Leslie Kerstetter
August 2025
Leslie
Kerstetter
,
RN
11 MICU
The Ohio State Wexner Medical Center University Hospital
Columbus
,
OH
United States
Leslie’s commitment to providing exceptional, high-quality care goes above and beyond, and she consistently demonstrates the values of integrity, empathy, and advocacy in her work.
It is with the utmost admiration and respect that Leslie Kerstetter, MSN, RN, CCRN, is being recognized with the DAISY Award. Leslie has been an invaluable part of the Medical ICU team at OSU Wexner Medical Center since 2001. Throughout the time I’ve had the privilege of working alongside her, I have witnessed firsthand the extraordinary level of care, compassion, and professionalism she brings to every patient she cares for. Leslie’s commitment to providing exceptional, high-quality care goes above and beyond, and she consistently demonstrates the values of integrity, empathy, and advocacy in her work.
One specific example of Leslie’s remarkable care involves a patient who has been on our unit for a prolonged period. This patient is tracheostomized and vent-dependent, and bedridden. Leslie went above and beyond by locating a Combilizer chair, a specialized chair designed for patients who cannot sit in a standard chair due to their condition. The chair’s bulk and the staff's lack of familiarity often result in it not being used as frequently as it should. However, Leslie took the initiative to not only locate the chair but also to educate herself and others on how to properly use it. She organized the staff to help move the patient into the chair and made sure the patient was safely and comfortably positioned.
This particular patient had not sat in a chair or left her bed for months. Initially, she was reluctant to move to the chair, but Leslie patiently listened to her concerns, gently talking her through her fears. In the end, the patient expressed immense gratitude for Leslie’s persistence, and since then, she has regularly asked to be moved into the chair several times a week. This simple act of advocacy has greatly improved the patient’s comfort and quality of life. Leslie also took the extra step of helping the patient bathe in a way that was more dignified and comfortable, using a shampoo basin instead of the usual shampoo cap and even locating another nurse to braid the patient’s hair. The patient was deeply grateful for Leslie’s attention to detail and the effort she made to ensure she received the “royal treatment.”
This is not an isolated instance. Leslie consistently provides this level of compassionate care to every patient, regardless of her assignment or patient load. Her dedication to her patients is unwavering, and her ability to make each individual feel truly cared for is a testament to her skills as a nurse.
Another example of Leslie’s incredible advocacy was during a difficult handoff involving a patient with end-stage liver failure. The patient and her family were adamant about fulfilling her final wish of passing at home rather than in the hospital. For multiple shifts, this request was delayed and deemed unfeasible. However, the very first moment Leslie arrived for her shift, she immediately advocated for the patient, approaching the physician’s team to ensure the patient’s wishes were respected. Despite resistance, Leslie did not accept “no” for an answer. She persisted and requested that the team speak with the family and consider discharging the patient home with hospice care. That night, when I returned to the unit, I found the patient’s room empty. Leslie’s tireless advocacy had led to the patient’s discharge home, where she passed away peacefully in her own bed, surrounded by her loved ones—just as she had wished. This outcome would not have been possible without Leslie’s dedication, advocacy, and commitment to delivering patient-centered care.
Leslie’s ability to consistently go above and beyond for her patients is a remarkable example of nursing excellence. She is a true leader in the Medical ICU, always ensuring that her patients are treated with the utmost respect, dignity, and compassion. Her contributions to the unit are immeasurable, and her impact on the lives of her patients and their families is profound.
Leslie's unwavering commitment to exceptional care, her advocacy for patients and families, and her embodiment of professionalism make her an extraordinary nurse who is truly deserving of this recognition.
One specific example of Leslie’s remarkable care involves a patient who has been on our unit for a prolonged period. This patient is tracheostomized and vent-dependent, and bedridden. Leslie went above and beyond by locating a Combilizer chair, a specialized chair designed for patients who cannot sit in a standard chair due to their condition. The chair’s bulk and the staff's lack of familiarity often result in it not being used as frequently as it should. However, Leslie took the initiative to not only locate the chair but also to educate herself and others on how to properly use it. She organized the staff to help move the patient into the chair and made sure the patient was safely and comfortably positioned.
This particular patient had not sat in a chair or left her bed for months. Initially, she was reluctant to move to the chair, but Leslie patiently listened to her concerns, gently talking her through her fears. In the end, the patient expressed immense gratitude for Leslie’s persistence, and since then, she has regularly asked to be moved into the chair several times a week. This simple act of advocacy has greatly improved the patient’s comfort and quality of life. Leslie also took the extra step of helping the patient bathe in a way that was more dignified and comfortable, using a shampoo basin instead of the usual shampoo cap and even locating another nurse to braid the patient’s hair. The patient was deeply grateful for Leslie’s attention to detail and the effort she made to ensure she received the “royal treatment.”
This is not an isolated instance. Leslie consistently provides this level of compassionate care to every patient, regardless of her assignment or patient load. Her dedication to her patients is unwavering, and her ability to make each individual feel truly cared for is a testament to her skills as a nurse.
Another example of Leslie’s incredible advocacy was during a difficult handoff involving a patient with end-stage liver failure. The patient and her family were adamant about fulfilling her final wish of passing at home rather than in the hospital. For multiple shifts, this request was delayed and deemed unfeasible. However, the very first moment Leslie arrived for her shift, she immediately advocated for the patient, approaching the physician’s team to ensure the patient’s wishes were respected. Despite resistance, Leslie did not accept “no” for an answer. She persisted and requested that the team speak with the family and consider discharging the patient home with hospice care. That night, when I returned to the unit, I found the patient’s room empty. Leslie’s tireless advocacy had led to the patient’s discharge home, where she passed away peacefully in her own bed, surrounded by her loved ones—just as she had wished. This outcome would not have been possible without Leslie’s dedication, advocacy, and commitment to delivering patient-centered care.
Leslie’s ability to consistently go above and beyond for her patients is a remarkable example of nursing excellence. She is a true leader in the Medical ICU, always ensuring that her patients are treated with the utmost respect, dignity, and compassion. Her contributions to the unit are immeasurable, and her impact on the lives of her patients and their families is profound.
Leslie's unwavering commitment to exceptional care, her advocacy for patients and families, and her embodiment of professionalism make her an extraordinary nurse who is truly deserving of this recognition.