Being a nurse practitioner, I thought I was invincible to disease. I spent my days caring for others, confident in my own knowledge and ability to help patients through their hardest moments, but when I became the patient, I quickly realized how vulnerable I was. Facing chemotherapy just eight weeks postpartum and needing accommodations for my PICC line after treatment was a humbling experience, one that left me feeling overwhelmed, uncertain, and stripped of the confidence I once had in my own strength.

I will never forget the way Katie, RN, helped me early last year. Not only did she provide exceptional accommodations for my PICC line after treatment, but she also showed incredible compassion and support as I navigated the challenges of being a new mom undergoing the aftermath of chemotherapy. She consistently went above and beyond to ensure my physical and emotional needs were met, whether it was adjusting care plans to fit my unique circumstances with an infant or offering words of encouragement when I needed them most. She slowly helped to rebuild my confidence. Her attention to detail, clinical expertise, and ability to anticipate my needs made a profoundly difficult time in my life more manageable. The care and kindness she showed will forever stay with me, and I am deeply grateful for the Extraordinary Nurse and person that she is. I believe that Katie deserves this award because of her unwavering kindness, remarkable skill, and empathy she brought to every interaction, not only with me but also in how she treated her other patients as well. She embodies everything this award represents, and I cannot think of anyone more deserving.