Katie R Piper
March 2026
Katie R
Piper
,
RN
Medical Surgical Unit 7C
Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters
Norfolk
,
VA
United States
When we felt that something we raised wasn’t being fully addressed, she advocated on our behalf, communicated with the appropriate team members, and helped resolve what turned out to be a misunderstanding.
Our 8-week-old son was admitted to CHKD through the emergency room and, after a brief stay in the PICU, was transferred to Katie’s unit. Katie was our overnight nurse for two consecutive nights during one of the most stressful periods of our lives. Our son was struggling to breathe, refusing to eat, and was clearly uncomfortable in his crib. Those nights felt overwhelming and frightening as new parents. During those shifts, Katie made an extraordinary difference in our experience. She checked on our son and on us constantly, to the point that it felt as though we were her only patient, even though we knew she was caring for others as well. She spent long stretches at our son’s bedside, leaning over his crib to comfort him, carefully suctioning his nose and mouth, and even setting timers to remind us to warm more milk for his feeding tube.
Her calm, positive attitude never wavered, and it gave us immense reassurance during a very difficult time. After a week, we were discharged and brought our son home, only to return to the emergency room the very next morning due to new breathing difficulties. When we were readmitted to the same unit and learned that Katie was now working the day shift, we felt an immediate sense of relief. Although this second hospital stay was less critical, Katie's impact was still profound. When our son opened his eyes and saw her, he smiled almost as if he recognized her and knew he was safe.
Beyond her clinical skill, Katie made a meaningful difference by ensuring we truly understood our son’s care. She took the time to explain medical information in a clear, compassionate way, reminded us of the options available to us, and genuinely listened to our concerns. When we felt that something we raised wasn’t being fully addressed, she advocated on our behalf, communicated with the appropriate team members, and helped resolve what turned out to be a misunderstanding. Katie’s professionalism, kindness, and advocacy not only improved our son’s care but also gave us confidence and comfort during an incredibly stressful time. Her actions made us feel supported, heard, and cared for as a family.
Her calm, positive attitude never wavered, and it gave us immense reassurance during a very difficult time. After a week, we were discharged and brought our son home, only to return to the emergency room the very next morning due to new breathing difficulties. When we were readmitted to the same unit and learned that Katie was now working the day shift, we felt an immediate sense of relief. Although this second hospital stay was less critical, Katie's impact was still profound. When our son opened his eyes and saw her, he smiled almost as if he recognized her and knew he was safe.
Beyond her clinical skill, Katie made a meaningful difference by ensuring we truly understood our son’s care. She took the time to explain medical information in a clear, compassionate way, reminded us of the options available to us, and genuinely listened to our concerns. When we felt that something we raised wasn’t being fully addressed, she advocated on our behalf, communicated with the appropriate team members, and helped resolve what turned out to be a misunderstanding. Katie’s professionalism, kindness, and advocacy not only improved our son’s care but also gave us confidence and comfort during an incredibly stressful time. Her actions made us feel supported, heard, and cared for as a family.