Kathleen is more than a nurse leader. She is a force of nature. Her passion and commitment to our team — especially to our new employees — is unmatched. From day one, she makes sure they feel welcomed, supported, and empowered. She doesn’t just orient them; she inspires them.

She consistently takes on extra responsibilities — whether it’s managing crash carts, supporting critical care, or stepping in wherever she’s needed. When I need something done, I don’t even have to ask. Kathleen anticipates the need, exceeds expectations, and delivers with excellence.

One of my favorite examples of this happened during our “Breakfast with the CNO” meetings, where I met with new nurses to get to know them and talk about nursing at our hospital. I’ll admit, I used to ramble a bit, sharing stories and insights off the cuff. Then one day, I walked in and there was a PowerPoint presentation waiting for me. Kathleen had taken the best parts of my previous talks and turned them into a thoughtful, engaging presentation — complete with pictures, including photos of my family I’d mentioned in passing. It was professional, personal, and perfectly timed. That’s Kathleen — always one step ahead.

Her attention to detail and proactive spirit are a reflection of how deeply she cares — not just for her team, but for this hospital and every patient who walks through our doors. We care for her, and she cares for all of us.

And if you’ve ever tried to keep up with Kathleen in the hallways, you know exactly what I mean when I say she moves with purpose — full speed ahead! It’s become a bit of a running joke watching our younger nurses try to match her pace. They think they’re fast… until they meet Kathleen!

The only thing I’ve ever seen Kathleen be more passionate about than her work is her family. Her eyes truly light up when she talks about her daughters, the twins. And when she talks about her husband E… well, there’s a slightly different look in her eyes — a sassy sparkle that says, “what have I gotten myself into.” It’s clear that her love for them runs deep, and that same love and care radiates through everything she does here.

Kathleen is also one of the most humble people I’ve ever met. She never seeks recognition, and she rarely acknowledges the immense value she brings to this organization. But today, we do.
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I’ve had the opportunity to work alongside her and witness firsthand the kind of leader she is — steady, thoughtful, and always present.

Kathleen leads with quiet strength. She doesn’t need a spotlight to make an impact. She leads by example — through her actions, her integrity, and her unwavering commitment to excellence.

She’s the kind of leader who makes you feel seen, heard, and valued. Whether it’s a new nurse finding their footing or a seasoned team member navigating a tough day, Kathleen is there — offering guidance, encouragement, and sometimes just the right dose of humor to lighten the moment.

I remember when I first became Director of Education many years ago. Kathleen seemed a little apprehensive about me becoming her leader – me, fresh from the bedside, with only a few semesters of teaching under my belt – what could she possibly be concerned about? It only took a couple of weeks for Kathleen and me to notice that Kathleen seemed to visibly relax...I am not sure what I said (or did) that would have made her relax; I wonder if she even remembers herself!

What Kathleen didn’t know was how terrified I was. Not just about doing a job I wasn’t sure I was ready for. But terrified at the thought of disappointing Kathleen. I had come to respect Kathleen immensely from my interactions with her, first as a nursing student, then as a bedside nurse, and eventually as a clinical instructor. Kathleen ran the Alzheimer’s Walk for the hospital and also ran the clinical instructor orientation for the hospital. She did both with a kind but no-nonsense attitude. Expectations were set, and you wanted to live up to them. Now I was expected to be Kathleen’s boss! Who thought that was a good idea???

Kathleen seemed to know “everything” there was to know about the hospital; she had to keep reminding me to Make It Easy (although we did not use the terminology at the time) for the team. Her focus is and has always been what is right and best for our patients and our team.

She’s also incredibly resourceful. Kathleen doesn’t just solve problems — she prevents them. She’s constantly thinking ahead, making sure her team has what they need before they even know they need it. Kathleen texted me many mornings at 0530 to say, “I’ve done XYZ – it bothered me all night, so I just came in and took care of it”.

And above all, she’s deeply respected — not just for what she does, but for who she is.

We are blessed that Kathleen is among the leaders who perform Nurse Leader rounding. Kathleen takes immense joy in being able to make a difference for a patient. She will not rest until she is assured we have done everything in our power to meet the needs of the patient.

I’ll close with a quote from John Quincy Adams that perfectly captures Kathleen’s leadership:

“If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, you are a leader.” — John Quincy Adams.

Kathleen, you inspire all of us — every day. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition.