Katherine Abdo Is July DAISY Award Winner

Katherine Abdo, BSN, RN, C-EFM from Labor & Delivery (L&D), was honored at a recognition ceremony on July 26 as the July DAISY Award winner for Methodist Hospital and Methodist Women's Hospital. 

Katherine received two lengthy letters of nomination: one from a patient and one from a family member of the patient.

The patient wrote, "As a nurse myself, I know what a difference nurses make in patients' lives every day. Katherine is an amazing nurse. She made such an impact in my life, during the worst tragedy I could imagine."

After struggling with infertility, the patient said she and her husband were delighted by her pregnancy. But joy turned to heartbreak when they lost their beloved child halfway through the pregnancy. 

"There is nothing more horrible than losing a child," the patient wrote. "Katherine was not only a top-notch nurse to me, but to my stillborn son as well. She treated him with such dignity and respect. She cleaned him up, wrapped him sweetly in a blanket and constantly reassured me that we could spend all the time we wanted with our sweet angel. She called a professional photographer for us, coordinated care with the chaplain, social worker and funeral home, etc. She was PHENOMENAL!

"I always saw L&D as such a happy place when I was in nursing school. I now know that it is also the place where some of the worst imaginable things happen. People lose their babies, and nurses are the ones there caring for these mothers during the worst time in their life. Having an outstanding nurse really can make a difference and make the pain just a little bit more bearable. Katherine did that for us. She is the true definition of an extraordinary nurse. I will be forever grateful for the care she provided us."

A family member of this mother and child added more details, describing Katherine as "the most caring, patient, empathic nurse" and praising her for taking time to explain to the entire family what was going on and what to expect. 

"Katherine was such a comfort to have during this difficult time. She always made sure [mother and baby] had everything they needed. When we left the hospital that evening, Katherine came to the room and held the baby while we left so he wasn't alone. I will never forget how that made us all feel, knowing that he was safe with her.

"Katherine made our entire family feel so safe while she was our nurse. Her knowledge and caring spirit gave us so much comfort. I hope she knows what a gift she was during this difficult time and that we cannot thank her enough for everything she did."

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The DAISY Award is a nationwide program that rewards and celebrates extraordinary skill and compassionate care given by nurses every day. Nurses can be nominated by anyone, including patients, family members, physicians, supervisors or their peers.

To nominate a nurse at Methodist Hospital or Methodist Women’s Hospital, visit www.bestcare.org/daisy.