I would like to nominate Nurse Kat for taking extra special care of my cantankerous father for two weeks. Dad had a cardiac arrest after surgery. After a few days of recovery in CVICU, he was moved to 5 North. Dad can be demanding, stubborn, opinionated, needy, and mean like a snake when he is in pain, uncomfortable, or tired. Kat’s demeanor and presence were what Dad needed on the night shift. I was able to go home and sleep at night because both myself and Dad trusted Kat to take care of his needs at night. She knew almost all the answers to our questions, and if she did not know, she went and found the answers. She always explained what she was doing to him and why she was doing it. She never talked at him, she talked to him like he was an intelligent person and not a burden. It is well known that Dad has been unbearable to the staff at times. I remember one day we had a question, and Dad said, “Wait until Kat gets on shift; she will know the answer, or she will find it.”

Kat talked to my elderly father like he was an important person and not a burden, as it is well known my father had been unbearable at times during his stay on 5 North. CHI Memorial and 5 North staff and patients are truly blessed to have Nurse Kat on their team. On behalf of our family, thank you Kat for your care of Dad.