I would like to recognize Katie Bartuska for the incredible care she gave me after my mitral valve replacement. Katie brought humor and humanity into the room at a time when I really needed it. She was not only professional but also appropriately light-hearted, using humor to ease tension and help me feel more like myself again.

She had the unfortunate task of caring for me after I had been on laxatives all day. I was up and down on the bedside commode all night, but Katie handled it all with total grace and never made me feel embarrassed or uncomfortable. More than that, she took the time to connect with me as a person. We talked about my dogs and life outside the hospital, and that personal connection made a huge difference in my recovery.

She was also incredibly reassuring to both me and my wife, giving us confidence that I was on the right track. Katie's compassion, humor, and professionalism are the perfect example of what nursing should be.