When I think of the characteristics and qualities of what would describe an amazing well-rounded leader, Kathleen always comes to mind. Kathleen has been the fearless leader for the Pediatric Satellite Team for the last five years. Working alongside Kathleen, as one of her clinical supervisors, I have had the opportunity to watch her juggle all of the roles that come with being a leader: Patient/family advocacy during leader rounding, teammate advocacy, showing support for teammates during difficult times/conversations, learning from situations and innovating new ideas to improve safety and outcomes, interacting on committees... the list could go on and on and might I say, she does it all VERY well. Kathleen truly goes the extra mile in all her duties as a nurse leader. When I stepped into a supervisor position under Kathleen, I was so excited to learn and work alongside her.

One of the first things I immediately noticed about Kathleen was how amazing she was with our teammates. She is a prime example of servant leadership. She truly gives her all with every single teammate interaction. She goes above and beyond when welcoming and orienting new teammates, rounding on current teammates, offering advice and a listening ear, etc. She encourages all teammates to come forward with questions, concerns, and suggestions. Her ability to create a rapport and friendship with our teammates shines above all else. Given that our team floats all over the children's hospital, Kathleen truly tries her hardest to create a diverse and safe space for our team. This not only shows her commitment to ensuring our team is happy and successful but also her passion for wanting to make a difference in our teammates' lives.

Kathleen's interactions do not just stop with her teammates but also encompass day-to-day interactions with patients and their families. She often rounds on patients and families, checking in and offering support, addressing concerns, and seeing if there is anything she can do proactively to improve their stay. Kathleen always returns the next day to check back in with the family, receive an update on the patient, and to see if their needs were met and concerns alleviated. Kathleen may only have time for ten minutes with a family, but she will still make every minute count. Every interaction Kathleen has with both teammates and families is intentional and meaningful and leaves a lasting impression. Kathleen wears many hats in LCH, goes above and beyond, and never ceases to amaze me with how she tackles every day with a smile!