Kathy Ratliff, RN Case Manager, 4 Center, St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital: Macomb Center Warren, Michigan

Pictured here l-r: Denise Robertson, Director Care Management; Kathy Wolf, Manager Care Management; Kathy (center); Gemma Dixon, Manager 4C; Linda Zagacki, Director Inpatient Services; Dr. Roberto Barretto.

 

Kathy Ratliff is an exceptional case manager and is really the bind
that keeps the unit together. She often brings in homemade baked goods
for the staff to help boost morale and make "bad" days better. She even
drove a homeless patient (who was discharged) to the bank on her lunch
hour so he could cash his social security check in order to have money
to get a room to stay. She gladly fights daily battles and jumps
whatever hurdle is in the way so the patient will have everything they
will need for discharge.

Kathy is a compassionate and understanding RN who NEVER passes judgment on anyone and thinks that everyone can make a change for the better. Even though she is no longer a floor nurse, she helps out all of her coworkers with whatever it may be. She even answers call lights and phones and lends a sympathetic ear to whomever needs it, be it a patient, family, co-worker.

Kathy comes in every morning with a smile and I think she must say "how can I help you / how can I help to make this better" a thousand times a day. And the one thing you never hear form her mouth is "I'm too busy / I don't have the time right now." I can't even give you all the examples for why she
deservers this award, but if you have ever worked on the unit or been a
patient here, you would understand.