Kat's clinical skill and especially her/his compassionate care exemplify the kind of nurse that our patients, their families, and our staff recognize as an outstanding role model.

For well over a year, Kat has organized a group of about seven ICN staff to meet at the Ronald McDonald House to prepare and serve a meal to the residents. This is done every 3 months. This group's effort is well received by all who partake of the meal and it shows these families just how much UNMH cares for their wellbeing.

Kat is also active in the ICN shared governance. This year, as in the years past, the group meets and prepares handmade Christmas cards and acquires gifts for all of our babies who must spend their first Christmas with us instead of at home with their families. Hours are spent in this endeavor.

Kat demonstrates compassion in meaningful ways, for example, we had a Spanish speaking mom who was taken out of the infant CPR class because of a language barrier. This mom was brought to the ICN on the 3rd floor even though her baby was on the fourth floor but Kat took the time (while also caring for her own patient load) to arrange for a Spanish interpreter to accompany this mom to another class so she could learn CPR and be prepared to perform CPR for her baby at home should the need arise.

Kat regularly acts as primary RN to many of our drug exposed babies in ICN three. She provides loving care to these babies and compassion to the parents who are also in need of compassionate care.

Kat acts a preceptor to nursing students as well as new hires in a caring manner, providing them with an enriched learning experience. She maintains excellent working relationships with the entire ICN staff as well as the providers.

While so many of our ICN staff participate in these events and provide excellent patient care, it is Kat who takes the bull by the horns to make things happen. Kat is a joy to work with and I take great pleasure in nominating her for this DAISY Award.