Kirsten has the kind of smile that just lights up the room! She is so warm and welcoming; I do not believe any patient could be in her presence and feel scared or alone. She is simply this way with everyone! For example, one of our patients, a 70-year-old grandfather, wanted nothing more than to live long enough to dance with his granddaughter at her wedding. He referred to Kirsten as “his cheerleader,” and when his dream was realized, he sent her photos of the wedding.

On another occasion, we were caring for an 18-year-old college student who needed a Lumbar Puncture. She was nervous being away from her family and was missing them terribly. Kirsten took her lunch break to sit with this patient and hold her hand.

One last example: we had a man who required an IR procedure on his 60th birthday. Before we knew it, there was Kirsten, holding a birthday cake and singing.

Maya Angelou said, "People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”

Somehow, Kirsten can connect with everyone and anyone. If I were alone or afraid, it would be Kirsten whom I would want to smile at me and hold my hand, because then I would know that everything would be alright!