Kristen first joined Salinas Valley Health in July of 2018 and has worked in ICU/CCU the entire time –serving patients here for nearly five years. Her fellow RNs and Clinical Manager in the ICU/CCU shared many examples of the care Kristen provides that makes her a joy to work with and an Extraordinary Nurse however each nomination mentioned one specific and poignant end-of-life circumstance.

Kristen’s colleagues specifically wrote about the care she provided to a terminally ill cancer patient. When the patient expressed a desire for a pepperoni and cheese pizza, Kristen made it happen by having one delivered to the unit. The patient was only able to enjoy a few bites but mentioned repeatedly how much it meant to her. Kristen also made sure that when the patient passed away the next day, the woman’s daughter was by her side.

Some of the comments from her fellow nurses include: “She is one of the best team players I have had the honor to work with. She cares for her patients and co-workers alike. She often goes above and beyond, offering a helping hand in hectic times is second nature to her.” “She is compassionate, kind, and extremely professional with excellent clinical judgment.” “She is such a kind-hearted soul and often does small things for patients that have a big impact on them.”