Working in the MICU can be a hectic fast paced environment. The nurses in the MICU take pride in placing safety, health and environmental stewardship at the top of their goals. They believe every patient should have opportunity to above adequate healthcare. They feel that they can, and do deliver exemplary care in an empathetic compassionate way. I would like to tell the story of one of our MICU nurses.

Kristen Nizzaro RN, BS has worked in the MICU for 10 years. Although there are many instances that I can think of that Kristen acted in exemplary professional fashion, the first one that comes to mind is one in which she was caring for a patient that emergently needed intubation at the beginning of her shift. After alerting the practitioners to the patients need for intubation, she then expertly and proficiently assisted anesthesia with the intubation, coordinating respiratory therapy and all other care of the patient as needed. Kristen is always cool under pressure; her calming presence keeps critical situations running smoothly and efficiently. After Kristen stabilized the patient, she proactively telephoned the patient's family so the Doctor could give them an update regarding the change in patient condition. When the patient's family arrived she went to the waiting room and personally brought them back to the unit to visit with their loved one. The family was so grateful and praised Kristen for her compassion and thoughtfulness, she had also provided extra chairs, tissues and a pitcher of water with cups.

In addition, Kristen is always trying to advance her knowledge in nursing. First she returned to school to obtain her BSN while maintaining a full time job and a family. She continues to broaden her horizons, attending the ECMC critical care conference as well as NTI, a national critical care conference held yearly. Kristen dove into all that NTI had to offer, learning valuable information. She then assisted in creating a poster board that highlighted some of the cutting edge information she had learned in order to present it to her peers.

Kristen is a team worker in its truest form of the words, always seeking out her coworkers to ask if they need help or if there is anything else she can do. Her most recent projects include assisting with creating the "healing hands" tree located just inside the doors of 12z4, as well as a board dedicated to substance abuse in the same location. I am proud to say I work with wonderful staff in the MICU and Kristen is a piece of the heart and soul of that. I am so appreciative of all she does for families, patients and staff alike. Kristen welcomes every patient to the MICU as if they were one of her own. She is the epitome of the DAISY Award and what it stands for and ECMC is honored to have selected Kristen as our first DAISY Honoree.