she knows that it advances the mission of our institution and not from any perceived personal gain. I have no question that she has the ability to be a senior leader and help Hackensack UMC become and remain a national leader in pediatric care and I have no hesitation in nominating Kim Ludwig for a DAISY Award. She deserves more.
Recognized for her clinical, teaching and managerial skills, she progressively assumed more administrative responsibility and was always respected for being able to see the bigger picture but still understand the needs of the individual. It was never just about administration but about caring for our staff as people and consistently striving to meet their needs. One always felt a little more comfortable knowing that she was on duty. If a unit was being particularly hard hit, it was not unusual for Kim to roll up her sleeves and get right into patient care or do administrative tasks that allowed the nurse to get back to the bedside.
In her current position, which has evolved over the past several years, never once have I known her to say no to anything asked of her. Kim has gladly assumed additional responsibilities when the situation called for it, has given of her time above and beyond even to doing staff evaluations at 3 in the morning when her kids are asleep. She has balanced the demands of being a single mom while consistently demonstrating to staff and colleagues alike what it means to be a professional. The tasks she takes on she does because she knows that it advances the mission of our institution and not from any perceived personal gain. I have no question that she has the ability to be a senior leader and help Hackensack UMC become and remain a national leader in pediatric care and I have no hesitation in nominating Kim Ludwig for a DAISY Award. She deserves more.