The University of Kansas Health System

Congratulations to Abby Monaghan, a ICU clinical nurse, who is a recent recipient of the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses. She was nominated by a patient for whom she cared for multiple days. The grateful patient says they perceived Monaghan saw them as a person and not just the patient. "I felt like this nurse heard me when I talked and wasn't just listening to be done with me to move on," the patient wrote on Monaghan. "They went above and beyond to make me feel comfortable, they have very good bedside manner, and they always treated me with respect and dignity."

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Congratulations to the Marillac Campus Behavioral Health technicians on receiving the Levin Team Award! The group was nominated for their collaboration, communication, competence and consistency in their work with pre-adolescent patients. The crew includes Natalie Hale, Leigh (Katherine) Hughes, Kineisha Mendes, Ryan Moore, Taylor Redfern and Nickolas Wright. Expressive therapist Amy Huxtable — who nominated the team — says they work with one of the most challenging units. “Our youngest patients who come to our facility are greeted with friendly and caring faces. This team is incredibly effective at reducing worry and homesickness," Huxtable says. "This team works well with the patients and works seamlessly with each other. Their level of cohesion is astounding." This award recognizes individuals in any support role, not covered by other recognition, who demonstrate extraordinary levels of care, professionalism and leadership.

We're excited the Kansas City Royals are back in the postseason! Dr. Vincent Key, who leads our care team as the Royals' medical director and head team physician, discusses the grind of a 162-game season and the players' preparation for the playoffs.

A patient who experienced a traumatic birth earlier this year nominated Matias Cabello, RN, for the DAISY Award, describing her two days with the nurse as “unforgettable”. The patient developed preeclampsia after being discharged, and upon readmissions was placed in the Center for Advanced Heart Care. Cabello advocated for her to be able to breastfeed her newborn daughter. “This nurse knew how important breast feeding my baby was to me. It was the only thing that made me feel good through this difficult time being away from her. This nurse got me a fridge, breast pump and all the accessories I needed to pump. I was able to establish my milk supply because he came in my room every two hours to encourage me to pump,” the patient wrote in her nomination. “He was the perfect blend of nurturing and persistent. He was gentle when I needed him to be and stern when I needed the extra push or reminder to rest. The nurses also lit up with joy when my daughter came to visit.” The patient who says she is a newly graduated nurse says she learned a lot from Cabello. “I learned how I want to advocate for my patients and how I want my own bedside manner to be. I'm sure he is excellent with heart patients, but in my humble opinion he missed his calling in OB,” she wrote. “Matias made me feel heard, seen, respected and validated. He was truly the start to my healing emotionally and physically.”

The wife of a patient nominated Kayla Pfannenstiel, RN, for the DAISY Award. She wrote in Pfannenstiel's nomination that her husband was nervous about having a bone marrow transplant. She credited Pfannenstiel for lifting his spirits and making their journey easier. “I am telling you this nurse goes above and beyond. Kayla is an 11 out of 10,” she wrote. “This nurse came into the room with a ninja headband on playing the song ‘Eye of the Tiger’ on her phone. It was wonderful. My husband's eyes lit up and he was so excited! She said, ‘you got this’” Her enthusiasm inspired the couple to find a way to help others on their cancer journey. They have been dressing up in costumes when they visit the clinic to cheer up other patients. Pfannenstiel has helped capture those moments. “She always took pictures with us in our costumes and gave my husband so much encouragement. Kayla is in our journey book, a book about my husband’s journey through this terrible disease,” the wife explained. “My husband can be so down or feeling so bad and this nurse just brings him up and it just brightens my face and my heart. My husband is the love of my life. I cannot say enough things about Kayla. She is just amazing. We look forward to seeing her every visit.”

Congratulations to Nathan Shrader, RN, who was recently honored with the DAISY Extraordinary Nurse Award for his exceptional, compassionate care for one of our pediatric patients undergoing cancer treatment. According to the patient’s mother, her son had to stay more than five weeks away from family and friends so that he could receive proton therapy. Being away from friends and family is hard for anyone, especially a young child; however, he found comfort in his care team on even the hardest days. The patient's mother said Shrader went above and beyond for her son ensuring he was always comfortable and not too cold. Shrader always wrapped the patient in his favorite blanket when they brought him back from treatment. She also recalled them having balloons for her son, dressing up as his favorite superhero, Spider-Man, among other things to make the experience a little bit easier on her son.

Congratulations to the six health system employees who recently received their GED diploma after many months of instruction, studying, test-taking and devotion to advance their careers: - Marissa Alejos, Dining Services - Kaitlyn Chappell, Patient Transport Services - Norma Morales, Housekeeping Services - Daisy Rodriguez, Housekeeping Services - Rasheen Tirado, Dining Services - Janell Williams, Dining Services They were able to earn their diplomas though the health system’s “Because We Care” education program that offers employees the opportunity to earn their GED diploma while on the job. Created in 2019, the program is coordinated through Hospitality Services and conducted in partnership with education leaders and faculty from Kansas City Kansas Community College. Including graduates from this most recent ceremony, 33 employees now have received their GED through this unique program.