Katie was nominated by her peers and the family of a former patient. The patient and family members were touched by the compassion and care given by Katie and other PTU nurses. The patient's youngest daughter spoke about her family's experience at the DAISY Award ceremony. "They're the most amazing group of people I have ever met," she said, referring to the unit. "They are not only helping the patient but what really touched us is the care they also gave to the family."
In his last days, her father had struggled with the nurse's recommendations that he not walk to the restroom on his own. Rather than simply stating he wasn't allowed to get up without assistance, Katie explained, "it's not that you can't get up; it's that I am worried about you falling." She offered him a bedpan and urinal, both of which he refused. She agreed to make him a deal: If he could sit up in bed, she would let him walk to the restroom. After several attempts and even with help, he was not able to sit up. It was a jarring realization he had not expected, and he agreed to use the urinal.
"Katie handled him in such an amazing way - not by belittling him or scolding him, but by letting him figure out on his own that he needed help," the family wrote in a letter to hospital staff.
***
A 91-year-old took the extra effort to come back to the hospital just to praise the PTU team and Katie. He shared that he not only received the best clinical care but in his most vulnerable moments he was treated as a human being and friend, with dignity and respect. Katie, who listened to these patients' stories with tears in her eyes, credits her team and family of nurses for being great role models. "I have a great team, and I couldn't do any of it without them," Katie said.