From the moment we came into the ICU, Katherine recognized the urgency of needing to know the information that I had. My father had just had a stroke and had tPA administered the night before. She was on the lookout for my arrival and addressed me by name as soon as I walked into the unit. Throughout the day she allowed me to help out with the care of my father giving me sense of purpose and something to do to keep my mind occupied. She consulted with me as a professional and as a person confirming with me what she saw with every neuro check. She was compassionate and kind to my father and above all patient with him as the stroke delayed his responses and garbled his speech. When his condition worsened she recognized it and took the appropriate steps walking me through the process of a transfer to another facility to allow him to get the care he needed. She recognized when I was having a breakdown emotionally and was able to calm me down and give me necessary encouragement all the while keeping my father as her first priority. Katherine is a GEM. I work in a very busy hospital in another state with many outstanding nurses and she by far is one of the best I have encountered. I am truly grateful that she was able to care for my dad and me and she should get every recognition that is possible.