Some say you don’t know what you have until it’s gone. Well, that’s just not the case when it comes to Terry Bloomer. As the team explored avenues to recognize Terry and her service prior to her retirement in June 2026, we unanimously agreed that Terry is most worthy of a DAISY Lifetime Achievement Award. While drafting this nomination, we knew it would mean the most to Terry to hear from her patients and her team. We invited patients under her care and transplant multidisciplinary team members to contribute to this nomination and promptly received nearly 100 exemplars. You see, it’s evident that each and every person Terry interacts with understands deeply just how special she is.

It is with the utmost respect and appreciation that collectively, the kidney transplant multidisciplinary team and the patients under the ongoing care and treatment of Terry Bloomer, RN, Lead Organ Transplant Coordinator, submit this nomination for the Daisy Lifetime Achievement Award.

Terry has had a long and distinguished career serving for over 44 years as a registered nurse, including the last 18 years in the Center for Transplantation at The University of Kansas Health System. Terry has left a lasting impact on countless patients and caregivers, other nurses and healthcare professionals, the broader Kansas City community, and the field of transplant nursing.

Undoubtedly best expressed by the grateful patients she cares for, included below are just a few of the nearly 100 responses received praising Terry:

1) When I first found out I was entering stage 4 kidney disease, I felt like I was walking into a dark alley all by myself. My doctor told me that he was going to be my flashlight. Well, he was, but I know that Terry has been the batteries. She has been a major part of my journey through the alley (care, support, dialysis, and my transplant). She is an excellent nurse, a wonderful woman, and always a caring person.

2) A transplant procedure is not just a one-time medical event, but a journey that at times is scary, overwhelming, frustrating, confusing, exciting, joyful, and beautiful! Like any long journey, you need a great guide to help keep you on the path, steer you through the difficulties, and celebrate the victories! Terry is a great guide. She's compassionate, knowledgeable, insightful, truthful, and professional, but maybe her most amazing ability is the special trust and confidence you feel in her care!

3) Every time I have a moment of fear, I call Terry. Every time I don’t understand a lab result, I call Terry. Every time I end up in the hospital and something is wrong, and I am delirious or upset or nervous or... or... or… I call Terry. She has called me back every time. She has been the only person who understands my concerns and knows when to tell me to worry and when to understand it will be ok… Terry is one of a kind. She is honestly a guardian angel on Earth. She can teach new nurses, take care of new patients, and keep track of Dr. Herrera all in a day’s work. She also has a family outside of work. Not everyone can balance all of that and still bring calmness to every patient. She probably works too hard and gives too much of herself, but I am so thankful she has been my nurse. She has impacted my life in ways impossible to understand or explain, and I am forever grateful.

4) There are nurses, good nurses, and special nurses. Terry is one of those special nurses because of her kindness and understanding while caring, communicating, and connecting with her patients. Treatment and all that goes along with it are enough to put off the regular patient, but she makes the journey so much easier in her “special way.”

5) Terry makes me proud to be a nurse! When I was going through my marathon day of transplant assessments, I had what I suppose was a panic attack, and Terry was just masterful in how she helped me get better control of myself. In the nearly 2 years since getting a transplant, Terry has always been the one I’ve reached out to with questions. She is so kind, empathic, and funny, which I believe is a healing art. I always feel like she makes my needs a priority.

6) Transplants are scary, but she has been a calming and consistent presence at any given point in this journey. I can confidently say she is the GOAT of nurse coordinators. She always knows what to say and what to do, no matter the situation. She is truly the best.

7) Terry has been there for me for 16 years; she has answered every question I have had. During my chemo in 2023, I was worried about my kidneys and chemo. I remember calling her one time because I had my blood tests taken and was worried because I had been sick, and she went through my whole blood tests and put my mind at ease. They knew what was going on with me and watched me every part of the way. For 16 years, she has kept me going with her and Dr. H. I could not be more appreciative and proud to be her patient.

8) “Blessed is the influence of one true loving soul on another” -author unknown. Terry is one of those “true, loving souls” who has been a gracious support to me as a kidney transplant patient. She is an efficient nurse who covers the needed details, but even more, who exudes genuine care for me, not only as a proficient medical person, but as a friend. In an attempt to reflect the feelings shared by many others represented in this nomination, this word art was created based on themes from patient nomination submissions.


Terry has clearly dedicated her life to the care of others; however, her impact is broader than her individual contributions. Terry has nurtured, cared for, and mentored team members, providing unwavering guidance, support, and leadership. She is a role model, friend, and has been instrumental in developing the culture of caring, compassion, and expertise provided by the entire kidney transplant team, outlined in detail by these employee nomination submissions:


1) She is a wonderful leader, team member, caretaker, and advocate for her patients. She always sets a great example and personally inspires me to be more like her… I have had the opportunity to interact with Terry on a professional level and as a patient. I can say with certainty that there is no one I could have on my care team or work team that makes me feel as safe and as confident as Terry.

2) Terry works so hard to give everyone around her the care, knowledge, and support they need. There was a point in time I kept having seizures at work, and a few of those occasions Terry jumped into action with no hesitation to help me. I was absolutely mortified that my coworkers had to see me in that state. When I came back to work after the first seizure, Terry pulled me aside and assured me that things like this happen all the time. Nurses not only help patients, but they also help all people. Nothing to be embarrassed about. She made me laugh and was so supportive through it all. This month, I am one year seizure-free. She is a constant reminder of the good days, not the bad.

3) Since starting, Terry has been a constant support while I have learned to become a coordinator. There is no question she does not know the answer to. But what makes Terry special is how intentional she is in getting to know you and her openness to hear about your struggles, goals, and ambitions. She is my go-to when I am not grasping a topic, when I am having difficulty speaking with patients, and when I am going through personal troubles. Additionally, her patients adore her, and no matter how much work she has, she never hesitates to call her patients, even with the smallest asks. Each patient matters to Terry. I strive to be the kind of coordinator she is. She sets the example. I tenderheartedly call her my mama Terry, because that is what she feels like to me. She truly embodies everything this award stands for.  The Center for Transplant is a special place to work because of Terry Bloomer.

4) I had the great privilege to work with Terry when I was rehired at The University of Kansas Health System. I could not have settled into my role without the knowledge and skill Terry has for transplant patients. Terry has such a generous heart both in and outside the hospital. She has a large family and successfully maintains a good work-life balance. She organizes volunteers and donates from her own means. She helps her neighbors and anyone else in need. She has opened her home to those in need, provides for them, and seeks community assistance for whatever the need. Terry has been a role model for 44+ years, and our team tries hard to emulate her example. Terry is the epitome of what a nurse should be. She is not only a warm, compassionate and capable RN, she is a team player in every sense of the word. I am honored to have worked with Terry, and I cannot think of anyone else more deserving.

5) In 2014, I was hired to help lead the kidney transplant team. As our department grew and changed, I trusted Terry’s feedback, insight, decision-making, and leadership. She’s been like a compass pointing us in the right direction all along. I remember one of the first lessons Terry taught me. I was adamant that, as the new manager, I needed to learn and understand the kidney transplant on-call coordinator demands. It was important to me to know I could back up the team, should a coordinator need support while on call. Terry tried to talk sense into me, reiterating how our team is there for each other morning, noon, and night, but I persisted. She spent weeks teaching me what I would need to know to take a call. She was on standby the weekend I took my first (and only) primary coordinator call. Come Monday morning, she looked at me and smiled, and said, “Are you happy now? Now you’d need to do this regularly to stay proficient.” She followed that with the resounding reassurance that this team has each other’s back (and mine) and that there will always be a coordinator to cover back up on call needs any time, any weekend, any holiday. Turns out, like most everything, she was right. In that moment, she taught me what this team’s culture is about. She taught me how to lead through partnership, trust, and teamwork, while valuing each other’s roles. I am a better nurse and nurse leader because of Terry Bloomer.

6) While we could go on and on about all the reasons Terry Bloomer is most deserving of this special recognition, we trust by now you’ve gained an understanding of just how special Terry Bloomer is. Additionally, please see the attachment including full nomination submissions received from grateful patients and staff as of September 5th, 2025. We are confident that by the time you are reading this, there will be many more. We receive touching, heartfelt messages daily, echoing their support of this nomination.

7) Terry has clearly dedicated her life to the care of others; however, her impact is broader than her individual contributions. Terry has nurtured, cared for, and mentored team members, providing unwavering guidance, support, and leadership. She is a role model, friend, and has been instrumental in developing the culture of caring, compassion, and expertise provided by the entire kidney transplant team, outlined in detail by these employee nomination submissions:
She is a wonderful leader, team member, caretaker, and advocate for her patients. She always sets a great example and personally inspires me to be more like her… I have had the opportunity to interact with Terry on a professional level and as a patient. I can say with certainty that there is no one I could have on my care team or work team that makes me feel as safe and as confident as Terry.

8) Terry works so hard to give everyone around her the care, knowledge, and support they need. There was a point in time when I kept having seizures at work, and a few of those occasions, Terry jumped into action with no hesitation to help me. I was absolutely mortified that my coworkers had to see me in that state. When I came back to work after the 1st seizure, Terry pulled me aside and assured me things like this happen all the time. Nurses not only help patients, but they also help all people. Nothing to be embarrassed about. She made me laugh and was so supportive through it all. This month, I am one year seizure-free. She is a constant reminder of the good days, not the bad.


9) I had the great privilege to work with Terry when I was rehired at The University of Kansas Health System. I could not have settled into my role without the knowledge and skill Terry has for transplant patients. Terry has such a generous heart both in and outside the hospital. She has a large family and successfully maintains a good work-life balance. She organizes volunteers and donates from her own means. She helps her neighbors and anyone else in need. She has opened her home to those in need, provides for them, and seeks community assistance for whatever the need. Terry has been a role model for 44+ years and our team tries hard to emulate her example. Terry is the epitome of what a nurse should be. She is not only a warm, compassionate and capable RN, she is a team player in every sense of the word. I am honored to have worked with Terry, and I cannot think of anyone else more deserving.

10) In 2014, I was hired to help lead the kidney transplant team. As our department grew and changed, I trusted Terry’s feedback, insight, decision-making, and leadership. She’s been like a compass pointing us in the right direction all along. I remember one of the first lessons Terry taught me. I was adamant that, as the new manager, I needed to learn and understand the kidney transplant on-call coordinator demands. It was important to me to know I could back up the team, should a coordinator need support while on call. Terry tried to talk sense into me, reiterating how our team is there for each other morning, noon, and night, but I persisted. She spent weeks teaching me what I would need to know to take a call. She was on standby the weekend I took my first (and only) primary coordinator call. Come Monday morning, she looked at me and smiled, and said, “Are you happy now? Now you’d need to do this regularly to stay proficient.” She followed that with the resounding reassurance that this team has each other’s back (and mine) and that there will always be a coordinator to cover back up on call needs any time, any weekend, any holiday. Turns out, like most everything, she was right. In that moment, she taught me what this team’s culture is about. She taught me how to lead through partnership, trust, and teamwork, while valuing each other’s roles. I am a better nurse and nurse leader because of Terry Bloomer.

While we could go on and on about all the reasons Terry Bloomer is most deserving of this special recognition, we trust by now you’ve gained an understanding of just how special Terry Bloomer is.