Kate Von Itter, RN

I would like to commend Kate Von Itter for the exceptional care and patient advocacy she demonstrated while admitting my grandpa during one of the most difficult times in our family's life. From the moment my grandpa arrived on the unit, Kate provided efficient, compassionate care that immediately gave our family confidence. She recognized that he was very ill and worked quickly to ensure his needs were addressed while treating him with kindness, dignity, and respect.

What stood out most, however, was Kate's unwavering commitment to advocating for my grandpa. During his admission, she noticed that the physician had entered him as a full code, despite his Advance Care Directive clearly stating that he wished to be a Do Not Resuscitate (DNR). Rather than allowing this discrepancy to go unnoticed, Kate took immediate action to ensure his code status accurately reflected his documented wishes. As both a nurse and a granddaughter, I cannot express how much that meant to me. Kate understood that honoring a patient's wishes is one of the greatest acts of respect we can provide. Because of her attentiveness and advocacy, my grandpa's plan of care reflected the decisions he had thoughtfully made for himself.

In a moment when our family was overwhelmed with emotion, Kate gave us peace of mind by ensuring his voice was heard. Patient advocacy is one of the most important responsibilities we have as nurses, and Kate exemplified it without hesitation. She not only provided excellent clinical care but also protected my grandpa's autonomy and dignity when it mattered most. Although this chapter of our family's story has been filled with heartbreak, I will always be grateful that Kate was there to care for my grandpa. Her compassion, professionalism, and dedication to doing what was right made a lasting impact on our family. Kate truly embodies the compassion, excellence, and advocacy that the DAISY Award was created to recognize.