June 2021 Honoree
Kathryn Reed, RN
Kathryn Reed is an extraordinary person in our Upstate Community. I met Kathryn this past week as I floated from my pediatric unit to the adult neuro ICU for the COVID surge two-day training orientation.
In a time of uncertainty and fear for patients, families, and, in this floating situation, myself, I can say I met one of the kindest, most compassionate, hardworking, inspirational nurses in my fifteen years as an Upstate employee. She welcomed me immediately. She was informative and patient with the many questions I had about the adult world of ICU nursing.
Kathryn treated our intubated and sedated patient as if they were her own family member. She spoke to them compassionately and explained our every duty as if they were awake. Kathryn and I were able to think critically together to provide better care to our patient, whom I was witnessing as already receiving wonderful care. She was naturally going above and beyond.
In addition to the amazing care and advocacy Kathryn provided for our busy patient, she was kind and patient with the multiple phone calls from the spouse. She spoke calmly, honestly, informatively, and reassured the spouse to call at any time to allow them to feel at peace at home. She offered suggestions for ways of communicating, as Mother's Day is around the corner and a concern for the family due to visiting restrictions. It was heartwarming to hear her lift his spirits.
Throughout the two-day orientation, she showed respect and kindness to all levels of Upstate staff. Kathryn was quick to stop charting and respond to calls for assistance from other staff members. She noticed a coworker having a difficult personal issue and immediately responded compassionately. Quite frankly, she really demonstrated a respectable level of nursing and character.
I was inspired by her excellent care for the patient as a whole, including the family. I was inspired by her calmness, willingness, and availability to help all those around her.
I walked away from my two-day orientation learning more about adult nursing than I did going in, but more importantly, I was reminded of the nurse I wanted to be.
In a time of uncertainty and fear for patients, families, and, in this floating situation, myself, I can say I met one of the kindest, most compassionate, hardworking, inspirational nurses in my fifteen years as an Upstate employee. She welcomed me immediately. She was informative and patient with the many questions I had about the adult world of ICU nursing.
Kathryn treated our intubated and sedated patient as if they were her own family member. She spoke to them compassionately and explained our every duty as if they were awake. Kathryn and I were able to think critically together to provide better care to our patient, whom I was witnessing as already receiving wonderful care. She was naturally going above and beyond.
In addition to the amazing care and advocacy Kathryn provided for our busy patient, she was kind and patient with the multiple phone calls from the spouse. She spoke calmly, honestly, informatively, and reassured the spouse to call at any time to allow them to feel at peace at home. She offered suggestions for ways of communicating, as Mother's Day is around the corner and a concern for the family due to visiting restrictions. It was heartwarming to hear her lift his spirits.
Throughout the two-day orientation, she showed respect and kindness to all levels of Upstate staff. Kathryn was quick to stop charting and respond to calls for assistance from other staff members. She noticed a coworker having a difficult personal issue and immediately responded compassionately. Quite frankly, she really demonstrated a respectable level of nursing and character.
I was inspired by her excellent care for the patient as a whole, including the family. I was inspired by her calmness, willingness, and availability to help all those around her.
I walked away from my two-day orientation learning more about adult nursing than I did going in, but more importantly, I was reminded of the nurse I wanted to be.
Thank you, Kathryn, for your exceptional compassion, advocacy, and dedication to your patients. You truly make a difference.
View More Honorees